Vegetables· Abelmoschus esculentus

Okra Growing Guide

Okra is a heat-loving vegetable in the mallow family, grown for its edible seed pods. It thrives in hot, humid climates and is a staple in West African, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Southern US cuisines. The mucilaginous pods are used in soups, stews, and as a thickener.

How Long Does Okra Take to Grow?

Okra is typically ready to harvest about 55 days after planting.

Days to Harvest

7,960

kg/hectare

moderate

Water Needs

full sun

Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature

25-35°C optimal

Rainfall

500-1500 mm/year

Frost Tolerance

none

Drought Tolerance

moderate

Humidity

high tolerance

Heat Tolerance

high

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: loam, sandy loam, clay loam

pH range: 5.5 - 7 (optimal: 6.3)

Drainage: good

Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)

Nitrogen (N)moderate

Phosphorus (P)moderate

Potassium (K)moderate

Planting Guide

Planting Methods

direct seeding

Planting Depth

2 cm

Plant Spacing

30 cm apart, 90 cm rows

Planting Season

late spring, early summer

Yield & Economics

Yield Range

820 - 179,130 kg/ha

Market Demand

growing

Profitability

medium

Common Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

aphids
corn earworm
stink bug
root-knot nematode

Common Diseases

fusarium wilt
powdery mildew
southern blight
leaf spot

Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.

Growing Tips

Soak seeds in warm water for 12-24 hours before planting to improve germination rates, which are often poor in cool soils.

Harvest pods every 2 days when they are 7-10 cm long; overmature pods become fibrous and tough.

Okra performs best in full sun with soil temperatures above 20 C; do not rush planting in spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Okra take to grow?

Okra typically takes 55 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 7 days. The best planting season is late spring, early summer.

What soil does Okra need?

Okra grows best in loam, sandy loam, clay loam soil with a pH of 5.5-7. Good drainage is required.

What temperature does Okra need?

Okra grows best at 25-35°C. Frost tolerance: none. Heat tolerance: high.

What is the expected yield for Okra?

Across 57 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Okra range from 820 to 179,130 kg/hectare, with a median of 7,960. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.