Okra

Family: Malvaceae Warm-season vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Okra to a garden.

Silky, fresh-green pods arrive with a tender snap and a softly ribbed, velvety surface that catches the light in the garden.

Okra forms upright, productive plants that yield pods at about 55 days—ideal for quick roasting, savory sauces, and pickling, with a mild, grassy sweetness that stays bright when cooked. Grow Okra for a steady harvest of crisp, young pods that shine both on the plate and in the pot.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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Okra Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

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)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Okra is all about that tradeoff: young pods give you a tender snap, while cooking unlocks a silky, lightly gummy coating that clings to sauces instead of sliding off. This variety’s fresh-green pods are perfect when you want the body of gumbo or a velvety stew base without losing brightness.

Best Uses

quick roast or high-heat blistering to keep pods crisp-tender
gumbo and thickened stews where okra’s mucilage turns broth silky
pickle chips for snappy, briny crunch
pan-fry with acid at the end (lemon/vinegar) to sharpen the green notes

Flavor Profile

mild grassy sweetness tender-tubed snap in young pods velvety, slightly gummy mouthfeel when cooked bright, clean finish that doesn’t turn bitter fast

Kitchen Pairings

smoked sausage tomato lemon vinegar buttermilk cayenne

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), and how can I treat it?

A frequent problem is cotton bollworm/fruit borers, which bore into pods and cause holes and rotting. Check pods every 2–3 days and remove any damaged pods early; use handpicking of larvae when spotted and apply an appropriate Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray to target young caterpillars. If you see leaf spots or rust-like lesions, improve airflow by spacing plants and avoid wetting the foliage during watering, then remove heavily affected leaves to slow spread.

How often should I water okra during the main growing phase?

From flowering onward, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water at the base in the morning so the top few inches of soil stay slightly moist; if pods droop during hot afternoons and soil feels dry 2–3 inches down, increase watering frequency. Consistent moisture supports steady pod set and helps prevent woody, tough pods.

How can I tell when okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when pods are tender and 2–4 inches long (about the size of a finger), typically starting around 55 days after sowing. Pods ready for picking feel firm and snap easily; if you can’t dent the pod with a fingernail, it’s likely getting too mature. Pick every 1–2 days once production begins—leaving oversized pods reduces new pod formation.