The Okra - A Little History and Some Growing Instructions Okra is a beautiful ornamental plant which produces flowers which resemble hollyhock or hibiscus blossoms as well as a delicious and nutritious vegetable. Okra most likely originated in northeast Africa where okra plants can be found growing wild along the banks of the White Nile River and where it has been part of the cuisine for thousands of years. The name, “okra”, comes from the West African Ashanti word, “nkruma”, and its Cajun name, “gumbo”, comes from the Bantu word, “ngombo”. Okra was brought to the United States in the 1660s by slaves. Okra grows best in warm, humid weather and requires full sun. In more temperate climates, to grow okra, the seed must be started indoors, 4-6 weeks
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