When it comes to gardening, we all have our favorite plants that we love to grow.
Okra, with its delicious taste and versatility in southern dishes, is certainly a popular choice.
But just as it’s important to know which plants make great companions for okra, it’s equally important to know which plants to avoid.
In this article, I’ll share with you 12 plants that you should never grow with okra.
Trust me, you’ll want to save yourself the heartache and keep these troublemakers far away from your beloved okra plants.
1. Potatoes
Potatoes and okra may make a tasty duo in the kitchen, but they’re not the best of friends in the garden.
Both plants compete for sunlight and nutrients, making it difficult for them to thrive when planted too close together.
Potatoes also attract pests like Colorado potato beetles, which can spread to your okra plants.
The excess moisture potatoes require can also lead to fungal diseases, which can harm your okra plants.
Keep potatoes far away from your okra, and you’ll have a better chance of a bountiful harvest.
2. Fennel
Fennel is an aromatic herb that unfortunately doesn’t play well with okra.
Its strong scent can actually inhibit the growth of nearby plants, including okra.
Fennel also attracts pests like aphids, which can easily migrate over to your precious okra plants.
To make matters worse, fennel’s allelopathic compounds can stunt the growth of your okra, impacting its yield and overall health.
To keep your okra healthy and strong, keep fennel out of your garden.
3. Onions
Onions may make you cry for more reasons than one.
When grown near okra, onions can compete for nutrients and water, making it hard for both plants to thrive.
Additionally, onions can attract pests like thrips, which can also infest your okra plants.
Moreover, onions can harbor fungal diseases that can affect okra plants, like powdery mildew and downy mildew.
So to avoid a tearful gardening experience, plant onions at a safe distance from your okra.
4. Garlic
Garlic might be a fantastic flavor enhancer, but it’s not the best neighbor for your okra.
Like onions, garlic can compete with okra for nutrients and water, leading to weaker plants and a reduced harvest.
Garlic also attracts pests like onion maggots and thrips, which can infest your okra plants.
To protect your okra, keep garlic far away and enjoy the flavor benefits in the kitchen only.
5. Asparagus
Asparagus and okra may both be delicious veggies, but they don’t make good garden buddies.
These two plants have different nutrient requirements, making it challenging to maintain healthy soil when they’re grown together.
Asparagus also has a deep root system, which can compete with okra roots for water and essential nutrients.
To ensure the success of both your asparagus and okra, it’s best to plant them separately.
6. Mint
Mint may be refreshing in your favorite drinks, but it’s not a welcome addition to your okra garden.
Mint is an aggressive grower that can easily overtake nearby plants, including okra, by spreading through its vigorous root system.
It can also attract pests like spider mites and aphids, which can easily make their way to your okra plants.
To keep your okra safe and mint under control, it’s best to plant mint in containers and away from your okra bed.
7. Cabbage
While cabbage and okra may be staples of southern cuisine, they don’t fare well together in the garden.
Cabbage requires cooler temperatures to grow, while okra thrives in the heat, making their growing conditions incompatible.
Cabbage can also attract pests like cabbage worms and flea beetles, which could potentially harm your okra plants if they decide to wander over.
Additionally, cabbage has a dense root system that can compete with okra for nutrients and water in the soil.
To ensure the success of both your cabbage and okra plants, it’s best to give them their own separate spaces in the garden.
8. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts, like cabbage, don’t mix well with okra in the garden.
They also prefer cooler temperatures, which can make it difficult for okra to thrive when planted nearby.
Brussels sprouts can attract pests like cabbage worms and aphids, which could potentially damage your okra plants.
Moreover, Brussels sprouts have a similar root system to cabbage, which can compete with okra for essential nutrients and water.
Give your okra and Brussels sprouts the space they need to flourish by planting them in separate garden beds.
9. Broccoli
Broccoli might be a nutritional powerhouse, but it’s not a good companion for okra in the garden.
Like cabbage and Brussels sprouts, broccoli prefers cooler growing conditions, making it difficult for okra to thrive when planted together.
Broccoli can also attract pests like cabbage worms and aphids, putting your okra plants at risk.
Furthermore, broccoli’s large root system can compete with okra for nutrients and water, affecting the overall health of your okra plants.
For the best results, plant broccoli and okra in separate areas of your garden.
10. Cauliflower
Cauliflower may be a versatile vegetable, but it doesn’t make a good neighbor for okra.
Similar to other members of the Brassica family, cauliflower thrives in cooler temperatures, which doesn’t align with okra’s warm-weather preferences.
Cauliflower can attract pests like cabbage worms and aphids, posing a threat to your okra plants.
It also shares the same root competition issues as broccoli and cabbage, making it a less-than-ideal companion for okra.
Give your cauliflower and okra plants their best chance at success by planting them separately.
11. Spinach
Spinach is a cool-weather crop that doesn’t get along well with heat-loving okra.
These plants have different temperature requirements, making it challenging to grow them together successfully.
Spinach also has a dense root system that can compete with okra for water and nutrients, which can negatively impact your okra’s growth.
To ensure your spinach and okra plants thrive, it’s best to keep them apart in your garden.
12. Peas
Peas, like spinach, are cool-season crops that don’t pair well with warm-season okra plants.
Their differing temperature requirements can make it difficult for both plants to flourish when grown together.
Peas also have a shallow root system that can compete with okra roots for water and nutrients.
Additionally, peas can attract pests like pea aphids and pea weevils, which could potentially migrate to your okra plants.
To give both your peas and okra plants the best chance at success, plant them in separate areas of your garden.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right companions for your okra plants can make all the difference in creating a thriving, productive garden.
While it’s essential to know which plants can benefit your okra, it’s equally crucial to recognize which plants to avoid.
By keeping these 12 plants away from your okra, you can help ensure a healthy and bountiful harvest.
So, stay vigilant and keep these garden troublemakers at bay to enjoy your okra to the fullest!