Abelmoschus esculentus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-bel-MOS-kus es-kew-LEN-tus
- Description
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Okra is a warm-season vegetable in the mallow family. Sow seeds or transplant in a garden that gets full sun and has moist, well-drained high organic matter soil. It has showy yellow flowers with purple centers followed by edible pods. If grown from seed, ensure that the temperatures remain above 55 degrees F, or start indoors. The pods can be harvested when they reach a length of 3 inches, approximately 4 months after sowing. They can be used fresh or dried, eaten as a vegetable, or added to soups or stews. Its leaves, flower buds, flowers, and calyces can be eaten as greens.
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. The hairs on the seed pods can be an irritant, gloves should be used when handling.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Vegetable No-Till Garden Crevice Garden at the Guilford County Extension Center
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abelmoschus
- Species:
- esculentus
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Africa and Asia
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Warm Season Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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 To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- As can be seen when it is cut in half, the five-sided fruit is chambered and contains many seeds. They have a musky aroma.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are dark green and hairy with five to seven lobes.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
