Genius.
By Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living
If you really want to play a prank on someone this April Fool's Day, which just happens to fall on Easter this year, hide a few of these among the hard-boiled and candy eggs.
Yep, much like the succulents that look just like Easter bunnies, there are actually plants that produce dozens of egg-shaped fruits. As gardening site Park Seed puts it, "Who says Mother Nature hasn't got a sense of humor?"
Also known as Ornamental Eggplant, or the scientific Solanum ovigerum, these "Easter egg plants" are really a type of miniature eggplant. The size of a hen's eggs, the small fruits start out white but then ripen into pretty pastel shades including cream, orange, yellow, and green (now that's a new kind of natural egg dye!).
Yep, much like the succulents that look just like Easter bunnies, there are actually plants that produce dozens of egg-shaped fruits. As gardening site Park Seed puts it, "Who says Mother Nature hasn't got a sense of humor?"
Also known as Ornamental Eggplant, or the scientific Solanum ovigerum, these "Easter egg plants" are really a type of miniature eggplant. The size of a hen's eggs, the small fruits start out white but then ripen into pretty pastel shades including cream, orange, yellow, and green (now that's a new kind of natural egg dye!).
Can You Eat Easter Egg Plants?
As delicious as they look, you may not want to eat them. Gena Lorainne, horticulturist and planting expert at Fantastic Services, tells CountryLiving.com that the plant is classified as inedible, but since they're non-poisonous, some people do eat them.
"It's just that the 'eggs' don't offer much of a taste, besides having low nutritional value," she explains. "Tasty recipes for cooking them do exist. If you plan on consuming the fruits, make sure you ripe them before they mature. Overripe fruits turn yellow to orange or sometimes green-ish and may taste slightly bitter."
"It's just that the 'eggs' don't offer much of a taste, besides having low nutritional value," she explains. "Tasty recipes for cooking them do exist. If you plan on consuming the fruits, make sure you ripe them before they mature. Overripe fruits turn yellow to orange or sometimes green-ish and may taste slightly bitter."
How to Grow Easter Egg Plants
"This plant grows best outdoors but because of its small size [around 12 inches tall], is well-suited for growing in a container," Amy Enfield, Ph.D., consumer horticulturist at Scotts Miracle-Gro, tells CountryLiving.com. "The plants form purple flowers in late spring or early summer and then the fruit begin to form during the height of summer."
When to Plant: In late winter, plant the seeds in an indoor container. "The seedlings can be transplanted outdoors into a container, raised bed, or in-ground in spring after the last chance of frost has passed," Enfield says.
Sunlight Requirements: At least six hours of sunlight each day. If growing indoors, place under a grow light or in an area that gets plenty of light.
Soil and Watering Recommendations: To prevent waterlogged roots, use a well-drained soil. "Easter egg plant should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry and fed using a slow-release plant food," she adds.
See more at: Country Living
When to Plant: In late winter, plant the seeds in an indoor container. "The seedlings can be transplanted outdoors into a container, raised bed, or in-ground in spring after the last chance of frost has passed," Enfield says.
Sunlight Requirements: At least six hours of sunlight each day. If growing indoors, place under a grow light or in an area that gets plenty of light.
Soil and Watering Recommendations: To prevent waterlogged roots, use a well-drained soil. "Easter egg plant should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry and fed using a slow-release plant food," she adds.
See more at: Country Living
