Okra is a nutritious warm weather and easy-to-grow vegetable that produces beautiful flowers when blooming and forms edible seed pods. Okra is a flowering member of the mallow family which includes hibiscus, cotton, and hollyhock. The okra is sometimes referred to as ochro or Lady’s Fingers. I occasionally get asked does okra need a trellis. This guide will cover that and much more.
The geographical origin is debated with mentions of West and East Africa, along with Asian origins. Okra is used in many cuisines around the world and is a staple in the Southern United States where they grow abundantly.
This is my complete guide on everything you need to know about growing Okra including whether you need a trellis or not to make your Okra thrive and have a bountiful harvest from your own garden or container.
Okra: The Plant
Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) is an annual vegetable that grows especially well in tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. It is native to regions spanning from West Africa through southeast Asia. Okra is a close relative to the hibiscus and cotton plant and thrives in the heat of summer.
Grow Okra in the Spring when the soil temperature gets to 65 – 70 degrees F. It grows best in US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zones 6 and higher when temperatures range from 70 – 90 degrees F. Start harvesting okra pods as soon as the pods get 2 – 4 inches long. In general, the longer they get, the woodier and fibrous they get. You typically start seeing the pods about 60 days after planting.
Seeds can be harvested by letting Okra dry on the plant or remove and let dry. Okra seeds can be successfully sowed in raised beds, conventional in-ground gardens and in large containers. Use a 3-to-5-gallon container for the best results.
Does Okra Need a Trellis or Not?
Darrell Ferguson
Okra plants typically grow anywhere from 4 to 8 feet tall and 18 – 24 inches wide, depending on the species of okra you are growing. Okra is not a vining type of plant that naturally grows up a trellis like a bean or cucumber will. With that in mind, Okra typically doesn’t require a trellis or support to grow. There may be some cases where some support for the tallest and most bountiful okra plants may be helpful as the plant loaded with Okra can get top heavy, especially after a good rain. Generally, though, it is not needed.
Spined vs Spineless
Okra has a unique feature that growers of Okra should know. Many species of Okra plants have “spines” on the stem. These tiny spines on the stalk can cause some to experience itching and burning on their skin. The spines are similar to stinging nettle. It is recommended to wear gloves, and even long sleeves, when you are pruning the plant. There are several spineless varieties of Okra available.
Lifecycle
The Okra plant has a 90-plus day life. In general, the seed germinates in 7 to 10 days, the sprout emerges from 10 – 21 days, then the pods can be harvested somewhere after 60 days. The plant will continue producing up to and beyond the 90-day range assuming pod growth isn’t stunted from excessive heat or lack of water, or temperatures drop and/or a frost hits the plant. You can leave the pod on the plant until the point it dries if your intent is to harvest the seeds. The following diagram illustrates the life cycle of the Okra plant.
Where to Plant Okra
Location
Okra can be successfully grown in USDA Hardiness Growing Zones 6 to 13. There are cases where Plant Hardiness Zones less than 6 might be able sneak in a single Okra lifecycle during their warmer temperatures of summer or can be extended by bringing a container into a warmer area in the garage or house when there is the danger of frost. It will grow in a conventional in-ground garden, a raised bed garden and in containers.
If choosing to grow in a container, make sure that the container has proper drainage by drilling a few extra holes and has a 3 to 5 lb. capacity for best results. Consider a dwarf variety of okra for the container such as Cajun Delight.
Soil Requirements
Okra grows best in well-drained soil that also retains water. For example, in my raised bed soil, I use sphagnum peat moss and course vermiculite, along with a blend of composts, that helps keep your soil friable and healthy, but also allows it to drain well while also retaining moisture. If growing in containers, a good commercial rich potting mix should do well.
Okra prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8. If you don’t know your soil’s pH, you can get a simple pH testing kit here.
Lighting/Sunlight
Okra needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. It prefers full sun so putting the Okra plant in a shaded location is not best for the plant to thrive and have a bountiful harvest.
Sowing Inside
Okra can be sowed inside, but the preference is to sow the seeds in the location you wish them to grow in. The reason is the Okra’s plant is a big plant and its root structure can be damaged if not careful while transplanting leading to the plant not thriving. It can be done successfully but care is recommended as you do not want to damage any part of the root system.
How Big is the Plant
Most Okra types will grow 4 to 7 feet tall with a width of 18 to 24 inches.
For example:
- Okra, Cajun Delight: It grows to a height of 4 ½ feet tall.
- Okra, Jing Orange: It grows to a height of closer to 6 feet tall.
- Okra, Clemson: It grows to a height of around 4 feet tall.
Plant Hardiness
Okra can be successfully grown in USDA Hardiness Growing Zones 6 to 13. Okra likes warmer temperatures, with a preferred temperature range of 70 to 90 degrees F. Higher temperatures may stunt the development of pods to some extent but the plant can handle the heat overall. It will not survive a frost, nor will it do well in temperatures lower than 50-degree F.
Does Okra need a Trellis? The simple answer is probably not. I’ve never used one but there could be circumstances where a support could be needed with a very tall Okra plant.
When to Plant Okra
Gardeners who live in warm climates and growing zones can plant a couple of weeks after the last frost of the Spring and then a succession crop in late summer for fall harvest. For the fall harvest, sow seeds for at least 90 days plus a 3- or 4-weeks safety margin before the first frost of the fall to ensure you get a bountiful harvest before any surprise fall cold temperatures may negatively impact the plant.
Outdoors Sowing
For Spring/Early Summer plantings, sow Okra seeds 1” deep in the garden soil about 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost of the Spring or when the soil temperatures get to be 65 – 70 degrees F for good germination. Okra will not survive a frost so don’t try to get them started too early, nor too late in late Summer or early Fall.
Indoor Sowing
Sow Okra seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before you intend to transplant them out in the garden. This is an excellent choice to get time to harvest for those growing zones and cooler climates further up North. This enables you a head start on the Spring.
Soil Temperature
Soil temperatures play a huge role in how successfully your seeds will germinate. The temperature of the soil should be in the 65 to 70 degrees F range to get optimal germination of the Okra seeds.
How to Plant Okra
Seed Preparation
Seed germination can be enhanced by soaking your seeds in a wet paper towel for 24 hours before sowing in the soil. The seeds can also be scarified (scratched or scored) with a file or sandpaper to increase germination rates. Your okra should germinate within 7 to 10 days.
Sowing Seeds
Sow your Okra seeds 1” deep, with spacing for conventional rows at 8 to 12 inches apart but thin to 18 to 24 inches apart. For Square foot gardening, grow 1 plant per square foot with well-nourished soil. The seedlings should come out of the soil in 10 to 21 days depending on soil temperature. You may wish to overseed and then thin back as the seedlings grow. Overseeding is a great way to ensure you get adequate germination.
Grow from Stem Cuttings
There is an alternative to growing Okra from seed. That involved growing the plant from cuttings. You will want to take a 6 to 8 inch cutting from a healthy plant. Remove off the lower leaves leaving a few at the top. Dip the bottom of the cutting into a rooting hormone. Place the rooting into a pot with moist potting soil. Place the pot in a warm, bright location keeping the soil moist. Do not let it dry out! Roots should be developed and the plant ready for transplanting into the garden in about 3 or 4 weeks.
Okra Care and Maintenance
Okra is an easy plant to grow assuming it gets adequate light and water. Let’s review care and maintenance of the plants:
Watering
Keep the soil moist throughout the germination and seedling growth cycle. You want to make sure you are providing enough water as you do not want to let the seed dry out as it’s germinating. Check the seeds and moisten the soil daily to ensure they do not dry out. The same applies to the new plants or starter plants as they are more vulnerable as seedlings. However, use discretion, as you don’t want to overwater either.
As the plant matures, the amount of water you will need to provide depends a lot on the climate of the garden. In general, the okra plant will need at least 1 inch of water per week but likely needs more in the hot summer. Okra will tolerate some drought conditions but watering at least 1 inch per week is a must.
It is recommended to water the plants in the morning to enable the leaves to fully dry out before nightfall. This is important as moist foliage allows fungal spores, disease and mold to thrive that can weaken or damage your plants. Another advantage is to use drip hoses which I utilize along with an automated watering system with a timer.
Water How Often
Mature plants require watering every 1 – 3 days depending on how moist the soil is, how deep in the soil you water, along with the impact of the climate, especially temperature, humidity, and wind. Rainfall can account for watering on those days that it rains. If the weather is particularly hot or dry, it may be too much heat, and then a lot of water may be necessary. Containers tend to dry out in hot summers fastest so keep a close eye on them.
Checking Soil Moisture
A good rule of thumb for any plant is to stick your finger into the soil up to your 2nd knuckle. If the tip of your finger is dry, that means its dry soil, go ahead and water the Okra plants as they need some water. If it is moist, it’s good to go. This is the best way to understand your soil moisture level without using a meter. If not an established Okra plant, lean on the side of caution and go ahead and give the plant some water.
Water Deeply
An important concept is to water deeply. What that means is when you do water, that you need to give plenty of water. You need to give enough water, so it reaches down into the roots of the plant. If you just give a pass or two of your hose spray, it is probably not going to be deep enough except maybe for containers. If you have too frequent watering, especially surface watering, the roots may not go as deep so the plant would not be as healthy in the long run.
Nutrition
A robust soil mixed with a blend of organic matter and aged composts will set your plant up for success. I do use a little bit of an organic root stimulator one-time when transplanting seedlings. It you want to give the plant a little boost then you may want to add a little organic fertilizer every 3 or 4 weeks but if plenty of compost is present in the soil, this may not be 100% necessary.
Thinning
Thin your Okra seedlings when they are three inches tall for permanent spacing. Use scissors to cut the little plants at the soil level rather than pulling the young plants (seedlings) out as it can damage the root structure of adjacent seedlings.
Pruning
Okra plants may be pruned to stimulate the plant to focus their attention on pod development higher up the stem at the top of the plant. Once your Okra plants reach 3 or 4 foot high, cut off the lowest-growing lateral branches. This also helps by allowing more air movement for drying out the leaves and helps to reduce the likelihood that fungal spores will splash up onto the lower branches.
Mulching
As with most plants, mulching around the base of the plant provides several benefits. Mulching helps keep the soil moist by not allowing the water to evaporate as fast. Mulching your plants also helps prevent weeds from germinating and getting established. In addition, mulching provides organic matter that over the long term does break down and contributes to the health of the soil. 3 or 4 inches of organic mulch is recommended.
Leaf mulch is my go-to mulch if I have it available. This is a great mulch that breaks down pretty fast as opposed to hardwood mulches.
Weeding
Ensure weeds are routinely removed and not allowed to get established. This causes competition for available nutrients in the soil. We want the plant we are growing to get everything available from the soil.
Going to Seed
Okra will start to flower and produce seed pods around the 60-day timeframe. With Okra, going to seed is a good thing as pod production creates the edible pods that we can harvest and eat. Those pods also contain the seeds that can be dried and used to sow new Okra plants either for a succession planting in warmer climates or for next year’s Spring planting.
How to Harvest
It is time to begin harvesting Okra pods for eating after the okra reaches 2 to 4 inches long. You don’t want to wait any longer for two primary reasons. First, the pods get woody and fibrous the longer they get. Secondly, the more you harvest, it triggers the Okra plant to produce more pods. It can keep producing this way until colder weather moves in or the plant plays out.
To harvest the pods, it’s best to use pruning shears as the stem connecting the pods to the main stem is tough.
For harvesting the seeds, leave the pod only the plant and let grow as long as desired and let dry, or remove the pod at any point and let dry.
Succession Planting
Succession planting recommendations are focused on getting in two plantings after the first frost of the year and the last frost of the year in warmer growing zones.
Companion Planting
Plant Okra with other water-loving plants like cucumber, melons, and peppers. Fragrant herbs such as basil also make good companions. Planting near Marigolds also helps repel destructive pests.
Companion plants to consider include:
- Fragrant Herbs: Herbs such as basil and oregano help deter destructive bugs like whiteflies.
- Nitrogen Fixing Legumes: Legumes, like beans, cloves, or peas, bring nitrogen back into the soil. Okra is a heavy feeder, so this is a great organic technique to keep your soil healthy.
- Melons: Both melons and okra love the sun, so they make a good match. The melon can spread out along the top of the soil while the Okra plants will skyscraper above.
- Peppers: Pepper plants deter cabbage worms, who love Okra leaves. Peppers and Okra both love warmer temperatures so make a nice match to be companions in the garden.
- Shade-Loving Plants: The Okra plant’s height and structure helps provide shading to plants that don’t prosper in the full summer sun. You can leverage their height and shade for plants such as lettuce or spinach.
- Pollinator Attractants: As with all flowering vegetables, attracting pollinators to your plants is always a good thing. Plant flowers like Zinnias, Salvias, and Marigolds to draw the pollinators in to your plants.
- Planting a perineal plant near an annual plant, like Okra, is not recommended. The perineal plant would likely be damaged when pulling the annual Okra plant from the soil.
Gardening is Local
Somebody once said that “gardening is local”. This means that each gardener needs to evaluate their own soil, climate, and/or micro-climate, along with the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone, first and last frost dates and what plants can be hardy enough to survive the temperatures experienced in your specific garden location. For example, you may require more watering that someone in the same Zone if you are located next to a lake that is in windy areas. In some cases, it may be hard to pinpoint if you are in one zone versus an adjacent zone. Think about your “local” conditions to ensure you have a successful garden.
Preserving and Storing Okra
Refrigeration
Place dry unwashed fresh Okra pods in a perforated plastic bag loosely wrapped with a paper towel. Put the bag of pods in the vegetable crisper drawer in your refrigerator. Okra will not last longer than 2 or 3 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing
Wash and trim the pod stems leaving the cap intact. Blanch your pods by dropping them into boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. Cool promptly and let drain. Leave whole or slice pods before freezing. Place the Okra pods into a Ziplock bag, or better yet, a vacuum seal bag (recommended). Make sure the bags are labeled. Vacuum seal them up, then place in the freezer. It’s best to use the frozen okra within 12 months.
Canning
There are two methods of canning Okra. You can either pickle them in the jar using vinegar or use a pressure canner with the Okra submerged in water in the jar.
Fermenting
Fermenting Okra can be preserved in a salt brine allowing the Okra to ferment. The advantage of fermenting is that it brings a different and more nutrient flavor profile to the Okra. It’s worth giving it a try.
Seed Saving
Seeds can be harvested from a pods left on the plant in the hot weather to dry or cut from the plant and allowed to dry. Once dry, you can store in a mason jar in a cool, dark and dry place, preferably indoors. The seeds should remain viable for 2 to 3 years in optimal conditions.
Common Varieties of Okra
The following are common varieties and a few that I’ve had much success with in my deep South backyard organic raised bed garden.
Okra, Alabama Red
The Alabama Red Okra variety produces fat, red-tinged pods that stay tender longer than many of species. It’s a popular heirloom variety that is featured in the Okra Festival in Lowndes Country, Alabama.
Okra, Blondy
The Blondy Okra is an AAS winning dwarf variety that is ready to harvest in 50 days making them a great short season candidate. This plant is a dwarf, growing no more than 4 feet tall, and produces creamy light green spineless pods.
Okra, Burgundy
The Burgundy Okra variety was developed by Clemson University and introduced in 1983. It produces very tender and tasty, deep red pods. The plant grows to a height of 5 feet and is very robust.
Okra, Clemson Spineless
The Clemson Spineless variety of Okra has been a favorite of gardeners for over 80 ears. It produces vigorous 4 feet tall plants and produces a harvest of spineless dark-green pods. This heirloom was a 1939 All-America Selections winner.
Okra, Jing Orange
The colorful Jing Orange Okra are deep reddish-orange. This is a Chinese variety of Okra that grows spineless 6 to 8-inch pods. The Jing Orange variety is renowned for how tender the pods remain as they grow in length compared to many other Okra varieties.
It grows to a height of closer to 6 feet tall.
Okra Troubleshooting
Germination
Soil Too Dry
The soil and the seed must not dry out while the seed is trying to germinate. It must be watered regularly to germinate the Okra seeds. Check moisture daily and keep soil moist, but not to the extent where there is standing water or not being absorbed into the soil.
Seedlings
Need Moore Light
The most likely contributor to lack of growth is that the seedling needs more light. If inside, use a grow light or put on windowsill that receives sunlight. If outside, check to make sure it’s not shaded and gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.
Seedlings Too Crowded
Another potential problem is that the seedlings are too crowded and are fighting over the nutrients. If multiple seedlings are clumped together or within 4-6 inches of each other, thin down and keep the best seedlings. If close, cut with scissors instead of pulling up to make sure you don’t hurt the root structure of seedlings that are staying.
Overwatered
You do need to water the seedlings regularly, but you also don’t want to overwater the Cilantro seedlings. As a seedling, the root structure is not too deep yet. Water enough to get down to the roots. Push your finger in the soil down to your 2nd Knuckle, if it feels moist at the tip of your finger, then you are okay.
Insect Pests
Okra only has a few noticeable pests.
Bugs Chewing Holes in Plant
Corn Earworms
Damage to the pods could be the case of a corn earworm doing some exploratory damage to the pod. An organic solution is to spray them with BT and they will die in 2 to 3 days.
Japanese Beetles
These are hard-bodied metallic green beetles with brown wing cover that meet in the center of the back. They primarily hurt Okra by skeletonizing the leaves and, at times, may munch on pods.
Insect pests that cause discoloration or distortion of plant
Stink bugs or leaf-footed Bugs
The damage to pods is typically not extensive but if you see the pods curled up or have wart-looking bulges than the Stink bug or leaf-footed bugs are likely the culprit. You can spray them with Neem Oil if looking for an organic deterrence, but neem oil doesn’t typically kill them.
Aphids
These small soft-bodied pests, usually green or yellow in color, get on the underside of leaves and/or stems of plants and begin to feed. They secrete a sticky, sugary substance called honeydew which encourages the growth of sooty mold on the plant. It also attracts ants, so when you see ants on a plant, look around and see if there are any aphids.
A nice stream of water directed on the infected area is usually all that is needed to eliminate the aphids. It knocks them off the plant and they can’t get back on it. If heavy infestation, Neem oil is a good organic method to control aphids.
Insects that Feed Inside the Plant
European Corn Borer
This yellow or pinkish caterpillar leaves entrance holes fringed with silk and frass. Once inside, they do their damage which weakens the stem and stunts pod growth. An organic solution is to spray them with BT and they will die in 2 to 3 days.
Vegetable Leafminer
The colorless to bright yellow maggot has black mouthparts and a body up to 3 mm long. I makes S-shaped patterns as it eats the underside of the leaves. An organic solution is to spray them with BT and they will die in 2 to 3 days.
Insects Affecting the Roots
Root Knot Nematode
Root-knot Nematodes are tiny worms that live in the soil and become plant parasites as enter into small injuries in an Okra plants roots. They increase in number over time and damage the root structure. Crop rotation is a reasonable response along with moving okra production out of that area for a few seasons. Marigolds can be planted as they deter nematodes.
Disease
Charcoal Rot (Fungal)
This Fungus can be seen attacking beans, okra and many other crops including Okra. You can detect the fungus damage by identifying discoloration of the stem at the soil line. It can also have cankers on the stem traveling upward. The fungus can grow small black sclerota affecting the tissue.
Best recommendation is to rotate that crop to other soil location to reduce build-up of inoculum in the soil.
Fusarium Wilt (Fungal)
Fusarium Wilt is a concern especially in warm temperatures. The fungus may be introduced through infected seeds, human movement and contaminated tools and equipment. This fungal infection is exhibited by the wilting of cotyledons and seedling leaves. Older plants show symptoms of wilting and leaf chlorosis. Plant may not survive if it is a severe infection.
Management of the disease includes using certified, disease-free seed and plant varieties with higher resistance to Fusarium Wilt.
Powdery Mildew (Fungal)
A white powdery growth on your plants may indicate the presence of the Powdery Mildew fungal disease. The fungal spores can travel long distances in the air. High humidity and moderate temperatures, along with shade, helps accelerate the disease. This usually doesn’t have a major impact on the plant but application of an organic fungicide like Neem oil can help.
Yellow Vein Mosaic Disease (Virus)
The virus, sometimes called Bhendi Yellow Vein Virus, is transmitted by the white fly (Bemisia Tabaci) where it can cause great damage or death to a plant, especially if it happens at an early age.
Management of the disease includes the use of resistant cultivars, and ensure disease free certified seeds are being used. Finally, practice crop rotation and keep the area free of weeds.
Health Benefits of Okra
Okra pods provide a lot of health and nutrient benefits. Okra is rich in magnesium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, and Vitamins C, K1 and A. It is purported to also help support a healthy pregnancy, heart health, diabetes, and even to have some anti-cancer properties. As in all these cases, more research is needed to fully explore all of the potential health benefits of okra.
Nutritional Benefits
Okra certainly has nutritional benefits and an impressive nutrient profile.
Okra is low in calories and carbs so important for many diets. It also contains some protein and fiber. Consuming an adequate amount of Okra may be associated with weight management, blood sugar control, bone structure and muscle mass.
Contains Beneficial Antioxidants
Okra contains polyphenols, including flavonoids and isoquercetin, as well as Vitamins A and C. Research shows a high diet of polyphenols may improve heath health resulting in a decrease of risk for blood clots and oxidative damage, along with brain health.
May Lower Heart Disease Risk
Okra contains a thick substance called mucilage, which binds to cholesterol during digestion, causing it to be excreted with stools rather than absorbed into your body.
May Help in Cancer Patients
Okra has a type of protein, lectin, which may inhibit cancer cells from growing.
May Lower Blood Sugar
Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes are chronic health issues that are driven by a person’s blood sugar. Researchers have suggested that okra decreases sugar absorption in the digestive tract, leading to a more balanced blood sugar response in humans.
Culinary Use
Okra is commonly used in soups and stews. That due to a substance called mucilage that comes from the okra pod. This substance acts as a natural thickener when heated. It truly is a southern staple in the culinary world.
I personally love okra in my seafood gumbo but not necessarily in my chicken and andouille gumbo. That’s sort of a matter of taste and choice whether Okra should go into your gumbo.
Okra is also excellent sliced, then breaded and fried. I also like to pickle spicy okra for enjoyment while Okra is not in season. They are delicious in tomato, onion and okra stew.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which countries use the most Okra in the world?
Okra is most popular today in Africa, the Middle East, Greece, Turkey, India, the Caribbean, South America and the Southern U.S. It is not a very common vegetable in most European countries, except for Greece and parts of Turkey.
What country produces the most Okra in the world?
India is the world’s largest producer of okra with over 60% of the global production. India produces nearly 6 MM tons of Okra annually. They grow Okra year-round with peak production between April and July.
Conclusion
Okra is a great addition to your summer vegetable garden. It’s a staple crop in the Gulf South and for sure in Louisiana where we sometimes use it in making our world famous Gumbo. Okra tends to be very easy to grow even for beginners. This guide answers everything you need to know to be successful in growing Okra. It even answers the question of does okra need a trellis. Try a few Okra plants in your backyard and you will be greatly satisfied!
If you like this content, check out my Complete Guide to Growing Cilantro. You will want to check out my Louisiana Simple Living YouTube channel as well.
Garden On! See you soon on Louisiana Simple Living!
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