Okra is a warm-weather loving vegetable that thrives in hot, humid summers. Many gardeners directly sow okra seeds outdoors after the last spring frost date. However, okra can also be started indoors from seed weeks earlier, allowing for an earlier harvest. So can you start okra indoors?
The answer is yes! Starting okra indoors is completely doable as long as some key factors are considered
Pick a Fast-Growing Variety
When growing okra indoors, it’s best to select a fast-maturing, early producer variety. Some good options include:
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Clemson Spineless – heirloom, quick grower, 3″ pods
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Annie Oakley II – high-yield hybrid, 4-5″ pods
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Cajun Delight – early maturity, tolerates cooler temps
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Burgundy – pretty red pods productive plants
These fast-growing varieties will mature quickly indoors and transplant well outside.
Timing is Critical
Decide on your ideal outdoor transplant date based on your last spring frost. Count backwards 6-8 weeks from that date to determine when to start okra seeds indoors.
Okra seeds need warm soil to germinate, so don’t start too early indoors. Aim for 4-6 weeks before transplanting.
Soak Seeds to Hasten Germination
Okra seeds have a hard outer coating that can delay germination. To speed up the process, soak okra seeds in warm water overnight before planting indoors.
Sow Seeds in Sterile Seed Starting Mix
Fill starter pots or cell trays with sterile, soilless seed starting mix. Sow 2-3 okra seeds 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch deep in each container. Cover lightly with mix.
Provide Warmth for Germination
Okra seeds germinate best at temperatures around 70-80°F. Consider placing seed trays on a heat mat or germination station for optimal results.
Grow On in Warmth and Full Sun
Once sprouted, move okra seedlings to the brightest, warmest spot you have indoors. A south facing window is ideal. Add grow lights to ensure 14-16 hours of daily light.
Acclimate and Transplant Outside
About 1-2 weeks before your target transplant date, start acclimating okra seedlings to outdoor conditions. Slowly introduce them to sun, wind, and cooler temps. Transplant outside based on your last frost date, spacing 18-24 inches apart in warm soil. Pinch off lower leaves and plant deep, keeping 2-3 sets of true leaves above ground.
Be Patient!
Okra is tropical and grows best in hot, humid summers. Don’t expect fruits right after transplanting. It may take a few weeks for plants to establish and begin flowering and fruit production. But once summer heat kicks in, they’ll take off!
With the right timing, soil warmth, and plenty of light, starting okra indoors can give your plants a head start on the season. Just be sure to select fast-growing varieties suited to indoor sowing. Follow these tips, and you can enjoy okra sooner by successfully starting the seeds indoors.
Tried And True Okra Varieties
Jambalaya Okra is a hybrid variety that is the most productive we’ve ever tried. Plants produce heavy yields of green pods that are great for pickling, frying, and stewing.
Productive plants produce pods that can reach 7-9″ in length, but are best harvested between 3-4″ long. Large plants will grow as large as 6′ in optimally-warm growing conditions.
Green Fingers Okra is a special hybrid variety that grows small, tasty 3–4-inch green pods. It does well in gardens of all sizes, but it was bred to be small enough to grow in pots.
Seed Start Supply List
- 162 Seed Tray
- Heavy Duty Bottom Tray
- Hanging Light Kit
- Sungro Seed Starting Mix
- Dramm Watering Can
- Dr. Joe Nutri Bubble
- Dr. Joe Growing Bubble
- Temperature Controlled Greenhouse
- 162 Seed Tray
- Fogg-It Mist Nozzle
- Sungro Seed Starting Mix
- 100 or 150 Watt Germination Mat
- Germination Thermostat
- Hoss Premium 20-20-20 Fertilizer
- Put some of the seed starting mix that came with the tray into each cell. Put a little of the mix into each cell with your hands. Keep a little aside to cover the seeds in the last step.
- Place the starting tray on top of the bottom tray and lightly water the seed starting mix from above to make it very wet. 3–4 times to make sure all of the soil in the cells is wet. Water should be dripping from the bottom of the trays.
- Make a small indentation in the center of each cell. Look on the back of your seed packet or at the product page on hosstools.com. com for correct planting depth. Starting seeds too deep can prevent or delay germination.
- Put one seed in each hole and cover it very lightly with the rest of the seed starting mix from step 1. Attach the clear humidity dome that came with our seed starting kit to the tray and wait for the seedlings to come up.
- The best temperature for okra seed germination is between 90°F and 95°F, whether you are starting indoors or outdoors. Check the temperature often and make changes as needed.
- Take off the humidity dome when at least half of the seedlings have grown leaves. Going forward, it is important to keep the soil moist to make sure good germination. Water once or twice a day, or more often if the soil looks dry.
- The seed starting kits come with a reservoir tray that can be used to grow plants indoors and keep watering clean. It should be emptied every time it’s watered from above so that water doesn’t sit there and make a breeding ground for diseases.
- Once the seedlings get their second set of leaves, which are called true leaves, use 20-20-20 fertilizer once a week. Add one scoop for every gallon of water and the water from above.
- It will be time to transplant the seedlings when they have strong roots and can be easily taken out of their trays.
Starting Okra Indoors
FAQ
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