Crops › Okra
How to grow Okra
in the US
Sow April to June, plant out July, harvest June to October. About 60 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Okra's a cracking vegetable, you know, part of the Malvaceae family, just like hibiscus and cotton. It's surprisingly easy to grow and proper productive once it gets going, giving you a steady supply of those lovely pods all through summer. I've always had a good run with it on my plot, and it's a bit different to a lot of what folks usually grow.
Sowing
You'll want to get your timing right for okra, it's a warmth-loving plant, so don't be too eager. The GrowMore CookMore app gives you a proper guide for your specific USDA zone, but generally, you're looking at sowing indoors a few weeks before your last frost date, or direct outdoors once the soil's warmed up properly, usually after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. If starting inside, pop them into individual pots; if direct sowing, give them about 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) apart. They need soil temperatures around 65-75°F (18-24°C) to get going, you know, proper warm.
Growing on
Once your seedlings are a decent size, and all threat of frost has well and truly passed, it's time to get them out. If you started them indoors, make sure to harden them off gradually for about a week first. Plant them out about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart in rows that are 3 feet (about a meter) apart. They can get quite tall, so a bit of staking might be needed, especially if your plot gets a bit windy.
Looking after it
Okra likes consistent moisture, especially when the weather warms up, so keep them well-watered. A good mulch around the base of the plants will help keep that moisture in and keep the weeds down, like I always say. They don't need a huge amount of feeding, but a balanced liquid feed every few weeks can give them a bit of a boost once they start flowering and setting pods.
What goes wrong
To be honest, okra isn't usually too much bother, which is why I'm chuffed with it. Slugs can be a pest when the plants are young, so keep an eye out for them and use your usual methods. Aphids might appear too, but often a strong jet of water will knock them off, or you can plant companion plants like marigolds and nasturtiums nearby to help deter them.
Harvest
Okra pods are ready to pick about 60 days after sowing, usually from July right through to September depending on your zone. You want to pick them when they're young and tender, about 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, before they get tough and stringy. Snip them off with a sharp knife or shears. Pick regularly, every day or two, to encourage more pods. Store them in a cool, dry place, or refrigerate them if you're not using them straight away.
I always soak my okra seeds overnight before sowing them; I reckon it really helps to speed up germination and gives them a cracking head start.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Clemson Spineless Clemson Spineless is a really reliable okra variety, a proper workhorse on the plot. It’s a great choice if you’re after consistent harvests and don't want any fuss. | No club votes yet |
| Louisiana Green Velvet This one’s another dependable performer, known for its smooth, spineless pods. It's a good pick for steady yields and an easy growing experience. | No club votes yet |
| Burgundy If you fancy something a bit different, Burgundy okra gives you lovely deep red pods. It's a reliable variety that also adds some visual interest to your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Jambalaya This variety is known for its early production and compact growth, making it a good choice if you want an earlier harvest. It’s a proper reliable performer that fits well in many spaces. | No club votes yet |
| Cajun Delight As the name suggests, this is a delightful and very productive okra variety. You'll get plenty of tender, tasty pods from these robust plants. | No club votes yet |
| Annie Oakley II This is a vigorous and high-yielding variety that produces lovely tender pods. It’s a great choice for those who want a strong, reliable plant that keeps on giving. | No club votes yet |
| Emerald Emerald okra is a fantastic, reliable variety known for its deep green, tender pods. It’s a consistent producer that’s well worth a spot on your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Cow Horn This variety produces impressively long, curved pods that remain tender even at a larger size. It’s a reliable grower and a bit of a talking point on the plot, you know. | No club votes yet |
| Perkins Long Pod If you like a longer pod, this reliable variety delivers exactly that, with good yields of tender okra. It's a solid choice for any grower looking for consistent production. | No club votes yet |
| Silver Queen This is a lovely, reliable variety known for its light green pods that are great for cooking. It’s a consistent performer that won’t let you down. | No club votes yet |
| Hill Country Red Another one with a bit of color, Hill Country Red produces attractive reddish pods. It’s a dependable variety that looks good and tastes great too. | No club votes yet |
| Go Big As the name suggests, Go Big is a robust variety that gives you plenty of okra. It’s a reliable performer that’s sure to give you a cracking big harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Candle Fire This one is known for its striking red pods and good yields, making it a reliable and attractive choice. It's a proper good producer for your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Blondy Blondy okra produces lovely pale green pods and is known for being an early producer. It’s a reliable and productive variety, great if you want to get started a bit sooner. | No club votes yet |
| Heavy Hitter Now this one's a proper heavy producer, giving you excellent yields of tender pods. If you’re after a cracking big harvest, this is the one for you. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Okra seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | June to July | August to September |
| Zone 4 | May to June | July to September |
| Zone 5 | May to June | July to October |
| Zone 6 | April to June | June to October |
| Zone 7 | April to July | June to November |
| Zone 8 | March to August | May to November |
| Zone 9 | February to September | April to December |
| Zone 10 | January to October | March to December |
Cook the harvest
This bold Louisiana-style stew brings together shrimp and okra in a rich, spiced tomato sauce loaded with the classic Creole trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper. Served over fluffy white rice, it is a deeply satisfying one-pot meal that brings all the spirit of New Orleans cooking to the summer table.
45 min · mediumThis classic North Indian dry-fried okra dish cooks the pods with onion, tomato, and a warm blend of cumin, coriander, and amchur (dried mango powder) until the okra is tender and lightly caramelized with no sliminess at all. It is a beloved weeknight staple that comes together quickly and pairs perfectly with roti or basmati rice.
30 min · easySliced okra is folded into a seasoned cornmeal batter and pan-fried into golden, crispy fritters with tender interiors. They are served with a tangy, Cajun-style remoulade made from mayo, Creole mustard, and hot sauce — a combination that is almost impossible to stop eating.
30 min · easyA vibrant summer skillet of sliced okra and fresh corn kernels cooked with smoked paprika, jalapeño, and a squeeze of lime into a quick, smoky hash. It works as a hearty side dish alongside grilled chicken or fish, or as a filling for tacos and burritos with a little sour cream and salsa.
25 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: marigolds, nasturtium
Questions people ask
When do you sow Okra in the US?
Sow Okra from April to June in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out July, after the last frost.
How long does Okra take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 60 days, with the harvest June to October.
Which Okra varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Clemson Spineless, Louisiana Green Velvet, Burgundy, Jambalaya and more.
Track your Okra from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.