Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Okra

A Southern garden staple that thrives in blazing heat. Beautiful flowers are a bonus.

Sun

Full sun (8+ hours)

Water

1 inch per week

Days to Harvest

50-65

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

18"

Frost Tolerance

none

The Short Answer

Okra are frost-sensitive and need warm soil and air temperatures to thrive. Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outside 3 weeks after your last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 65°F. You can also direct sow seeds 3 weeks after your last frost. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Okra

Okra is the heat lover's reward — while other crops wilt in July, okra is just getting started. The plant is actually a tropical hibiscus relative, and the flowers are beautiful enough to earn a place in any flower garden. Harvest pods at 2-3 inches for tender eating; pods over 4 inches become woody and tough. Wear gloves and long sleeves — the leaves and stems have tiny spines that irritate skin. Okra responds to heavy picking by producing more, so harvest daily during peak season.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Begin okra seeds indoors 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 65°F to germinate, which typically takes 7-14 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 3 weeks after your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 65°F. Harden off seedlings for 7 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Direct Sowing

Okra can be direct sown 3 weeks after your last frost date. Plant seeds 1" deep, spaced 18" apart.

Growing Tips

Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed germination. Harvest pods at 3-4 inches — they get tough quickly.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Peppers Melons Sunflowers

Okra Planting Dates by State

Click your state for okra planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026