La ocra probablemente se originó en el noreste de África y crecía a lo largo de ríos y cuerpos de agua a una altura de 0 a 1,000 m. Sigue siendo ampliamente cultivada en todo el mundo por el contenido nutritivo de sus vainas, hojas y fibra. Prefiere temperaturas cálidas con abundante agua. La recolección regular de las vainas desencadena un crecimiento vegetativo y frutal continuo. La ocra puede cultivarse dondequiera que se siembren tomates, melones y pepinos. En regiones templadas se recomienda el uso de variedades enanas de maduración rápida.

Borneo

Produces extra long edible pods that are best when 25cm long or less, but will grow as long as 45cm. 

Burgundy

Grows 1.5m tall with green leaves and red-burgundy stems, branches, leaf ribs, and pods 15-20cm in length. 55 days to maturity.

Clemson Spineless 80

A prolific producer of spineless green pods which can be harvested continuously for weeks. Plant reaches 1.5 m and pods are best at 5-8 cm. 52 days to maturity.

Prelude

A compact variety with lance-shaped leaves that allow for easier harvest and that allow sunlight to pass through the canopy and reach more of the lower leaves. 55 days to maturity.

Pusa Makmahli

A quick maturing okra from Northern India that produces light green pods. Plants can grow up to 3 m tall.

Gumby

A further selection of the 'Prelude' variety of okra. It matures much earlier and at a shorter height than other varieties of okra.

Burmese

This variety is less mucilaginous, has large 40 cm leaves, and starts to bear fruit when plants are 45 cm tall. The spineless pods are best when harvested 25 cm long or less. 60 days to maturity.

Red Maroon

Produces dark red pods that can reach 20 cm (7.8 in)but are eaten when 12-15 cm (4.7-6 in) long.
 

Star of David

The plant is not covered with hairs. They are much less slimy than other types of okra.
 

Bhutanese

Produces green pods, eaten when 7-10 cm (3-5 in) long. Pods become hairy and spiny when mature, but young pods are edible.
 

Manee Maejo

 This variety has two colors, green and light maroon. The pod of this variety is loger than the Red maroon variety

Bowling Red

Parbhani Kranti

A yellow vein mosaic resistant variety from Parbhani, India. An original cross of Abelmoschus manihot x A. esculentus that was eventually isolated in the F8 generation. Flowers in 45-60 days. Fruit is dark green and smooth.