Candle Fire Okra
Best red okra for gardeners in cooler northern climates.
Introducing the Candle Fire Okra from Territorial Seed Company, an exceptional hybrid variety perfect for extending okra growing into cooler climates. This All-America Selections Winner stands out with its smooth, round, true red pods, offering a unique twist on traditional okra. It's a vigorous and disease-resistant plant that promises abundant yields, making it ideal for gumbo, pickling, and various culinary creations. Beyond its harvest, the Candle Fire Okra is a stunning ornamental addition to any garden, showcasing beautiful hibiscus-like blooms. Enjoy succulent fruits with consistent watering and full sun.
$32.60
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3177
/ 6090
#3177 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
+207%
Above average
Botanical Name
Abelmoschus esculentus
/ Abelmoschus esculentus
Who it's for
- Small-space gardeners maximizing their seasonal harvest output
- Sensitive harvesters avoiding skin irritation from prickly okra spines
- Busy cooks needing a forgiving window for harvesting tender pods
Who should skip it
- Northern gardeners with short, cool growing seasons
- Casual growers unable to commit to daily garden maintenance
- Beginner gardeners seeking low-maintenance, pest-resistant vegetable varieties
Performance breakdown
Climate Adaptability
Early maturity makes this a game-changer for short northern growing seasons.
Ornamental Appeal
Stunning red pods and hibiscus-like blooms elevate any garden aesthetic.
Yield Potential
Vigorous hybrid genetics ensure a heavy harvest for consistent kitchen use.
Disease Resistance
Robust plant health minimizes common garden setbacks for reliable production.
Culinary Versatility
Smooth, tender pods perform beautifully in gumbos, pickles, and stir-fries.
Ease of Germination
Simple seed soaking techniques significantly improve emergence rates for home gardeners.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Abelmoschus esculentus
Days to Maturity
30 days
Seed Depth
0.5 inch
Days to Emergence
7–15 days
Plant Spacing
12–18 inches
Row Spacing
36 inches
Soil pH Requirement
6.0-7.0
Minimum Germination
65%
Features
- Smooth, round, true red pods
- Extra early maturity for northern gardens
- Highly ornamental with stunning blooms
- Vigorous and disease resistant
- Heavy yielder
- Awarded All-America Selections Winner
- Hybrid variety
- Hastens germination with seed soaking
What customers say
Gardeners praise the Candle Fire Okra for its exceptional reliability and superior quality. This variety consistently delivers outstanding germination and quick plant establishment, leading to a prolific, steady harvest. A key advantage is that the pods maintain their tenderness and excellent flavor, even as they grow larger, addressing a common okra frustration. Expect a dependable growing experience with superb culinary results, making it a top choice for consistent okra production.
Know before you buy
No, this variety is not recommended for container gardening. It performs best when planted directly in the ground with adequate space for its root system.
Candle Fire is an extra-early maturing hybrid specifically bred to thrive in cooler climates. Its shorter time to maturity allows you to harvest successfully before the first frost in shorter growing seasons.
Okra seeds have a hard seed coat that can slow down sprouting. You can hasten germination by soaking the seeds in water for a few hours before planting them at a depth of 0.5 inches.
While the pods are a vibrant, true red when raw, they will typically lose their red pigment and turn green once cooked. They retain their excellent texture and flavor regardless of the color change.
For optimal airflow and yield, space your plants 12 to 18 inches apart within the row, with 36 inches between each row. This spacing helps the plant remain vigorous and disease-resistant throughout the season.
Candle Fire Okra thrives in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Ensure the planting site receives full sun and maintain consistent watering to support the plant's heavy production.
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$33