Red Ruffled Eggplant Seeds (Hmong Red)

Add a splash of color to the garden with Red Ruffled eggplant, also known as Hmong Red. Its ribbed, red-orange fruits look like miniature pumpkins and grow on compact plants about 2–3 feet tall. This variety is grown for its ornamental appeal as well as its fruit, which is distinctly bitter and used in Asian cooking.

At a glance

• Variety: Red Ruffled / Hmong Red
• Botanical name: Solanum aethiopicum
• Days to maturity: Approximately 65–75 days from transplant
• Fruit: Ribbed red-orange, about 3 inches
• Plant height: About 2–3 feet
• Available sizes: 10, 25, 100, or 500 seeds

Start seeds indoors

Sow seeds in trays in warm seed-starting mix, lightly covering them. A 24-hour soak in warm water before sowing may help prepare the seeds. Keep the mix warm and evenly moist. Transplant seedlings outdoors only after frost danger has passed.

Grow and care

Choose a sheltered, sunny location and space plants about 20–24 inches apart. Keep soil consistently moist and provide regular feeding during active growth. Red Ruffled eggplant can also be grown under cover or in suitable containers.

Harvest and enjoy

Harvest the fruits as they develop their red-orange color. Their bitter flavor is a traditional fit for Asian dishes; cook them as part of a prepared recipe. The distinctive ribbed fruit also makes an eye-catching display in the garden or a floral arrangement.