Basics
- Ease of Growing
- Moderate
- Grown as
- Annual
- Days to Maturity
- 49-65 (Spring/Summer)
- Growing Habit
- Bush
- Hardiness
- Tender
Okra is heat loving and can't stand any cold whatsoever (minimum air temperature 75 degrees F).
- Crops
- Spring Transplant, Summer
- Growing Season
- Short, Long
- Cultivar Type
- -
- Growing Conditions
- Warm, Hot
Okra is heat loving. Sow seeds outside in spring after all danger of frost has passed, when the soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F. It's a good succession plant after early, spring-maturing crops. Expect good yields on this 4 foot tall, bushy plant.
If the growing season is short, you might use cloches or black plastic to warm the soil.
- Outdoor Growing Temp
- 65°F - 95°F
- Min Outdoor Soil Temp
- 60°F
The soil should be warm before you plant (60˚F minimum) or it may rot before it germinates. The warmer the soil the faster it will germinate.
- Start Indoors
- Yes
- Start Outdoors
- Yes
- Light
- Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot)
Okra is a tropical plant and needs full sun
- Water
- High
Okra must have a steady supply of water at all times. It shouldn't be too wet, however, as the plants are prone to fungus diseases when growing in cool moist conditions.
- Feeder
- Heavy
Okra is a hungry plant and needs plenty of nutrients for best growth (it especially loves nitrogen). If your soil isn't very fertile give them a liquid feed every 2 to 3 weeks.
- Suitability
- High heat, Needs lots of space
- Small Gardens?
- Yes
- Containers?
- No
- Attracts beneficial insects?
- No
- Color
- Burgundy
- Fruit Size
- 6.0 - 8.0"
- Plant Height
- 48.0 - 60.0"
- Plant Diameter
- 12.0 - 18.0"
- Hardiness Zone
- 6-11
- Disease Resistance
- Taste Profile
They are best tasting when eaten the same day as they're harvested.
Okra is used as the thickening agent in Cajun gumbo, but it also can be boiled, broiled, fried, roasted, steamed, canned, or pickled
- Rotation Group
- Fruits: Solanaceae + Cucurbits