A cold snap in early spring can kill okra blossoms. Whether adding okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) to your garden for its edible pods or simply its ornamental value, you must protect the delicate plant from cold temperatures. Okra is an annual plant that thrives during the warm spring and summer season and grows 3 to 6 feet tall. Pick pods while they are immature at 2 to 3 inches long. Okra plants will present a prolific harvest through the first frost in the fall.