Okra plant profile
Abelmoschus esculentus
An annual vegetable for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Okra
Okra is a heat-loving crop. Direct sow only after the spring frost danger has passed and the soil is warm, ideally 70F or above at seed depth; cold soil rots the seed (Clemson).
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Okra in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Planting depth
- 0.75 in
- Soil pH
- 5.8 to 6.5
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Spacing
- 9 to 12 in apart, rows 36 in
- Days to maturity
- 60 to 70 days (from sowing)
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: seedling root rot, pod rot, leaf footed bugs.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- How to Grow Okra in South Carolina (HGIC 1313)
Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-11.