Crop type: Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus ‘Clemson Spineless’
Common name: Okra ‘Clemson Spineless’
Crop slug: okra
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile and its linked crop guidance. Check the sources and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Clemson Spineless’ is a popular, nearly thorn-free okra grown as a tender annual for its abundant elongated green pods. In warm conditions it develops rapidly into an upright, branching plant with large palmate leaves. Cream, hibiscus-like flowers, each marked with a dark-red eye, appear in small clusters and are followed by pods that can be harvested almost daily at peak production.
The cultivar is especially valuable under glass in the UK, where reliable warmth extends its flowering and harvest period. Its pods are at their most tender when only 4–5cm long. Although the name refers to reduced spines, fine hairs on the plant may still irritate skin, so gloves and long sleeves are sensible when tending and picking it.
2 - Size
- Typical seasonal height
- around 1.5 metres in a warm summer
- Ultimate height range
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- Ultimate spread
- 1–1.5 metres
- Time to ultimate size
- one year
The plant has a columnar but branching, upright and spreading habit. Give it enough headroom in a greenhouse and provide a sturdy cane before the stem becomes tall and top-heavy. In the shorter UK growing season it may remain below the profile's ultimate range.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soil
- Fertile loam
- Moisture
- Moist but well drained
- Preferred pH
- Acid, neutral or alkaline
Under glass, plant into fertile, moisture-retentive soil that drains freely. Enrich a greenhouse border before planting, or use peat-free multi-purpose compost in a container at least 30cm wide and deep. Keep moisture even: drought may cause flowers and young pods to drop, while stagnant wet compost restricts roots.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- North-, south-, east- or west-facing where full light and warmth are provided
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H2; tender and tolerant of low temperatures only when above freezing
A greenhouse, polytunnel or conservatory provides the most dependable British crop. Outdoors, reserve the cultivar for a very warm, sheltered patio or border in a long hot summer. Plant out only after nights are reliably warm, protect it from cold wind and bring container plants under cover if necessary.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
Large green leaves are palmately divided and create a bold tropical outline. Through summer, cream flowers with conspicuous dark-red centres open among the foliage. These develop into narrow, elongated green fruits held prominently on the branching stems. Harvesting pods young preserves their smooth, tender appearance and encourages further flowers.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous annual growth
- Habit
- Columnar, upright, spreading and branched
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Abelmoschus contains annual and perennial plants from warm regions, closely related to hibiscus. They bear lobed or divided leaves and showy mallow-like flowers. Okra is cultivated for the immature seed pods produced soon after flowering.
Safety
The young pods are edible when cooked. Plant hairs can irritate skin, even on a nearly spineless cultivar, so cover arms and wear gloves for pruning, training and harvest. Handle freshly cut pods gently because their skin bruises easily.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow in March or April after soaking seed for about two hours in warm water. Sow individually in small pots or modules of moist peat-free compost and keep above 16°C. Provide good light after germination and pot on carefully without disturbing the roots.
Move plants to their final greenhouse, growing-bag or large-container positions in late May or June when about 10–15cm tall. Space ground plants 30–90cm apart according to available room. Water steadily with tepid water and check greenhouse containers frequently in hot weather.
Feed container plants weekly with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser once the first flowers open. Tie the main stem to a cane and pinch out the growing tip at about 60cm to encourage productive side shoots. Harvest pods at 4–5cm with a knife or secateurs; frequent picking prolongs flowering.
Propagation
Propagate by seed under warm conditions. Individual pots or modules minimise root disturbance when seedlings are moved on.
Suggested locations
- Conservatory or greenhouse
- Polytunnel border
- Large patio container
- Growing bag
- Warm sheltered edible garden
Pruning
No routine pruning is required. Pinch the main tip to encourage branching, remove yellow or damaged leaves and harvest young pods regularly to extend flowering.
Pests
May be susceptible under glass to red spider mite and whitefly. Inspect leaf undersides, maintain steady moisture and use suitable biological controls before infestations become established.
Diseases
Grey mould may develop in crowded, humid or stale conditions. Space plants generously, ventilate on warm days and remove fading flowers and dead foliage promptly.