Dwarf Long Green Pod Okra is a tender, heat loving annual. Heirloom Okra seed can be direct sown in hot climates, or started indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost for an early crop or in cooler climates. Soaking Okra seeds for 2 hours before planting will speed germination. When to Start Okra Seeds. Start your okra seeds indoors anywhere from mid-March to mid-April, depending on where you live. It takes four to six weeks for the seeds to germinate and grow strong enough to transplant outside, so count back three weeks from the expected last frost date, and you'll know when to start the seeds. Over watering okra can cause root rot and disfigured plants. Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, lady's fingers, is a flowering plant in the mallow family native to East Africa. Cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world for its edible green seed pods, okra is featured in the cuisines of many countries. Lady Fingers Ochro Gumbo Bhindi Clemson Spineless