FrostCal

When to Plant Eggplant in Missouri

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Jan 28 – Feb 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 9 in Sikeston and as late as May 5 in Kirksville.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 65–85 days

Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.

Eggplant Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Kansas CityJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
St. LouisJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
SpringfieldJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
ColumbiaJan 25 – Feb 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
IndependenceJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 24 – May 1
Lee's SummitFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 27 – May 4
O'FallonJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
Saint JosephFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
Saint CharlesJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Blue SpringsJan 27 – Feb 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
Saint PetersJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
FlorissantJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
JoplinJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 23 – Apr 30
ChesterfieldJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
Jefferson CityJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 22 – Apr 29
Cape GirardeauJan 25 – Feb 8Apr 19 – Apr 26
OakvilleJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
WildwoodFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 26 – May 3
WentzvilleJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 24 – May 1
University CityJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
BallwinJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
LibertyFeb 8 – Feb 22May 3 – May 10
RaytownJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 24 – May 1
MehlvilleJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 20 – Apr 27
KirkwoodJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 22
Maryland HeightsJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
GladstoneJan 24 – Feb 7Apr 18 – Apr 25
HazelwoodJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 16 – Apr 23
GrandviewJan 27 – Feb 10Apr 21 – Apr 28
Webster GrovesJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 15 – Apr 22

Showing the 30 most populous of 90 Missouri cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Missouri cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant eggplant in Missouri?

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Jan 28 – Feb 11, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 9 in Sikeston and as late as May 5 in Kirksville.

When is the last frost in Missouri?

The average last spring frost in Missouri ranges from March 26 in Sikeston to April 21 in Kirksville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do eggplant take to grow?

Eggplant typically take 65–85 days from planting to harvest. Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.

Other Crops in Missouri

When to plant eggplant in other states

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