An experiment aiming to find the appropriate harvast stage of okra seeds (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) was carried out at the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, km 47, and Instituto de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Centro Sul (IPACS - EMBRAPA). It was conducted with the cultivar "Chifre de veado", Piranema selection. Physical, vigor and viability tests were conducted to evaluate the quality of the seeds harvested at 10 days intervals, starting from 28 days before until 68 days after anthesis. Seeds harvested 38, 48 and 58 days after anthesis were bigger and heavier and achieved higher germination percentage and speed og germination, when tested in laboratory and greenhouse. Hard seeds percentage increased when seeds remained as longer on the plants.