Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus • Malvaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
West Africa / South Asia; well-adapted to Southern USA
📅 Days to Maturity
50-65 days; harvest pods when 2-4 inches long for best texture and taste.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
Zones 2-11 (Grown as an annual); thrives in heat and does not tolerate frost.
About This Seed
Seeds are small, spherical, and dark grey-green to brownish-black with a slightly pitted texture. The plant is an upright annual growing 3-6 feet tall with large, palmately lobed green leaves and hibiscus-like yellow flowers with crimson centers.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Summer; requires warm soil, direct sow or transplant after frost
Germination
7-14 days; optimal soil temp 70-90°F (21-32°C). Soak seeds in water for 12-24 hours prior to planting to soften the hard seed coat.
Planting Instructions
Depth: 1 inch. Spacing: 12-18 inches apart. Row spacing: 3 feet. Prefers well-draining, fertile loamy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (minimum 6-8 hours); moderate watering, consistent soil moisture but highly drought-tolerant once established.
Companion Plants
Beneficial: Peppers, Tomatoes, Basil, Melons. Avoid: Large aggressive vines that might shade it out.
Special Characteristics
Heat and drought tolerant, pollinator-friendly flowers, high fiber content, and mucilaginous properties used as a thickener in soups.