How to Grow Okra

By: Angela Judd | September 17, 2024

Living in a hot climate like the low desert of Arizona, I enjoy growing crops that flourish in the heat. Okra, which thrives in high temperatures, is one of my favorites, and just one or two plants provide us with all the okra we need. Because it grows so well, okra is a reliable companion plant and champion producer in my hot summer garden. In this blog post, I’m sharing all my best tips on how to grow okra.

All about okra

Okra is a tall, warm-season annual that produces beautiful flowers. Once the flowers fade, they become a fiber-rich vegetable packed with folate and vitamin K. Okra also slows down the digestion of carbs and sugars. This is one healthy vegetable!

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is also known as gumbo, lady’s finger, and bhindi in different parts of the world. It is part of the mallow family and is closely related to cotton, roselle hibiscus, and cocoa.

Okra is an annual plant that can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and has a spread of about 3 feet (1m). This heat-loving crop grows best in warm climates with plenty of sunlight.

Try different varieties of okra

There are several varieties of okra to choose from. I’ve grown all of these successfully in my garden. They are consistent producers here in the low desert.

Clemson Spineless is a popular variety that is easy to grow, matures quickly, and has a high yield. Get seeds here.
Emerald is a popular variety that is resistant to verticillium and fusarium wilt diseases.
Red Burgundy has deep red pods and is a unique variety to grow in your garden. Get seeds here.

Okinawan Pink Okra, Clemson Spineless Okra & Burgandy Okra

More varieties of okra for high heat and low humidity areas (such as the low desert of Arizona) include Red Velvet and Texas Hill Country Red.

Texas Hill Country Red Okra & Red Velvet Okra

When to plant okra

Okra thrives in hot weather, so it’s important to wait until the soil has warmed up before planting it outside. The soil should be at least 70°F (21°C) for the seeds to germinate. In the low desert of Arizona, plant okra from the middle of March through the end of June. Okra is one of the few vegetables that loves the heat. Find out what else to plant in June in Arizona.

If you have a short growing season, consider starting okra seeds indoors. Sow the seeds about 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Fill a seed starter tray with potting soil and plant the seeds about ½ inch (1 cm) deep. Transplant them to your garden when the soil warms in the spring.

Okra growing tips

Okra prefers well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Loamy soil is perfect for growing okra, but it will also grow in sandy soil. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage.

Okra needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow well. Choosing a location with full sun exposure for your okra plants is important.

Plant seeds ¾” (2 cm) deep and about 6” (15 cm) apart. Thin to at least one foot (30cm) apart, mature okra plants are tall and wide and need plenty of room to spread. Be aware that because the plants grow tall, okra can shade other plants. If using square-foot gardening, plant one plant per 1-2 feet.

Water okra to a depth of 8-12” (20-30cm). Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and water your plants deeply once a week if there’s no rain. Mulch well to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.

As your okra plants grow, you may want to consider pruning them to keep them at a manageable size. Prune the lower leaves to encourage air circulation and prevent the shading of nearby vegetables. Don’t be shy about pruning okra. New branches often sprout below the prune, and you’ll have more okra harvests from each branch.

How to grow okra as a companion plant

Here are some companion planting ideas for okra:

Tepary beans and okra growing as companion plants

Tepary Beans: These drought-tolerant beans grow well in the same soil as okra and can utilize the tall structure of okra plants to climb for support.
Climbing Beans: Other climbing beans, such as French beans, Lima beans, and runner beans, can also be grown alongside okra to take advantage of its height and structure.
Sweet Potatoes: Okra uses tall space while sweet potatoes grow below ground, and their vines can climb and grow below the okra. This maximizes vertical space and improves soil health, as sweet potatoes aerate the soil, and the okra acts as a natural trellis.

Read this guide for other heat-loving crops that could grow well with okra.

Okra and sweet potatoes as companion plants

These plants make great companions for okra, as they have similar soil and water requirements and can help improve soil health. By planting them together, you can create a more diverse and sustainable ecosystem that benefits you and the environment.

This crop also plays an important role in the Three Sisters Grow Bag Garden, a traditional companion planting method adapted for containers—learn how to incorporate it alongside beans and corn (or their alternatives) for best results.

This heat-loving relative of okra brings stunning burgundy foliage to the garden. Read more here: How to Grow Mahogany Splendor Hibiscus

How to grow okra in containers

Okra grows well in containers of at least 5 gallons (larger is better if possible). Examples of containers include: a five-gallon plastic bucket, 12″ terra cotta or nursery pot, and a five-gallon grow bag.

To help water container-grown okra, consider adding an oya, a terracotta vessel that gradually releases water over time. This moistens the soil without overwatering, which is especially important for okra to produce tender, tasty pods. I use oyas from Growoya.

Find more vegetables that grow well in containers in this guide.

Okra harvesting tips

Once okra flowers, it will be ready for harvest in 3-4 days. The taste of okra pods is best when harvested at 2-3” (5-7 cm) long. Okra pods longer than 4” (10 cm) begin to be fibrous and inedible.

Pro tip: You can use them for okra water if you wait too long to pick them. Learn more about making and using okra water in this blogpost.

Make it a point to harvest okra daily while it is producing (leaving pods on the plant slows or stops production). Always harvest okra by cutting with a knife or pruners (pulling the pods off can damage the plant).

Okra plants usually produce pods for about 8-10 weeks. However, if you take good care of your plants, you may be able to extend the growing season. Cut them off at the base at the end of the season (the roots will add organic matter to the soil) and move the plants to your compost pile.

How to save okra seeds

Saving seeds from okra plants is a great way to preserve the variety of okra you have grown and to save money on buying new seeds each year. Here are some steps to follow when saving okra seeds:

Allow the okra pods to fully mature and dry out on the plant. The pods should turn brown and become hard and woody.
Once the pods are completely dry, remove them from the plant and cut them off with garden shears or scissors.
Next, put dried okra pods in a paper bag or envelope labeled with the variety’s name and the year.
Store the bag or envelope in a cool, dry place for several weeks to allow the seeds inside the pods to fully dry and separate from the pod.
Once the seeds are fully dry, gently shake the bag or envelope to release the seeds from the pods.
Store the seeds in an airtight container (such as a glass jar), and keep them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant them.

Storing and using harvested okra

To avoid spoilage, it is best not to wash okra until you are ready to use it. Instead, wrap it in a dry paper towel and place it in a plastic bag or container in the fridge. For the best quality, consume within 3 to 5 days and wash before using.

Read this article for my favorite recipe and tips to avoid the sliminess often associated with okra.