14 Best Companion Plants for Okra

Check out the Best Companion Plants for Okra that will help you with a bountiful harvest! This is a great way to ensure a productive garden.

Many gardeners adore the tasty pods and numerous culinary applications of okra, a warm-season vegetable. However, like all plants, okra can benefit from the presence of other plants in the garden. In this article, we will explore some of the Best Companion Plants for Okra.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different crops in close proximity to one another in order to benefit their growth, deter pests, and promote a healthy ecosystem. The idea is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between plants by taking advantage of their natural properties.

It is often used in organic and sustainable agriculture as a way to reduce the need for synthetic pesticides and fertilizers while promoting a healthy and diverse ecosystem.

To learn about Companion Planting Combination Ideas, Check Here

What is Okra?

Okra, also known as lady’s finger, is a warm-season vegetable that is commonly used in cooking in many parts of the world, particularly in the Southern United States, the Middle East, and Africa. The plant is characterized by its green, elongated, pod-like fruits, which are commonly eaten when young and tender.

The pods contain small edible seeds and a slimy substance that is released when cooked. Okra is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and other nutrients and is often used in stews, soups, and curries, as well as pickled or fried. It is also commonly used as a thickening agent in gumbo, a popular dish in Southern US cuisine.

Here is How To Grow Lady Fingers In Containers

Best Companion Plants for Okra

1. Cucumber

Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus

USDA Zones: 3-8

Growing cucumber and okra together can be a great way to maximize your garden space, attract beneficial insects, and diversify your harvest. With a little planning and care, these two vegetables can thrive together and provide a bountiful harvest for you to enjoy.

Here are Functional DIY Cucumber Trellis Ideas

2. Basil

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum

USDA Zones: 10-11

Do you know if you plant basil with okra, then the basil can help to repel common okra problems like aphids and whiteflies? Not only this but basil can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can help to ensure that the okra plants produce a good crop.

Okra, on the other hand, can provide some shade and support for the basil plants.

Here are Basil Companion Plants+What You Should Not Plant with Basil

3. Melons

Botanical Name: Cucumis melo

USDA Zones:  2-11

Melons and okra are two popular warm-season crops that are often grown in separate gardens. However, did you know that these two plants can be grown together to maximize space, nutrients, and overall yield?

By combining melons and okra in the same garden bed, you can create a diverse and productive garden that provides both delicious fruits and vegetables.

Here are the Best Watermelon Companion Plants and the Bad Ones

4. Peppers

Botanical Name: Capsicum

USDA Zones: 8-11

Peppers and okra can benefit each other when planted close together; okra can provide shade for the peppers during the hottest part of the day, while the peppers can provide protection from predators for the okra.

Furthermore, okra can help to improve the soil quality for the peppers, providing natural nutrients and helping to retain water. Additionally, the okra can act as a trap crop, drawing pests away from the peppers.

Check Here to know the Top Secrets of Growing the Best Pepper Plants

5. Lettuce

Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa

USDA Zones: 2a – 11b

Lettuce plants have a low, compact growth habit, while okra plants have a more upright growth habit. When these two plants are grown together, the lettuce can grow in the shade of the taller okra plants, providing them with much-needed relief from the hot sun.

In addition to space optimization, growing lettuce and okra together can also improve soil health – as okra has the ability to improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in the soil.

Learn some Brilliant Lettuce Harvesting Tips here

6. Parsley

Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum

USDA Zones: 3-9

Parsley can act as a natural mulch, as its leaves keep on falling, keeping the soil moist and reducing the number of weeds. The okra will also benefit from the shade provided by the parsley, allowing it to grow faster.

Additionally, okra’s deep roots can help aerate the soil, making them great companions for parsley.

Learn Growing Parsley in Pots & Containers here

7. Tarragon

Botanical Name: Artemisia dracunculus

USDA Zones: 4-9

Tarragon is a relatively low-maintenance herb that does not require a lot of space, while okra plants can grow quite tall and provide shade for the tarragon. Additionally, tarragon can help repel certain pests that can be harmful to okra plants, making them a natural companion in the garden.

8. Cosmos

Botanical Name: Cosmos sulphureus

USDA Zones: 2-11

Cosmos are known for their bright and colorful flowers, while okra is a vegetable that is prized for its delicious and nutritious pods.

When planted together, cosmos and okra can create a stunning visual display while also providing a bountiful harvest, maximizing space, and enhancing soil health.

9. Peas

Botanical Name: Pisum sativum

USDA Zones: 3-11

Peas are a cool-season crop that thrives in the early spring and fall, while okra is a warm-season crop that prefers hot and humid weather.

Interestingly, by planting these two vegetables together, you can stagger their growing seasons and harvests, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh produce throughout the growing season.

Learn Growing Peas in Pots & Containers here

10. Radishes

Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus

USDA Zones: 2-11

Planting radishes and okra together can complement each other very well, both in terms of growth habits and flavor. For example, the roots of radish seedlings help to soften the soil as they grow, which in turn makes it simpler for okra to grow and thrive nearby.

Here are Types of Radishes For Containers

11. Chives

Botanical Name: Allium schoenoprasum

USDA Zones: 3-10

Chives are a member of the onion family and are prized for their mild, onion-like flavor and attractive, grass-like foliage. When grown together, chives can help repel certain pests that can damage okra plants, such as aphids and spider mites.

Chives can also attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate the okra plants and increase yields.

To Grow Chives Indoors All-Year-Round, Check Here

12. Cilantro

Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum

USDA Zones: 8-11

Growing cilantro and okra together can be a rewarding and efficient way to cultivate two different plants in the same space. Both have different root depths – which means both plants can coexist without competing for nutrients and water.

Cilantro can provide shade for the okra during the hottest part of the day, which can help prevent the soil from drying out too quickly.

Here is How to Grow Cilantro From Stems

13. Zinnias

Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans

USDA Zones: 3-10

There are several reasons why growing zinnias and okra together is a smart choice. For one, zinnias attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can help to increase the yield of your okra plants.

Additionally, zinnias are known to repel pests like aphids and spider mites, which can damage your okra plants.

Here is all about Growing Zinnias in Pots

14. Sunflowers

Botanical Name: Helianthus

USDA Zones: 4-9

Sunflowers can provide shade for okra and other vegetables, while okra can help to deter some pests. Planting sunflowers near okra can help to attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and can also provide nutrients to the soil.

Here is How To Grow Sunflowers On The Balcony