Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a flowering plant in the mallow family (Malvaceae) and is related to hibiscus, cotton, and cocoa. It is a perennial but it is often grown as an annual in temperate climates.
It is grown for its edible seed pods which may be green or purple in color, depending on variety. It is though to have originated in Africa where it was grown before finding its way to the Americas.
The seed pods are usually sliced and deep fried, often used in Cajun and Creole dishes including gumbo where it is used as a thickening agent.
Do you want to try growing your own okra at home? Take a look at our growing and harvesting guides down below for the proper techniques and tips to get you started. Happy gardening!
Prolific and terrific, ‘Burgundy’ heirloom okra grows fast and produces bushels of edible red pods in a single season. Our guide shares ways this variety differs from green types and how to care for the plants from sowing to harvest and cooking. Eat the pretty yellow blooms, too, or grow red okra as an ornamental.
Okra grows readily from seed, and you’ll have an ample supply of the best open-pollinated varieties when you collect and dry seeds at season’s end. This guide covers which types are best for seed-saving, and how to collect and dry them. Just a few pods will yield enough for a bumper crop and more to share with friends.
Okra is a flowering plant with elongated, edible pods that are frequently used as a thickening agent in gumbo. With colorful varieties ranging from dwarf to over eight feet, it’s as pretty in the garden as it is functional. Read on to learn how easy it is to grow okra in your vegetable patch, here on Gardener’s Path.
Okra is a flowering annual that bears edible pods in shades of red and green. Famous for its use as a thickener in gumbo, it’s not just for Southern gardens, but all USDA Hardiness Zones. Discover 13 of our favorites, and choose from dwarf varieties suitable for containers to tree-sized plants, here on Gardener’s Path.
You have successfully grown a nice little patch of okra and now it’s almost harvest time. But when and how do you go about it? We give you directions, picking tips, and tricks, plus some recipe ideas for your harvest. Read more now on Gardener’s Path.