Clemson Spineless 80

Family: Malvaceae Vegetable

Tender pods with a famously smooth, spineless feel—Clemson Spineless 80 delivers a silky, crisp bite and a fresh, green sweetness that shines in every harvest.

The pods are slender and uniform, holding their appeal with a clean, non-fibrous texture that’s ideal for quick roasting, vibrant stir-fries, and spoon-ready sauces. Grow this reliable 55-day favorite for abundant, garden-to-table pods that look as good as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Clemson Spineless 80

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Clemson Spineless 80 is prized for eating—its pods stay relatively non-fibrous, so you get that hallmark okra slip and thickening without the chewy tug. Use it hot and quick to keep the interior crisp, then let the mucilage do the sauce work in gumbo or spoonable tomato dishes.

Best Uses

hot, fast roasting to caramelize edges while keeping the interior tight
stir-fries where the pods stay slender and don’t turn woolly
spoon-ready gumbo-style thickener without heavy strings
pickling or quick sauté for a snappy, bright side

Flavor Profile

clean green sweetness slim pods with a crisp-to-silky bite low-fiber, less string pull okra-mucilage that thickens without tasting gelatinous

Kitchen Pairings

smoked sausage garlic onion tomato lemon rice

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common for Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), and how can I address it?

Okra commonly suffers from powdery mildew, especially during humid spells, showing as a white, dusty coating on leaves and tender stems. Improve airflow by spacing plants and removing heavily infected lower leaves, then apply a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide early in the outbreak for best results. If you see wilting with yellowing, also check for root-knot nematodes—pull and destroy badly affected plants and rotate out of okra/mallows next season.

How often should I water okra during the main growing phase (around flowering and pod set)?

During active growth and pod set, Abelmoschus esculentus prefers consistently moist soil, not soggy. Water about 1–2 times per week to keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist, increasing frequency in hot weather while avoiding waterlogging. Mulch helps stabilize moisture, but don’t let water sit around the crown.

How can I tell when Clemson Spineless okra pods (Abelmoschus esculentus) are ready to harvest?

Harvest pods at about 55 days to maturity and then repeatedly through the season, because pods become tough quickly. Pick when pods are young and tender—typically around 3–4 inches long and still easy to pierce with a fingernail. If pods start feeling fibrous or you can see the seeds bulging inside, harvest immediately (or you’ve waited too long for the best texture).