It can be grown in sandy loam soils. The most ideal pH range for its cultivation is 6.0 to 6.8.

It is a warm season crop and prefers warm and humid climate. It is sensitive to frost. Plant growth is greater in rainy season, compared to summer season.

Okra is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus etc and vitamin A, B, C. Okra is good for people suffering from renal colic, lecorrhoea and general weakness. Okra has high iodine content and it has ability to control goiter. The roots and stem are used for clarifying cane juice and in the manufacture of gur or brown sugar. Mature fruits and stems contain fruit fibre and used in paper industry.

Rainy season crop is sown in June-July throughout India. In north India hills the crop is sown during April-June. About 20-25 kg seed/ha is required for summer crop and 12-15 kg seed/ha is required for rainy season crop. The field is laid out in to ridges and furrows in flat bed. Sowing can be done by broad cast, line sowing and dibbling method. Okra is sown with spacing of 45 x 30 cm in summer season and of 60 x 30 cm rainy season.

Well decomposed FYM @ 20 t/ha applied thoroughly in soil at the time of field preparation. Besides this 100 kg N, 60 kg P and 60 kg K are recommended.

Weeds cause more than 50% reduction in the marketable yield of okra. Frequent weedings are necessary to keep the crop weed free. First weeding may be done at 15-20 days and second at 40-45 days after sowing to keep the crop weed free at critical stages. Germination commences in 10 to 15 days of sowing and it can be over in another week. Drip irrigation gives higher yield compared to furrow irrigation.

Pods are ready for harvesting in about 45 to 65 days after sowing depending on variety and season. Only tender and small fruits (6-10cm long) should be harvested preferably in the evening or morning. Pickings are taken at an interval of 3-4 days. Okra gives yield 80-100 q/ha in summer season and 125-150 q/ha in rainy season. Okra can be stored just for 2 to 3 days under room temperature conditions.