• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Okra

Botanical Name
Abelmoschus esculentus
Height
3 to 6 feet
Flowers
2 to 3 inch hibiscus-like with purple throat; yellow, pink, orange-red, red; last just one day but blooms throughout the growing season
Fruit
Pods
Light
Full sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained
Planting & Care
  • Okra is sensitive to cold temperatures
  • Plant seeds outside after soil temperatures have reached 60°F and night temperatures remain above 55°F
  • Seedlings can be started indoors 1 to 2 weeks before the last frost date
  • Plants should be hardened off and transplanted outside after all danger of frost has passed
  • When direct sowing outdoors, plant seeds 1 inch deep in hills 12 to 24 inches apart.  When the seedlings reach 3 inches in height, thin to a single strong plant per hill.
  • Seeds can be soaked in water or wrapped in moist paper towels overnight to speed germination
  • Most varieties can be harvested when pods are tender and immature and reach 2 to 3 inches in length
  • Wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting as okra plants have short hairs that may irritate the skin
  • Use a pruning shear to harvest pods to avoid damage to the plant
  • Pods can quickly become large, tough and woody.  If it is difficult to cut with a shears when harvesting, it is probably too old to use.
Problems
Aphids, cabbage worms, corn earworm, mites, slugs, whitefly, powdery mildew
Varieties
  • Annie Oakley - 52 days to harvest, compact plant, tender pods
  • Clemson Spineless - All-America Selections winner, 4 feet tall plants, pods ready to harvest when 2.5 to 3 inches
  • Candle Fire - All-America Selections winner, non-ribbed bright red pods, plants have red stems and are very attractive in the garden
  • Cajun Delight - AAS winner, 3 to 5 inch tender pods, matures in 50-55 days, 4 feet

Related Content

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


May 17, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 18, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

June 1, 2025
Growing, Harvesting & Preserving Favorite Italian Herbs for Food and Drink Demos
Festa Italiana-Cucina Showcase 
Milwaukee, WI 

June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds

Register here

June 8, 2025
Selecting the Right Hydrangea
for Your Landscape

Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

June 14, 2025
Houseplants 101
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

June 20, 2025 (event 6/20-6/22)
Pollinator Celebration
Vino in the Valley
Maiden Rock, WI
Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win

The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide  

ENTER NOW