How to grow Okra in New Zealand
Okra, or lady's fingers, is a tall, handsome summer plant in the hibiscus family with pale yellow flowers and ribbed green or burgundy pods, used in curries, stews and gumbo or roasted, grilled and pickled. It is a true heat lover: in New Zealand it does best in the warmest northern gardens, a tunnel house or a glasshouse. The secret to tender pods is to pick them small and often.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Okra in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to December | |
| Auckland | September to December | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October to December | A heat lover. Sow Oct to Dec once the frosts are over and the soil is properly warm, in the warmest spot. |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Plateau summers are too cool for okra. Only worth it in a heated glasshouse. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | November | Marginal outdoors. Start seed indoors and plant out in November in a hot, sheltered spot, or grow it in a tunnel house. |
| Nelson & Marlborough | November and December | Sow or plant out Nov to Dec in the hottest, most sheltered spot. Choose an early type such as Millionaire F1 for the shorter summer. |
| Canterbury | November | Marginal outdoors. Start seed indoors and plant out in November in a hot, sheltered spot, or grow it in a tunnel house. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Summers are usually too cool for okra outdoors. Grow it in a glasshouse or tunnel house. |
| Central Otago | November | Marginal outdoors. Hot summers can ripen pods in a sheltered spot; start seed indoors and plant out in November, or grow it in a tunnel house. |
Where to plant
Choose the hottest, sunniest, most wind-protected spot in the garden, with at least six hours of sun, in fertile, well-drained soil. Okra is not frost tolerant and stalls in cool weather, so do not sow or plant until the soil is properly warm, around 20 to 30°C for good germination.
In cooler districts a tunnel house, glasshouse or a pot against a hot wall makes the difference between a crop and none.
- Northland and Auckland: start seed indoors from August, or sow direct from September to December once the soil is warm.
- Waikato and Bay of Plenty: sow from October to December once the frosts are over and the soil is properly warm, in the warmest spot.
- Nelson and Marlborough: sow or plant out in November and December in the hottest, most sheltered spot. An early variety such as Millionaire F1 suits the shorter summer.
- Wellington, Canterbury and Central Otago: marginal outdoors. Start seed indoors and plant out in November in a hot, sheltered spot, or grow it in a tunnel house.
- Central North Island, and Otago and Southland: summers are usually too cool for a worthwhile crop outdoors. Grow okra in a glasshouse or tunnel house.
Choosing a variety
| Variety | Notes |
|---|---|
| Clemson Spineless | The most commonly grown open-pollinated okra, with tender, medium-green pods; pick at about 5 to 8 cm |
| Burgundy | Deep red pods on tall plants, with good flavour and ornamental value; pods turn green when cooked |
| Millionaire F1 | A hybrid okra sold in New Zealand |
How to plant
- Soak seed overnight in warm water to soften the hard coat.
- Sow direct about 6 mm to 2 cm deep once the soil is warm, or sow in pots indoors with bottom heat. Seed germinates in about 7 to 14 days at 20 to 30°C.
- Okra dislikes transplanting, so if you raise seedlings, use individual pots and plant out carefully without disturbing the roots.
- Space plants about 40 to 60 cm apart.
- Mulch around the plants to keep the soil warm and moist, and protect seedlings from slugs and snails.
Watering and feeding
Okra tolerates hot, dry spells, but it crops best when the soil is kept consistently moist, especially through flowering and pod set.
Feed regularly through the growing, flowering and fruiting season with a fertiliser for flowering and fruiting plants.
Pruning and care through the year
- Stake tall plants in exposed spots.
- Pick every day or two once pods start, as pods left on the plant turn woody and slow the crop.
- Wear gloves and long sleeves when picking if you have sensitive skin; the leaves, stems and pods can irritate, even on spineless varieties.
Harvesting
Pods form a few days after the short-lived yellow flowers open. Pick them young and tender, about 5 to 8 cm long for Clemson Spineless, cutting them with secateurs or a knife. Larger pods quickly turn tough and fibrous.
Okra keeps only a few days in the fridge, so use it quickly, or pickle or freeze it.
Growing in pots
Okra grows well in a pot at least 30 cm wide in a hot, sunny, sheltered spot, such as a deck or against a north-facing wall. Keep it watered and fed through summer. In cooler districts a pot in a glasshouse or tunnel house works best.
Companion planting
Okra is a summer crop that pairs well with other heat lovers.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Okra has few pests outdoors in New Zealand. Cool weather is its main limit, and whitefly and aphids can build up under cover.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters on young shoots and pods.
- Whitefly Tiny white flies that rise when the plant is disturbed, mainly in glasshouses.
- Slugs Young seedlings chewed off, especially in damp weather.
Diseases to watch for
- Fusarium wilt Plants yellow and wilt from the bottom up and do not recover with watering. Rotate crops.
- Verticillium wilt Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the plant, in cool soil.
Common questions
Can I grow okra in New Zealand?
Yes, in the warmest months. It does best in warm, sheltered gardens in Northland, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. In cooler districts grow it in a tunnel house or glasshouse.
When do I pick okra?
Pick pods young and tender, about 5 to 8 cm long, every day or two. Larger pods quickly turn woody.
Why won't my okra seed germinate?
The soil is probably too cold. Okra needs soil of about 20 to 30°C. Soak seed overnight and sow later in spring, or start it indoors with bottom heat.
Why does okra make my hands itch?
The leaves, stems and pods can irritate sensitive skin. Wear gloves and long sleeves when picking, even with spineless varieties.
Why is okra slimy?
Okra pods contain a mucilage that thickens soups and stews. Roasting, grilling or frying whole pods keeps them less slimy.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow okra; Kings Seeds NZ: Okra Clemson Spineless.