How To Grow Okra: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Home and Garden
• Gardening
• Planting and Growing
• Growing Vegetables

How to Grow Okra Download Article 43 Recipe Ratings | Success Stories Co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved

Download Article

• Planting Okra
|
• Caring for Okra
|
• Harvesting and Using Okra
|
• How Do You Grow Okra?
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 25 testimonials and 95% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 644,828 times.

Okra is a vegetable that keeps on giving all summer long. When you harvest a pod, another grows in its place. It's related to the hibiscus plant and produces similarly beautiful flowers. Okra grows best in hot climates, but even if you live in a Northern region, you can grow okra by starting it from seed indoors and transplanting when the weather warms up.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Planting Okra

Download Article

1. 1 Determine how to start your seeds. If you live in a place with hot summers and mild winters, it's easiest to plant okra in your garden patch, rather than starting it indoors. You'll want to plant the okra seeds in early spring, after the last frost of the year, when the temperature doesn't dip below 55 degrees at night. If that doesn't happen until late spring or early summer where you live, then it's better to start your seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost. When the seedlings are sturdy and the weather warms up, you'll transplant them to your garden patch.
   • To start seeds inside, plant the seeds in peat seed starter and keep them well-watered. Put them in a warm, sunny room or use grow lamps to keep them warm during the germination period. Keep the temperature between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
   • When the weather warms up and you're ready to transplant the seedlings, follow the same steps you'd use to grow okra from seed outdoors.
2. 2 Choose the sunniest spot in your garden. Okra grows best in full, hot sun. If you try to grow it in a shady spot, it won't produce much fruit, if it lives at all. Okra should be planted in a location that gets at least 6 hours of full sun every day. Don't worry that it'll get too hot - okra really gets going at summer's peak, when the sun beats down on the garden at its hottest. Advertisement
3. 3 Correct the soil's pH. Okra grows best in a soil with a pH level between 6.5 and 7.0. test your soil's pH level to determine whether it is in the proper pH range. You can work in limestone or bone meal to increase the soil's pH. If you'd prefer not to change the pH level of your soil using any drastic measures, you can simply work in plenty of compost, which will drive the pH towards neutral, or 7.
4. 4 Enrich the soil with nutrients. Okra grows well in very rich soil that's packed with nutrients. You can enrich your soil using compost, bagged organic fertilizer, or 4-6-6 slow release fertilizer. Either way, till the soil to a depth of 12 inches (30.5 cm) and work in 4 inches (10.2 cm) of compost or fertilizer using a garden rake so that it's evenly distributed.
   • Neglecting to add nutrients to the soil may result in okra plants that don't produce a lot of fruit.
5. 5 Sow the seeds or plant the seedlings. When the weather is warm, it's time to plant the okra in your garden. Sow your seeds 4 inches (10.2 cm) apart at a depth of 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm). If you started your seeds indoors, handle the seedlings very carefully and plant them 1 foot (0.3 m) apart in rows 3 feet (0.9 m) apart. Dig holes large enough to hold the root balls and gently pat the soil around the base of the plants. Water the garden to help set the soil.
   • If you want to speed the germination of your seeds, you can soak them overnight the night before planting, or freeze them to crack the shells.
   • If you're transplanting seedlings, do not break their tiny taproots. If they get crushed, the seedlings will not grow.[1]
Advertisement

Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Caring for Okra

Download Article

1. 1 Keep the okra well watered. Okra should be given at least an inch per week of water. Water every morning to thoroughly moisten the soil, except after heavy rains. Okra can withstand a bit of drought, but it grows much better when given plenty of water throughout the summer.
   • It's best to water okra in the morning so that the plants have time to dry before nightfall. If the water stands in the garden bed overnight, it could cause the plants to start rotting.
   • When you water okra, try not to get water on the leaves. When the sun starts beating down on the okra plants, the water will act as a magnifying glass and burn the okra leaves.
2. 2 Thin the seedlings. When the seeds you planted have sprouted and grown to 3 inches (7.6 cm) high, thin out the smaller seedlings and leave the strongest ones standing. Thin them so that the remaining seedlings are spaced 1 foot (0.3 m) to 2 foot (0.6 m) apart, in rows 3 feet (0.9 m) apart. If you transplanted seedlings that you started indoors, you can skip this step.
3. 3 Weed and mulch the okra bed. While the okra is still young, cultivate the bed to eliminate any weeds. Then cover the area around the seedlings with a heavy layer of mulch, such as pine straw. This will prevent additional weeds from sprouting and taking over the bed.[2]
4. 4 Side dress the plants with compost. Since okra needs plenty of nutrients to grow, it's a good idea to continue adding compost throughout the summer. You should side dress the okra with compost three times: once after thinning the seedlings, once after the first pods begin to grow, and a third time halfway through the growing season. To side dress, simply rake in a few inches of compost around the plants, so that the soil there gets enriched.
   • You can also side dress with more bagged fertilizer or slow release fertilizer.
   • Don't side dress the plants too often; three times is enough. Adding too much compost or fertilizer can hurt the plants more than it helps.
5. 5 Keep an eye out for pests. Aphids, stinkbugs, and corn earworms all like to feast on okra plants. The plants are hardy, and usually won't fail on account of pests, but it's a good idea to keep their populations low to get the most out of your okra crop. Inspect the stems and leaves regularly for holes, yellow leaves and other signs of pest infestation. You can pick the bugs off by hand or spray the leaves with soapy water to keep the pests away.
Advertisement

Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Harvesting and Using Okra

Download Article

1. 1 Cut and come back. About 8 weeks after planting the okra, the pods will start to grow. Once you see the first okra pods emerge and mature, you can start regularly harvesting them. Use a scissors or a hand pruner to cut the okra pods just above their caps, where their thick stems meet the branches of the plant. Once you make a cut, another okra pod will emerge from the same spot. Keep harvesting the okra throughout the summer until the growing season slows and the plants stop producing new pods.
   • Harvest the pods when they are 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) long.
   • Harvest the okra every other day, and every day in warm climates and during the peak of the season, to encourage fast regrowth. You may even need to harvest twice per day to keep up with growth at the peak of the season. If the pods get too big, they will become woody and tough.
   • You might want to wear gloves and long sleeves when you harvest the okra. The leaves and pods are covered with spines that can irritate the skin.[3]
2. 2 Eat the okra while it's fresh. Okra's taste and texture are best within a few days of harvest. You're likely to have an abundance of okra you can use to make classic dishes like the following:
   • Fried okra
   • Gumbo
   • Stewed okra
3. 3 Pickle the Okra. This is a great way to preserve the okra's flavor and texture for months to come. You can pickle okra the same way you pickle cucumbers, using a salty brine. Pickle okra right after you harvest it for best results.
4. 4 Freeze extra okra. If you simply have too much to eat, or you want to be able to enjoy okra during the winter, freezing it is a good option. To freeze okra, blanch it for 3 minutes, plunge it into an ice bath to stop it from overcooking, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Place the pieces on a tray and freeze them until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag for long-term storage.
Advertisement

How Do You Grow Okra?

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question The lower leaves turn yellow and die. They fall off or I trim off every day. The pod production is good but I am worried that the plant is burning. What can I do? Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Expert Answer It is normal for the lowest leaves to fall off as the plant grows. As long as the upper leaves look healthy you have nothing to worry about. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 60
• Question What are the small beads of crystals under the all the leaves? Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Expert Answer It sounds like you have insect eggs under your leaves. Take a picture and show you county extension office or another gardener to find out what they are and how to treat them. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 30 Helpful 57
• Question How do I get okra seeds? Community Answer You can buy okra seeds at your nearest nursery (or possible home improvement store) or you can take okra seeds by cutting the okra itself. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 72

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

• Okra isn't too bothered by pests. The kinds of pests that might occur include aphids, thrips, mites, and grubs. Thanks Helpful 19 Not Helpful 2

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Soil wilt diseases impact okra; do not plant okra where members of the solanaceous family have already grown (potatoes, tomatoes, etc.) or brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, etc.). Thanks Helpful 19 Not Helpful 3

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

• Suitable garden space
• Digging tools
• Okra seeds
• Watering facility
• Mulch
• Compost or 4-6-6 fertilizer

You Might Also Like

How toPreserve Fresh Okra How toGrow Onions from Seed How toGrow Black Beans How toGrow Four O' Clock Flowers How to Grow Eggplant from Seed to Harvest How toGrow Gourds How toGrow Black Pepper How toGrow Watermelons How toGrow Potatoes How toGrow Green Chili How to Grow & Harvest Pumpkins From Seeds How to Plant & Grow Your Own Fenugreek (Methi) A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting a Garden How toGrow Cantaloupe Advertisement

References

1. ↑ https://garden.org/learn/howto/grow/
2. ↑ https://garden.org/learn/howto/grow/okra/
3. ↑ https://garden.org/learn/howto/grow/okra/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. This article has been viewed 644,828 times. 43 votes - 95% Co-authors: 14 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 644,828 Categories: Growing Vegetables | Fruits and Vegetables Article SummaryX

To grow okra, start by tilling the soil with fertilizer, and plant the seeds in a sunny spot in your garden. Make sure the seeds are 4 inches apart and ½ inch deep in the soil. Once planted, give the okra an inch of water every week, and be sure to weed and place compost around the plants often. If many of your seeds sprout, thin them by pulling the smaller, weaker seedlings. For tips on treating the soil and harvesting your okra, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Spanish Italian Portuguese Russian German French Chinese Indonesian Arabic Dutch Vietnamese Japanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 644,828 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Peter Miller

  Jun 21, 2017

  "Learned some things I didn't know, like keeping seeds moist 'the whole entire time', as the video..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Co-authors: 14 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 644,828 95% of voters found this recipe helpful. 43 votes - 95% Click a star to add your vote

Peter Miller

Jun 21, 2017

"Learned some things I didn't know, like keeping seeds moist 'the whole entire time', as the video..." more

Larry Denton

Apr 18, 2016

"Very simple and informative statements along with the pictures. It's the most informative to me after looking..." more

Maggie O'Brien

Feb 11, 2018

"I was very interested in starting okra from last year's seeds. This article helped me to prepare the soil and..." more

Cara Clavel

Jul 20, 2016

"Cutting pods just above the thick part of the pod helped. I used to cut okra from the stem or branch of the okra...." more

Raspal Kaur

Apr 26, 2017

"Very informative, from germinating to harvesting okra. Also about pests and tips to increase yield by harvesting..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Veggie Am I QuizTake QuizHow Tall Will I Be QuizTake QuizWhat Plant Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhat Time of Day Am I QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toPreserve Fresh OkraHow toGrow Onions from SeedHow toGrow Black BeansHow toGrow Four O' Clock Flowers

Featured Articles

How toRemove Shorts from Search Results on YouTubeWhat Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?

Trending Articles

Which Fictional Character Would Crush On You?Who Is Secretly Crushing On Me Right Now QuizAttractiveness Score QuizIs My Crush Pretending Not to Like Me QuizHypersexuality TestWhat Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)

Featured Articles

How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasHow toExercise Your BrainHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out With

Featured Articles

What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?How toDevelop Productive HabitsHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Will 2026 Be Your Year? Reveal Your FutureUnderstanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)

Watch Articles

How toTie a Loop KnotHow toMake Body OilHow toMake Almond MilkHow toWash White Clothes by HandHow toSkin a ChickenHow toClean Tile Floors with Vinegar

Trending Articles

What Are My Soulmate's Initials QuizChoose Your Own Adventure GameYour Red Flag Based On Your Celeb Crushes151 of the Juiciest “Most Likely To” Questions to AskAm I Good at Flirting QuizWhat Is Your Lip Type?

Quizzes & Games

Can You Spot The False Climate Claims QuizTake QuizHow Southern Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Fruit Am I QuizTake QuizWhat’s The Perfect Hair Care Routine For MeTake QuizWhat Season Am I QuizTake QuizGuess the Food QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Home and Garden
• Gardening
• Planting and Growing
• Growing Vegetables

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --569