Abelmoschus esculentus 'Clemson Spineless'
okra 'Clemson Spineless'
A nearly thorn-free annual which grows to around 1.5m in a summer. It has palmate green leaves and cream flowers with a dark red eye. These are produced in small clusters daily, which then develop into elongated green fruits, best harvested at 4-5cm long.
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Red | Green | Green | |
| Autumn | Cream Red | Green | Green | |
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- Genus
Abelmoschus are hairy annuals or perennials with large, usually palmately-lobed leaves and 5-petalled, hibiscus-like, flowers borne in the leaf axils or in terminal racemes
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive soil under glass
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Edible fruit
Pruning
No pruning required. Keep harvesting young seed pods to prolong flowering. Wear gloves to protect against irritating hairs on stems
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.