Okra is a warm-season vegetable in the mallow family (Malvaceae). It is native to tropical areas of Africa and Asia and can be grown in warmer temperate parts of the USA. The plant will grow 3-4 feet tall with a multi-branched form. Sow seeds or plant transplants in spring after the chance of frost has passed. If grown from seed, ensure the temperatures remain above 55 degrees F or start indoors. Okra needs full sun in moist, well-drained high organic matter soil. The pods can be harvested when they reach a length of 3 inches, approximately 4 months after sowing. The seed pod and roots are mucilaginous. The yellow flowers with purple centers are large and showy as most of the mallow family are. Deer will browse the large green leaves but don't eat the okra. The hairs on the seed pods can be an irritant, gloves should be used when handling. The hairs easily wash off. Use this plant in the vegetable garden. Fruits, flowers and leaves are edible. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Poorly drained soil can lead to root rot. Powdery mildew can be an issue. Insects include aphids, corn earworms, slugs, whiteflies, and spider mites.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Palmatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Prickly
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are dark green and hairy with five to seven lobes.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Edible; Showy
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are 2 to 3 inches long, hibiscus-like, yellow with a purple center. Each flower will last only one day, however, the plant will continue to produce flowers over the life of the plant.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
> 3 inches long
Fruit detail
The five-sided fruit is chambered and contains many seeds. They have a musky aroma.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Tropical Africa and Asia
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Edible fruit
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves; Flowers; Seeds
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Pods may be cooked, pickled or eaten raw. Leaves may be cooked or eaten raw. Flowers are edible with a mild, slightly sweet flavor but add more color than flavor. Roasted seeds are a coffee substitute
Uses (ethnobotany)
Various parts of the plant have been used in herbal medicine