Okra

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, is an herbaceous annual plant in the family Malvaceae which is grown for its edible seed pods. Okra plants have small erect stems that can be bristly or hairless with heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long with 5–7 lobes The plant produces flowers with five white to yellow petals which are 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) in diameter. The seed pod is a capsule up to 25 cm (10 in) long, containing numerous seeds. Okra can grow 1.2–1.8 m (4–6 ft) tall and as an annual plant, survives only one growing season. Okra may also be referred to as lady's fingers and is believed to have originated in Ethiopia.


Basic requirements Okra is a heat loving plant, growing best in southern climates in a well draining, light sandy to medium loams. Soils should be high in organic matter with a pH between 5.8 to 6.8. If planting in clay soil, transplants are recommended due to the difficulty encountered in seedling emerging from the heavy soil. The plant should be grown in an area of high sunlight and grows best in hot temperatures. Soil temperatures should be at least 18.3°C (65°F) with optimal growth of the plants occurring at soil temperatures between 23.9–32.3°C (75–90°F). Propagation Okra is typically propagated from seed. Soaking seeds in water overnight prior to planting helps the plants to germinate. In the home garden, seeds should be sown at a depth of 2.5 cm (1 in) leaving 25–45 cm (10–18 in) between rows only after the soil has reached a temperature of 18°C (65°F). In commercial okra production, seeds are planted in rows spaced 0.65–1.0 m (26–40 in) apart. Okra seed is commonly planted at a rate of 10 lb per acre but this quantity is vastly reduced by the use of precision planting methods. Seedlings are thinned to a final spacing of 15.0–22.5 cm (6–9 in) when they are 4–6 weeks old to produce the final plant stand. General care and maintenance Okra requires a moist soil for optimum development. Water should be applied at a rate of 1.5 inches every 10 days is recommended in hotter areas. In cooler climates, plants require less water as it tends to cool the plants and restrict their growth. Okra benefits from the addition of nitrogen and phosphorous. Growers generally apply ammonium phosphate fertilizer that contain both nutrients at a rate of 100 lb per acre prior to planting seed. Chicken manure may be spread in place of chemical fertilizer 1 week prior to planting. An additional side dressing of 40–60 lb of nitrogen can be applied 6 weeks after planting. Due to the long period over which okra is harvested, weeds can become a problem and require management. in the home garden, weeds can be removed by careful cultivation of the soil around the plants. Applications of appropriate herbicides may be required in commercial production. Harvesting Pods are usually ready for harvesting 2 months after planting. Okra pods are generally ready to harvest 4 to 6 days after flowering and pods should be harvested every 2–3 days when they have reached 7.6–15.2 cm (3–5 in) in length. Pods can be removed from the plant by cutting with a sharp knife or by snapping from the plant.


The young seed pods are eaten fresh or cooked as a vegetable. The seeds can be used to extract oil. Okra fiber can be used in paper production.


Aguair, J. L., McGiffin, M., Natwick, E. & Takele, E. (2011). Okra production in California. UC Vegetable Research and Information Center. Available at: http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/7210.pdf. [Accessed 27 February 15]. Free to access. CABI Crop Protection Compendium. (2008). Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) datasheet. Available at: http://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/1950. [Accessed 27 February 15]. Paid subscription required. [Accessed 27 February 15]. Free to access.