How to Grow Okra Plants in Your Home Garden

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a plant known for its long, fuzz-covered pods and fibrous and tender leaves. Sometimes referred to as ladies’ fingers or gumbo, okra plants are a member of the hibiscus family. While they are culinarily used as veggies, okras are actually a fruit. Many people harvest okra in their vegetable gardens to use in soups, stews, and other recipes.

Okra is resilient and can grow in many USDA Hardiness Zones. However, okra is traditionally grown in warm climates—colder soil temperatures can produce okra, but the seed pods will not be as large.

The growing season for okra is in the spring and summer, times of warm weather. Plant your okra in fertile soil and full sun at least two weeks after the final frost date. Plant seeds one inch deep into the ground, and with proper care and watering, your okra pods will be ready for harvesting by late summer.

You can add okra to your fruit and vegetable garden when the temperature is consistently sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Follow these steps to plant okra:

1. 1. Choose your okra variety. There are many varieties of okra. 'Cajun Delight' is great for gumbo, and 'Clemson Spineless' is popular for frying or pickling.
2. 2. Work with proper soil. Okra seedlings will do best when the soil pH is neutral, somewhere in the 6.5 to 7 range. Use well-draining soil in a sunny area. You can improve the fertility of your soil by mixing it with compost and organic matter.
3. 3. Plant your seeds. Burrow the okra seeds an inch deep into your soil, and space out the seed clumps by about ten inches.
4. 4. Water regularly. Okra can withstand heat and mild dry spells, but you’ll want to give your plant at least an inch of water each week, perhaps a tad more if the weather is warmer than eighty degrees Fahrenheit.
5. 5. Tend through maturity. Okra plants will reach maturity in about two months when properly cared for and watered. At that time, the plant can produce pods for a good two or three months.

When you see green pods on your plant, it’s almost time for harvesting okra. Follow these steps to harvest with care:

1. 1. Keep an eye out for pods. Small green pods will start to form about two months after planting. The pods will appear at the base of the plant, which can grow to be about four feet tall.
2. 2. Wait until the pods are long enough for harvesting. When you first see a pod, it means it’s almost time to harvest: they can double their length and grow to picking size in just three days. The pods should be about two to four inches long; when they reach that length, they can be harvested.
3. 3. Wear gloves and long sleeves. Okra leaves have stiff hairs, which can cause mild skin irritation or itching, so be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves while harvesting.
4. 4. Use pruning shears. Cut the pods with a short stub from the stem still attached. If the plant grows to be six feet or taller, you can prune by cutting off the top quarter of your okra plant.
5. 5. Continue to monitor. Pods will continue to grow for two months or so after you spot the first one, so return to your garden regularly to harvest the fruits of your labor.
6. 6. Use or store. Begin cooking with your okra, or keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight bag to maximize shelf life. You can also freeze your okra—frozen okra will keep up to nine months, so you can have plenty to cook with until next year’s harvest.

Deciding on the best okra for your personal fruit and vegetable garden depends on which of them best fits your personal tastes. Here are ten types of okra to consider:

1. 1. ‘Alabama Red’: The okra cultivar Alabama red sprouts initially red pods from red stems. Other prominent okras of the same coloring include ‘Hill Country Red,’ ‘Bowling Red,’ and ‘Red Velvet’.
2. 2. ‘Annie Oakley’: This okra hybrid produces a strong crop for its harvesters. Its companion cultivar, ‘Annie Oakley II,’ is also worth considering.
3. 3. ‘Blondy’: This type of okra gets its name from its more pale green appearance.
4. 4. ‘Burgundy’: Burgundy okra is notable, as the name would suggest, due to its deep burgundy pods. It also sprouts yellow flowers.
5. 5. ‘Cajun Delight’: Originating in the southern part of the United States, ‘Cajun Delight’ okra is a regular ingredient in gumbo stew, a Louisiana staple.
6. 6. ‘Clemson Spineless’: This okra derives its name from its spineless pods.
7. 7. ‘Emerald Green Velvet’: Emerald Green Velvet okra is an heirloom variety (or open-pollinated type) of okra notable for vibrant, dark green pods. ‘Louisiana Green Velvet’ okra is a close alternative to consider.
8. 8. ‘Perkins Long Pod’: This type of okra has four-inch to six-inch pods, justifying their common name.
9. 9. ‘Silver Queen’: Silver Queen okra pods are so light green that they almost look like the precious metal to which their name alludes.
10. 10. ‘Star of David’: Hailing from Israel, this okra variety sprouts pods that are thick and ridged. Each looks like an extended Star of David.

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