Crop type: Aubergines
Solanum melongena ‘Clara’
Common name: Aubergine ‘Clara’
Crop slug: aubergines
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Clara’ is a bushy annual aubergine distinguished by a heavy crop of egg-shaped white fruits. The fruits are medium-sized and may be slightly ribbed, with white skin and white flesh. Green foliage and purple or white flowers provide the supporting plant character.
Plants reach about one metre and mature early. The pale fruit makes this cultivar immediately different from conventional dark-purple aubergines, while its contained bushy habit allows protected growing in a greenhouse or a sufficiently warm summer position.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.5–1 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.5–1 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
Allow a broadly similar height and spread. Even within this moderate size range, fruiting stems may need support once the crop gains weight.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Chalk, clay, loam and sand
- Moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline or neutral
‘Clara’ tolerates a broad range of soil textures and pH values. The useful constant is a fertile, moisture-retentive root zone that drains freely, supporting continuous growth without waterlogging.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- East-, north-, south- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H1c — able to grow outside during warm summer weather but requiring protection once temperatures approach 5°C
The listed aspects are broad, but full sun and shelter remain essential. Use a greenhouse for reliable heat, or give outdoor plants the warmest protected site available after frost.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
| Season | Flowers | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | — | Green | — |
| Summer | Purple or white | Green | White |
| Autumn | Purple or white | Green | White |
The white, sometimes lightly ribbed fruits are the cultivar's defining visual feature. An em dash records that the RHS table does not list a feature for that season.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Solanum contains annual and perennial plants as well as evergreen or deciduous shrubs and twining climbers. Its five-lobed flowers have conspicuous stamens and are followed by fleshy fruits.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage and strong light. Plants can spend summer outdoors in suitably warm conditions, but protected cultivation offers steadier temperatures for this tender crop. Water consistently while flowers and fruits develop.
Propagation
Raise ‘Clara’ from seed indoors. Warm germination and bright seedling conditions provide the long season needed for early fruiting.
Suggested locations
- Edible crop beds in warm sheltered gardens
- Conservatories
- Greenhouses
Pruning
The profile assigns pruning group 1, meaning only minimal routine pruning is needed. For crop management, remove damaged growth and follow normal aubergine pinching and support practice without hard pruning.
Pests
Possible pests include aphids, glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite and two-spotted mite. Check protected plants regularly because warm dry greenhouse conditions can favour rapid population growth.
Diseases
Honey fungus is listed as a possible but rare disease. Healthy growing conditions and clean cultivation reduce avoidable plant stress.