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Comparing Eggplant vs. Armenian Cucumber vs. Artichoke

The comparison

Eggplant vs. Armenian Cucumber vs. Artichoke

Units
Growing facts for Eggplant, Armenian Cucumber and Artichoke, side by side
Fact
EggplantSolanum melongena
Armenian CucumberCucumis melo var. flexuosus
ArtichokeCynara cardunculus var. scolymus
DifficultyModerateModerateChallenging
Life cycleAnnualAnnualNot yet verified
Germination time8–12 daysNot yet verified8–12 days
Germination temperature21–32 °C70–90 °FNot yet verified21–26 °C70–79 °F
Sowing depth1.5 cm½ inNot yet verified6 mm¼ in
Spacing between plants61 cm2 ftNot yet verified46 cm18 in
Days to maturity100–120 days from sowingNot yet verifiedNot yet verified
SunFull sunFull sunFull sun
WaterModerateModerateNot yet verified
ContainersYesNot yet verifiedNot yet verified
Frost toleranceTender (no frost)Tender (no frost)Not yet verified
Soil pHpH 5.5–6.8Not yet verifiedpH 6.5–8.0
Links

Up close

Meet the seeds

What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.

  • Two glossy purple eggplants hanging from a plant with green leavesVegetables

    Eggplant

    Solanum melongena

    Difficulty: ModerateGrows in pots

    Eggplant is a warm-season annual that needs full sun, warm weather and a long season, so many gardeners start with transplants.

    How to grow eggplant
  • Armenian cucumber fruit, long and curved, growing on the vine with leaves behindVegetables

    Armenian Cucumber

    Cucumis melo var. flexuosus

    Difficulty: Moderate

    Armenian cucumber is a warm-season vine in the melon species, grown from seed for its edible fruit, which is eaten fresh or in salads.

    How to grow armenian cucumber
  • Globe artichoke buds growing on tall plants in a sunlit garden bedVegetables

    Artichoke

    Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

    Difficulty: Challenging

    Globe artichokes are large, thistle-like plants grown for their edible flower buds. They need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Seed results are variable, so many growers start with plants or divisions.

    How to grow artichoke

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The table, row by row

How to read a comparison

Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.

  1. Sprouting

    Germination time and temperature

    How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.

  2. Sowing

    Sowing depth and spacing

    How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.

  3. Timing

    Days to maturity and life cycle

    How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.

  4. Light and water

    Sun and water

    Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.

  5. Space and weather

    Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH

    Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.

  6. Pets

    Toxicity to cats and dogs

    Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

Quick wins

Fastest to sprout

Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.

Pet friendly

Safe around cats and dogs

Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.

Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.

Comparing

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Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.