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Okra

Abelmoschus esculentus
Also known as: Lady's Fingers, Gumbo, Bhindi, Bamia, Ochro

Okra is a vegetable in the Malvaceae family. It grows best in full sun with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 2-13. Plants reach harvest about 42–75 days after planting and sit about 12 inches apart.

Varieties

21 from True Leaf Market, Seeds Now & High Mowing · sorted by days to maturity
  • Blondy42–58 days

    Heirloom; AAS Winner; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    50 days. Blondy Okra Seeds - Non-GMO, Abelmoschus esculentus. Blondy is an AAS winning dwarf Okra great for short seasons. Named after its plentiful creamy light green spineless pods, this plant is a dwarf, growing 3-4" tall, shorter than the average okra plant. Pods are best when harvested at 3 inches, but grow to be 6-7" when fully mature. Pods are spineless and ribbed. A great addition to the home garden, these plants are quick to mature and produce plentiful harvests.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Dwarf Long Pod42–58 days

    Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow

    Shop all Okra Seeds 📚 Okra Grow Guide The Dwarf Long Green Pod variety produces heavy yields of 8" long by 1 ½" wide dark green okra This spineless variety produces earlier and higher yields than other varieties Days to Maturity | 50 days Okra Seeds | Sow okra seeds in fertile, nitrogen rich soil. Plant seeds about 12" apart. Click here for complete Okra grow guide Additional Details Okra is often known as "Lady's Fingers" outside of the United States.

    View on Seeds Now
  • Clemson Spineless 8047–63 days

    Productive; 3-4” pods

    Very productive variety with early, bright green pods. This new and improved version of the tried-and-true Clemson Spineless variety offers up pain-free picking and earlier production. The plants yield more than the previous incarnation and plants have a taller, more open habit. Harvest young for peak tenderness.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant. Okra is a warm-season annual. It prefers rich soils that are well drained. Plants are fairly drought and heat tolerant. Start seedlings indoors 4-6 weeks before planting date. Optimal germination temperature is 80-90°F. Transplant after last frost. Pollination may be poor when temperatures fluctuate above 90°F or below 55°F. Pick fruits at 3-4” long and when they snap from the plant. Store at 45-50°F with a relative humidity of 85-95%.

    View on High Mowing
  • Cows Horn47–63 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Abelmoschus esculentus (55 days) This heirloom okra dates back to around the Civil War. It has a twisted shape that resembles a cow's horn. These large pods can reach 14" and still stay crunchy, meaty and flavorful.~420 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Cows Horn (Organic)47–63 days

    Heirloom; Organic; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Abelmoschus esculentus. (55 days) This heirloom okra dates back to around the Civil War. It has a twisted shape that resembles a cow's horn. These large pods can reach 14" and still stay crunchy, meaty and flavorful

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Emerald Green Velvet47–63 days

    Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow

    Shop all Okra Seeds 📚 Okra Grow Guide The Emerald Green Velvet Okra plant grows to about 2' tall and produces heavy yields of 7-9" long spineless dark green okra - The pods are thick walled but very tender. Stays tender even when very large - Thrives in HOT temperatures - Retains its bright green color even when they're frozen or canned - This is an excellent variety for soups and stews - Can even be fried or boiled to your liking Days to Maturity | 55 days Okra Seeds | Sow okra seeds in fertile, nitrogen rich soil. Plant seeds about 12" apart. Click here for complete Okra grow guide Additional Details Okra is often known as "Lady's Fingers" outside of the United States.

    View on Seeds Now
  • Jade Okra47–63 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Abelmoschus esculentus (55 days) Jade Okra Seeds. Jade okra was developed by the University of Arkansas and released around 1991. That wouldn't make it an heirloom, but it is an open pollinated variety and properly pollinated you can keep seed from it to replant next year. Approx. 420 seeds/ounce.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Perkins Long Pod47–63 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Abelmoschus esculentus (55 days) An old favorite in the South this heirloom okra is vigorous growing 5' tall. Perkins Long pod produces a bright green pod, that is 8" long. Approx. 420 Seeds per ounce.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Red Burgundy47–63 days

    Can tolerate hot temperatures; Direct sow; Grows well in full sun; Grows well with raised beds; Matures in <90 days; Start indoors; Super easy to grow

    Shop all Okra Seeds 📚 Okra Grow Guide AAS Winner. Plant produces excellent yields of burgundy colored okra - Pods can be harvested up to 8" long and still remain tender - This variety has deep red colored stems with green leaves - Thrives in HOT temperatures Days to Maturity | Appx. 55 days Okra Seeds | Sow okra seeds in fertile, nitrogen rich soil. Plant seeds about 12" apart. Click here for complete Okra grow guide Additional Details Okra is often known as "Lady's Fingers" outside of the United States.

    View on Seeds Now
  • Jambalaya 2.048–55 days

    Hybrid; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Jambalaya 2.0 Okra Seeds. Abelmoschus esculentus. 55 to 58 Days to Maturity. Non-GMO, F2 Hybrid. Annual. This extra early maturing okra variety is very compact and has small leaves. It offers high yields of very uniform dark green shiny pods. Okra can be prepared fresh, boiled, fried, canned and pickled. Use in salad, stir-fries, gumbo, or pickled. Outstanding tempurastyle or fried with cornmeal. Approx 500 Seeds / Oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Clemson Spineless (Organic)49–67 days

    Heirloom; Organic; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    (58 days) I'm sure you heard Grandpa or Grandma talk about Clemson Spineless if you live down South. Well, this is an improvement on that same tasty okra. Clemson Spineless, also known as Clemson Spineless 80, has longer pods, a more open form and LESS prickly spines. Ever so important when harvesting okra. Clemson Spineless 80 produces earlier than many okra varieties and can have some real heavy yields. Pods are tastiest around 3".

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Clemson Spineless50–70 days

    Heirloom; Vegetable; Annual; Container; AAS Winner

    50-70 days. Clemson Spineless Okra Seeds. Abelmoschus esculentus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Also known as Clemson Spineless 80. Clemson Spineless okra debutedas the 1939 All-America Selections Vegetable Winner is a highly popular variety for its fantastic texture and flavor. Pods grow 6-9" long with slightly tapered ends and ribbing. Plants are 3 feet tall. Pods are most tender when they are harvested at 3" long. Delicious fried, and used in soups and cooked dishes. Fine quality and prolific. ~500 seeds per ounce.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Jing Orange50–60 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Jing Orange Okra Seeds. 30 to 60 days to maturity. Abelmoschus esculentus. Heirloom, Annual. Jing Orange is an Asian okra, known for it is stunning red-orange color. Approximately 500 seeds/ounce.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Burgundy55–75 days

    Ornamental and edible; 3-6” pods

    High-yielding plants with beautiful, red pods that stay tender as they gain in size. This striking red stemmed, green-leaved plant is highly productive and has performed well in our hoophouse trials in Northern Vermont. The gorgeous, cream-colored flowers are edible, and pods left on the plant to dry make great additions to floral arrangements. Unavailable in 2024 A bin of freshly harvested okra at Garden Variety Harvests in Roanoke, Virginia.

    Growing notes: Days to maturity are from transplant. Okra is a warm-season annual. It prefers rich soils that are well drained. Plants are fairly drought and heat tolerant. Start seedlings indoors 4-6 weeks before planting date. Optimal germination temperature is 80-90°F. Transplant after last frost. Pollination may be poor when temperatures fluctuate above 90°F or below 55°F. Pick fruits at 3-4” long and when they snap from the plant. Store at 45-50°F with a relative humidity of 85-95%.

    View on High Mowing
  • Emerald55–70 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    55-70 days. Emerald Okra Seeds - Non-GMO, Abelmoschus esculentus. These heirloom Emerald okra plants are 5-8 feet tall and produce smooth bright green 7" long pods. They were developed and used by Campbell's Soup Company in the 1950"s. The pods keep their green color when cooked and stay tender at bigger sizes. For the best flavor, pick at 4".

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Louisiana Green Velvet55–65 days

    Heirloom; AAS Winner; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    55-65 days. Louisiana Green Velvet Okra Seeds - Non-GMO, Heirloom, Abelmoschus esculentus. This 1941 AAS winner is large standing between 5 and 8 feet tall. It thrives in heat and humidity, and needs 2 solid months of true southern summer weather. Plants produce yellow blooms and dark green pods with oak shaped leaves. They are strong and produce productive yields. These pods are good for processing and grow to 8", but should be harvested prematurely. They are dark green, round, slender and spineless.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Rainbow Fiesta55–65 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Rainbow Fiesta Okra Seeds. 30 to 60 days to maturity. Abelmoschus esculentus. Open Pollinated. Annual. Approximately 500 seeds/ounce.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Hill Country Red60–70 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    60-70 days. Hill Country Red Okra Seeds. Abelmoschus esculentus. Non-GMO. Heirloom. Hill Country Red okra seeds mature to 6 feet tall and is a good producer of thick green pods tinted with red at their ends and stems. Pods are deeply ribbed and have a firm texture with light yellow seeds inside. Okra seeds thrive in the heat and are 6" long when fully mature, but are most tender when picked at 2-3" long. They gain their deep red tint as they mature. Harvest often to keep them coming. ~500 seeds per ounce.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Star Of David60–65 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Abelmoschus esculentus (60-65 days) Star of David okra is an old Israeli heirloom that has a unique six-pointed, geometric star shape resembling the Star of David. ~400 seeds/oz.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Star of David (Organic)60–75 days

    Heirloom; Organic; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Organic Star of David Okra Seeds. 60 - 75 days to maturity. Abelmoschus esculentus. Heirloom, Non-GMO, Annual. An Israeli variety, Star of David grows 8 to 10 feet tall stalks. ~ 500 Seeds/ounce.

    View on True Leaf Market
  • Silver Queen65 days

    Heirloom; Container; Vegetable; Annual

    Abelmoschus esculentus (65 days) Silver Queen Okra truly deserves to be the belle of the Southern Ball. Very tender okra.

    View on True Leaf Market
Family
Malvaceae
Category
Vegetable
Form
Stalk
Lifecycle
annual
Zone
2-13
Height
2.5–10 ft
Spread
3–5 ft
Sun
Full sun

Plant spacing

1 plant per square footSquare-foot planting diagram: one okra fills a 1-foot square, spaced 12 inches from its neighbors.
1 plant per square foot

In a square-foot bed, space okra about 12 in apart — that fits 1 plant in each 1-foot square (1×1). Wider rows or containers space the same.

Water
Medium

Plan your okra planting

Add okra to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.

Start your free plan →

At a glance

Days to harvest
42–75 days
From transplant or sow to first harvest
Harvest style
Keep picking
Crops over several weeks
After harvest
Use right away
Quality drops fast past peak
Frost tolerance
Warm-season · to ~45°F
Lowest temperature the foliage usually survives
Germination
~50%
Typical minimum germination rate

Storing & preserving

Best used right away — quality drops fast. Most keep best refrigerated; storage crops prefer a cool, dry spot.

  • Freeze: Blanch briefly, cool, then freeze — keeps color and texture.
  • Can: Pressure-can low-acid vegetables; water-bath only pickled/acidified ones.

General home-preservation guidance — for tested processing times and safety, follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Growing timeline

When to plant and harvest okraPlanting timeline for okra, relative to last frost: start indoors from 2 weeks before last frost to 2 weeks after last frost; grow from 2 weeks after last frost to 8 weeks after last frost; harvest from 8 weeks after last frost to 13 weeks after last frost.Start indoorsGrowHarvestLast frostTransplant
Start okra indoors ~4 weeks before transplanting 2 weeks after last frost; first harvest 8 weeks after last frost.
Seed to transplant
21-28 days
Outdoor planting
14 to 21 days vs frost
Propagation
Seed
Schedule anchor
Last Frost

Companion planting — with cited sources

From US/Canada cooperative-extension publications and peer-reviewed studies. Evidence-tier dots show how strongly each recommendation is backed: ●●● peer-reviewed mechanism · ●● extension consensus · traditional knowledge with a plausible mechanism.

Pairs well with (2)

  • CowpeaEvidence tier B: Extension consensus across multiple US/Canada land-grant institutionsn-fixation, predator-attract

    Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) interplanted with okra is a documented Southern US/Caribbean polyculture: cowpea fixes N, attracts beneficial insects (ants tending extrafloral nectaries help suppress some lepidopteran pests on adjacent okra), and shares heat tolerance. UGA documents.

    Region: Southeast and Gulf Coast.

    Source: S11

  • Sweet BasilEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationpollinator-attract, pest-deter

    Basil interplanted with okra is a traditional Southern practice; basil volatiles may repel some thrips and whitefly, and the flowering basil supplies nectar for parasitoid wasps. Mechanism plausible but empirical replication in okra systems is limited.

    Region: Southeastern US summer gardens.

    Source: S11

Avoid planting near (1)

  • Common TomatoEvidence tier C: Traditional practice with plausible mechanism but limited empirical replicationalternate-host-pest, disease-host

    Okra and tomato share several pests (stink bugs, root-knot nematode) and Verticillium susceptibility; Southern extension generally suggests not following tomato with okra in nematode-prone soils.

    Region: Southeast.

    Source: S11

Sources cited

S11
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension

Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations

When to feed, prune & water

Attract beneficial insects and protect pollinators

Protection
  • Routine carePlant insectary flowers and tolerate light pestsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Grow a diversity of flowering plants (including small-flowered umbels and asters) to feed predators and parasitoids, and tolerate low pest numbers so natural enemies have prey to stick around.

    Source: UC IPM; UMN Extension

  • Routine careNever spray open bloomsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Avoid insecticides on flowering plants and apply any needed sprays in the evening when pollinators aren't active, and favor selective products over broad-spectrum ones to spare bees and beneficials.

    Source: UC IPM

Harvest okra pods young and often

Harvest
  • Routine carePick small and keep up with it· every 2 daysstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Cut pods while they are still tender, about 2 to 4 inches long, because they turn woody and inedible within a few days. Harvest every day or two, since picking regularly and not letting pods mature keeps the plant flowering and producing.

    Source: Clemson HGIC: Okra; UGA Extension: Home Garden Okra

Mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture

Mulch
  • Routine careApply organic mulch around plantsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Spread a few inches of straw, shredded leaves, or compost around established plants (keeping it off stems) to hold soil moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature; wait until soil has warmed for heat-loving crops.

    Source: UMN Extension; Missouri Botanical Garden

Clean up debris and sanitize at season end

Sanitation

Unusual this time of year.

  • Routine careRemove spent plants and fallen debrisstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Pull and clear old plants, dropped fruit, and leaf litter at season end, since many pests and diseases overwinter in this debris; dispose of diseased material rather than composting it.

    Source: UMN Extension; Cornell

  • Routine careClean tools, stakes, and cagesmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Wash and sanitize stakes, cages, and tools that touched diseased plants before storing or reusing them to avoid carrying pathogens into next season.

    Source: Cornell; UMN Extension

Harden off seedlings

Protection

Unusual this time of year.

Read: starting seeds indoors

Something looks wrong?

Describe what you see on your okraand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.

Root-knot nematodes

Nematodesevere

Symptoms: galls or knots along roots; stunted plants; yellowing and midday wilting that recovers at night; poor vigor despite good care; patchy poor growth in beds

  • CulturalConfirm with a soil test, then rotate (manage, not cure)strong evidence — extension confidence

    Root-knot nematodes can't be eradicated from garden soil, so confirm via a county Extension nematode assay and rotate beds to non-hosts or resistant varieties (look for VFN-type resistance in tomato).

    Source: Clemson HGIC; UF/IFAS

  • CulturalPlant suppressive cover/rotation cropsmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    A solid planting of French marigolds grown 2+ months and turned under, or cover crops such as sorghum-sudangrass or cowpea, can lower populations between susceptible crops.

    Source: UF/IFAS; Clemson HGIC

  • CulturalSanitation and organic mattermoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Avoid moving infested soil on tools or transplants, build soil organic matter to support beneficial organisms, and keep plants well watered to help them tolerate root damage.

    Source: UC IPM; Clemson HGIC

Japanese beetles

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: leaves skeletonized between veins; lacy chewed foliage; metallic green-bronze beetles clustered on plants; feeding worst in warm midsummer sun

Spider mites

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: fine pale stippling/speckling on leaves; fine webbing on undersides in hot dry spells; leaves bronzing and dropping

  • CulturalHose down and raise humidity· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Mites thrive in hot, dry, dusty conditions. Spray foliage (especially undersides) with water to dislodge them and reduce dust.

    Source: UC IPM

  • OrganicInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil - label use only· every 5 days · ~2 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Apply to undersides per label; mites resist many products, so soaps/oils are preferred. Not in extreme heat.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

Stink bugs (brown marmorated and native)

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: cloudy or corky spots on fruit; dimpled or pitted fruit; catfacing on tomatoes; shield-shaped brown or green bugs; barrel-shaped egg clusters on leaf undersides

  • CulturalExclude with row cover and clear nearby weedsstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Cover susceptible crops with floating row cover before bugs arrive, and remove weeds and groundcover near the garden in early spring where stink bugs feed before moving to crops. Lift covers on flowering crops that need pollination.

    Source: UMN Extension; UC IPM Pest Notes

  • CulturalHand-pick bugs and egg masses· every 3 daysstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Scout in the morning and drop adults, nymphs, and egg clusters into a bucket of soapy water; regular hand-picking keeps low populations in check since most garden insecticides work poorly on adults.

    Source: UMN Extension; UC IPM

  • OrganicSpot-treat young nymphs if numbers climb· every 1 wkmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    If small nymphs are abundant, a botanical such as pyrethrin or azadirachtin, or insecticidal oil, may give some suppression per the label; adults are largely unaffected, so rely mainly on exclusion and hand-picking.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

Whiteflies

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: clouds of tiny white insects fly up when plants are disturbed; yellowing stippled leaves; sticky honeydew and black sooty mold; weak stunted growth

  • CulturalRemove infested leaves and hose off· every 4 daysmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Pick off and discard heavily infested lower leaves and rinse colonies off undersides with a strong spray of water; yellow sticky cards help monitor numbers.

    Source: UC IPM: Whiteflies

  • OrganicApply a labeled soap or oil· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    Apply a labeled insecticidal soap or neem oil per the label, covering leaf undersides; these reduce but won't eliminate whiteflies, so repeat as needed.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM: Whiteflies

Aphids

Pestlow

Symptoms: clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects on new growth and undersides; sticky honeydew or sooty mold; curled distorted new leaves; ants tending them

  • CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.

    Source: UC IPM: Aphids

  • OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: UC IPM

Aphids and whiteflies on okra

Pestlow

Symptoms: clusters of small soft insects on shoot tips and leaf undersides; tiny white flies rising when plants are disturbed; sticky honeydew and black sooty mold; curled or yellowing leaves; ants tending the colonies

  • CulturalRinse off and scout· every 4 daysstrong evidence — extension confidence

    Aphids and whiteflies appear early in the season; knock light infestations off with a strong spray of water to the leaf undersides and let lady beetles and other natural enemies catch up. Controlling these sap feeders also removes the honeydew that draws ants.

    Source: Clemson HGIC: Okra; UGA Extension: Home Garden Okra

  • OrganicSoap or oil if needed· every 1 wkmoderate evidence — extension confidence

    For heavier infestations, apply a labeled insecticidal soap or horticultural oil per the label, covering leaf undersides where these pests feed. Repeat as directed since these contact materials only kill what they touch.

    Always follow the product label — it is the law.

    Source: Clemson HGIC: Okra; UGA Extension: Home Garden Okra