How to Dry Okra Seeds

Drying Okra on the Plant

Pick out a plant that blooms early and produces lots of well-formed pods. Choose a plant that produces about 3-5 pods. Tie a small ribbon around the plant that you have chosen. This is the plant that you will use for seeds. The ribbon helps to distinguish it from your other plants, so that you don’t accidentally pick the fruit while harvesting at the end of the season.

Wait until the end of the growing season to save the fruit for seeds. Leaving the pods on the plant to mature slows down the development of new pods and can make them tough for eating. If you want your plant to keep producing fruit, it’s best to wait until the end of the season to save a pod for seeds. Plan to pick your final harvest around September (depending on your area). This will give you enough time to grow and harvest your pod for seeding before the frost hits.

Keep the chosen okra on the plant until it is dry and brittle. Okra matures about 50-65 days after it has been planted. It’s at this point that the okra can begin being harvested to eat. Wait several weeks after this point to save the seeds. The pods will become hard and woody, and will turn brown. Some varieties may grow up to 6–9 inches (15–23 cm) before they begin to dry out. Watch the plant daily. This is so you can remove the dried pod once it begins to split. If you wait too long, it may split completely open and release the seeds before you have a chance to collect them.

Clip the okra ⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) below the pod. Use garden shears or a sharp knife to snip the okra from the plant. Place the pods in a bowl or a basket while you continue to work. Be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves when you are handling the okra. The fruit has prickly hairs and spines that can irritate your skin.

Break the okra pods open to remove the seeds. Use your fingers to split the pod down the side or twist it until it breaks open. Because the pods are dried out, most of the seeds should just fall out of the pod. For seeds that are stuck in their compartments, simply use your fingers to remove the seeds. Place the seeds in a bowl or on a plate.

Sort through the seeds. Throw away any that are bruised or damaged. If you find that some seeds are still damp, place them on a clean cloth or paper towel and set them aside. Store the damp seeds in a cool, dry place for up to one week to allow them to finish drying.

Store the dried okra seeds in an airtight container. You can use a mason jar or a plastic container or baggie. Keep the seeds in a cool, dry place like a kitchen pantry or in the refrigerator. The dried seeds can be viable for up to 4 years; however many of the seeds do not last that long. For the best results, plant your okra seeds during the next growing season.

Drying Picked Okra

Cut the okra from the the plant when it is 5 or 6 inches (12 -15 cm) long. Use garden shears or a sharp knife to cut the okra from the stem about ⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) below the pod. Be careful when handling the okra and the plant. Wear gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from the prickly hairs and sharp spines because they can irritate your skin.

Store the full okra pods in a cool, dark place to allow them to dry. Use a food drying rack if you have one, or place a clean towel on a baking pan. Arrange the okra in a single layer and store them in a pantry, laundry room, or another place that is away from sunlight.

Check on the okra daily for up to 10 days. The okra will be ready to deseed when the pods are completely dry, brittle, and beginning to crack.

Split or twist the okra to open it up and remove the seeds. Use your hands to gently split the pod. Since your okra pod has been able to completely dry out, the seeds should fall out very easily. Use your fingers to remove any seeds that are stuck in the small chambers inside the pod. Place the seeds on a plate or in a bowl while you continue deseeding the okra.

Throw away any okra seeds that are bruised or damaged. If some of the seeds are still damp, place them on a clean cloth or paper towel and set them aside. Allow the damp seeds to continue drying in a cool, dry place for up to one week.

Put the dried okra seeds in an airtight container to store them. Keep the seeds in a cool, dry location such as a kitchen pantry or refrigerator until you are ready to plant them. The dried seeds may be stored for up to 4 years; however many of the seeds may lose their viability. For the best results, plant the seeds in the next growing season.