The Eggplant Black Beauty, 'Solanum melongena', produces broad, egg-shaped fruit with dark purple skin on 24" to 28" plants. Black Beauty grows well in most areas. The large spreading plants are capable of producing 6 to 12 fruits on each plant. Eggplant is a very international vegetable. If nighttime temperatures drop below 60 degrees, the fruit will not set. Eggplant prefers rich, deep, loose soils with large amounts of organic material. Provide 1 inch of water a week if it does not rain.