- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 55–60 days
Family: Malvaceae
Native: Unknown; probably tropical Africa and Asia
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual. In frost-free areas, okra may be grown as a perennial.
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 4' tall, 24" wide. Can grow taller in longer season areas.
Variety Info: Dark red, grooved pods best harvested at 6" or shorter. 'Red Burgundy' is touted as the most productive red variety.
Attributes: Heat Tolerant, Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date.
When to Start Inside: Recommended for cold climates only: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 70°F, ideally 80°–90°F. Use biodegradable pots to reduce root disturbance.
Days to Emerge: 10 –15 days
Seed Depth: ½"–1"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 18"–24"
Row Spacing: 4' apart
Thinning: When 4" tall thin to 1 every 18"–24"
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Okra is most tender when harvested at about 3"-4" long. Cut the thick stem with a sharp knife. The use of gloves and long sleeves is advised, as some people have an allergic reaction to the foliage. After initial harvest, removal of the lowest set of leaves will increase production. Harvest regularly; if pods are allowed to mature, plant will stop producing.
- cynthia w. m.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars2/21/26Wonderful okra!
This variety of okra grew wonderfully in zone 6. Produced a lot of pods, produced well into fall and even when the nighttime temps dropped a lot. The okra pods were not very prickly at all and didn't have many of those annoying little strands around their tops. If left to get large, as with most all okra, they did get tough. The red color made them easy to find and harvest on the plants. They were the nicest okra I've grown. Will definitely be buying this variety again.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Kimberly D.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars2/17/26Simply Refused to Quit!
So I first planted Botanical Interest's Red Burgundy Okra near 10 years ago when I lived in Los Angeles County California. They grew in very poor soil that was heavily amended, only got about 3-4 ft tall, the same as the Clemson Spineless that we also grew. It was the first time we ever grew this Red Burgundy variety and we were so impressed that it's the only variety of okra we ever want to grow. The pods were tender and perfect, even the ones that got "too long." The plants even survived someone taking all the leaves off the plant...we had strange neighbors who I think thought they were something else. Fast forward and we're now in Central Texas, zone 8a/8b. I purchased a new pack of seeds after our move here 3 years ago and forgot about them because there was so much work to do on the house we bought, gardening wasn't in the cards. Until last July when I decided to see if they'd still sprout. I soaked 8 seeds overnight and all 8 seeds sprouted. So my husband built a raised bed out of some cinder blocks and we picked up some cheap garden soil from our city's soil station to fill it and planted all 8. Again, this was then end of July 2025. Those 8 plants grew and grew and grew. They towered over us in that little raised bed, and they had stalks that were like tree trunks they were so thick. I forget when they started blooming, but we literally were harvesting 4 to 5 okra off each of these 8 plants right up until January 25, 2026 when we got windchill below zero and it was 10…
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerBIBotanical Interests2/20/26Hey Kimberly,
Wow! What an incredible Red Burgundy Okra journey you've shared with us! From Los Angeles to Central Texas, these plants have truly proven they're champions in your garden. We're absolutely amazed that they kept producing for you from July all the way until January - that's the kind of performance that makes our gardening hearts sing! And those 3-year-old seeds sprouting at 100%? That's a testament to both the quality of our seeds and your excellent growing skills. We love hearing that the pods stayed tender even when they got "too long" - that's one of the special qualities that makes Red Burgundy so fantastic. The fact that your plants survived having all their leaves stripped off and came back stronger than ever just shows how resilient this variety truly is! Tree trunk-thick stalks towering over you sounds like okra paradise! We're so thrilled that Red Burgundy has earned such a special place in your garden that you'll never grow anything else. Thank you for choosing us and for sharing this absolutely wonderful success story with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Vanessa H.TX, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/19/25Great Okra
I love the uniqueness of this okra. It's definitely a conversation starter.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? FamiliesHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed - NancyTN, United StatesVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/31/25My Favorite!
These are the most beautiful plants I have ever seen. Tall, gorgeous, red stalks, and beautiful yellow flowers! Oh, and the okra! It produced tons of Okra that was not only beautiful but tasty! One warning! Do not plant in an elevated bed unless you have a good ladder, these stalks grow 4-5 foot tall!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? FamiliesHow do you prefer to grow? Container - Jenna C.Rated 5 out of 5 stars1/13/255 Stars
I am not even an okra person but I saw these seeds at a plant shop years ago and ever since I've been growing a few plants from the same exact seed packet and without fail I have 100% germination. I had not stored these seeds well the first couple years and yet here we are at least 4 years later and they keep going. Only seed brand I buy from anymore and I've tried all the brands for my garden. (Zones 7 and 8 grown in)