Star of David

Family: Malvaceae Vegetable

Tender pods of Star of David arrive in a vivid, starry green—sleek, ridged, and wonderfully crisp to the bite.

Their mild, grassy sweetness and velvety interior make them a standout for quick skillet-style roasting, bright fresh slicing, and silky sauces that cling to every spoonful. Grow this 55-day showpiece for a steady harvest of uniform pods that stay attractive and flavorful from first picking onward.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Jul 3rd
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)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This is the kind of okra that rewards heat and timing: you get that crisp ridged bite up top, then the interior turns pleasantly plush, making it ideal for pan sauces that cling. Use it to build bright, spoonable dishes—its mildness lets garlic and citrus lead while the gel does the heavy lifting.

Best Uses

hot-skillet roasting for crisp edges while keeping the pod interior tender
quick fresh slicing for salads where they hold crunch without turning floppy
skillet braises that lean on the pod’s natural gel for a spoon-coating pan sauce
brothy soups/curries where the pods thicken without shredding

Flavor Profile

mild, grassy sweetness crisp ridged snap velvety interior gel clean, lightly vegetal finish

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon cumin smoked paprika tomato yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest or disease for Abelmoschus esculentus (Star of David) and how do I control it?

Watch for powdery mildew, which shows up as a white dusting on leaves and spreads quickly in humid conditions. Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and water at the soil line (not the foliage), then apply a preventative/early treatment with horticultural sulfur if mildew starts. Also remove and discard badly infected leaves to slow spread and keep plants vigorous for pod production.

How often should I water Abelmoschus esculentus during the main growing phase?

During flowering and pod set, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—typically about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, and avoid letting the soil dry out completely between waterings because drought can reduce flowering and young pod formation.

How can I tell when Star of David (Abelmoschus esculentus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest pods about 50–60 days after sowing, when pods are tender and still relatively young (often around palm-length, depending on your specific growing conditions). Pick every 1–3 days during peak production—if pods get tough or start to look over-mature, the plant slows and pod quality drops. Use scissors to avoid damaging the plant and harvest in the morning for the best tenderness.