10 Okra Companion Plants That Will Improve Your Crop

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a breeze to grow in Southern gardens. The plant is native to Africa and well adapted to summer heat and dry weather. Plant it in full sun once the soil temperature has warmed to 70˚F, and water enough to keep the soil from drying out. After beautiful yellow flowers appear on the plant, it only takes about five days for them to transform into edible seedpods. The pods grow quickly; for ideal tenderness, harvest them when they are about 3 inches long.

Generally, okra is not particular about its neighbors but what you plant next to it can make a difference. By planting it together with other suitable crops, you can minimize pests and help your okra plants reach their full potential.

Here are the 10 best okra companion plants.

Radishes

• Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Well-drained, loose
• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)

Radishes work well near okra because their deep taproots loosen up the soil, making it easier for okra to grow and thrive. Radishes are fast-growing and you can start harvesting about a month after the seedlings emerge. Plant radish seeds 1 to 2 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart and thin seedlings to 2 to 3 inches apart.

Cucumbers

• Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

As long as cucumbers have enough space to spread in a sunny spot, they make excellent companions for okra because they both love a lot of water and rich soil. Cucumbers do not tolerate frost, so plant them after the last frost. They grow quickly and benefit from a trellis or other form of support to keep the vines off the ground. Planting cucumbers near okra provides them with welcome shade and prevents scorching in hot summer weather.

Peppers

• Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.8)

Cabbage worms hate pepper plants, which is good news for okra. Those worms may be named for cabbage, but they love okra, too, and will destroy a crop. Put a few pepper plants nearby and those pesky worms will stay away. Grow them in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Like okra, they need warm temperatures to thrive.

Peas

• Botanical Name: Pisum sativum
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Rich, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.5)

Green peas (English peas) and okra make excellent companions because they don’t compete for space or resources. Peas are a spring vegetable and by the time the okra plants are sprouting and spreading, the peas will have already produced their crops. Give them organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun where they have some shelter.

Melons

• Botanical Name: Citrillus lanatus, Cucumis melo
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Loamy, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)

Melons love sun and water, making them an excellent option to plant alongside okra. The rambling melon vines will decrease the competition from weeds. Plus the height difference means okra can shade the melon vines from the full afternoon sun. Both melons and okra are warm-season crops that like sun and well-draining soil.

Lettuce

• Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial
• Soil Type: Rich, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

Okra is a great next-door neighbor for lettuce or any tender-leaved plant because it grows tall enough to shade neighboring plants from the scorching summer sun. Plant your lettuce in between okra plants. The shallow roots of the lettuce won’t compete with the water and nutrients that okra needs.

Basil

• Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.5)

This strong scent of basil can repel some of the pests that like to turn okra into a buffet while pollinators are attracted to basil flowers. Specifically, stink bugs, aphids, and spider mites aren’t big fans of the strong basil aroma. Basil thrives in sun and heat, but it can take afternoon shade in hotter climates. Keep its soil moist but not soggy.

Zinnias

• Botanical Name: Zinnia spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.5)

Mixing vegetables with flowers maximizes garden space and zinnia’s pretty blooms make great companions for okra. Not only do they look gorgeous, but brightly colored flowers like zinnias attract pollinators, which will visit the okra blooms too. That’s good news for okra lovers because it usually results in large, plump pods, which means more okra to go around. Zinnias thrive in warm temperatures and full sun and bloom from summer through fall. Give them moist, well-drained soil. Some zinnia varieties need to be deadheaded to encourage more blooming.

Oregano

• Botanical Name: Origanum spp.
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.5-7.0)

A patch of oregano can be beneficial to your okra crop. Oregano’s strong fragrance deters pests that seek out okra and attracts pollinators to the garden. Oregano is a compact, low-growing plant that suppresses weeds around the base of the okra plants and doesn’t compete for space. It prospers in sun but benefits from afternoon shade in hotter climates. Because it is drought-tolerant, it does not take moisture away from okra.

Sunflowers

• Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Type: Loamy. well-drained
• Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.8)

Like zinnias, sunflowers attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs, bees, and other pollinators that will help pollinate garden crops, and that’s good for your crop of okra and whatever other vegetables are nearby. Pollinators move from the sunflowers to the okra blooms, encouraging okra production. They also act as a windbreak for more delicate plants in the garden. Give them lots of sun and loose, well-draining soil.