How to grow Okra in Australia
A heat-lover for full sun in fertile, well-drained soil, sown only once the weather is reliably warm. Water consistently through flowering and pod set, and feed for steady growth.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 40 cm
- Time to harvest: 75 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to December | Warm-season annual that suits Sydney summers, especially the hot west. Sow once soil passes 20°C; frost-sensitive. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Very frost-tender; sow Oct to Nov only, once night temps stable 10°C+. Dies in Melbourne winter. |
| Adelaide & SA | October and November | Sow Oct to Nov once soil passes 20C. Loves Adelaide summer heat with deep watering. Pick pods young and often. |
| Perth & WA | September to December | Sow Sep to Dec once soil passes 20C. December sowings still crop on the warm plain and coast; okra loves the long dry summer. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs sustained heat above 25C. Tasmanian summers are too cool even under cover. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Okra unsuitable for Canberra: tropical/warm-season only, frost-intolerant. Short warm window insufficient. |
| North Queensland | September to February | Late dry/wet season Sep to Feb. Okra is tropical staple; thrives in heat and humidity. Perfect for wet season. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to February | Late dry/wet season Sep to Feb. Okra is tropical staple; thrives in heat and humidity. Perfect for wet season. |
Varieties
- Clemson Spineless
- Burgundy
- Dwarf Green Long Pod
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick the pods young at finger length, while they snap cleanly, as older pods turn tough and stringy. Cut every day or two to keep the plant producing heavily.
Storage
Fridge in a paper bag, up to 3 days. Do not wash until use.