Plant-based drilling fluid composition

A plant-based drilling fluid composition, comprising:

• an aqueous base fluid;
• 10 to 30 wt. % of liquid okra mucilage comprising galactose, rhamnose, galacturonic acid, and amino acids;
• 0.5 to 10 wt. % of clay particles;
• and
• 0.005 to 0.5 wt. % of a base;
• wherein each wt. % is based on a total weight of the drilling fluid composition;
• and
• wherein the liquid okra mucilage is uniformly disposed on surfaces of the clay particles;
• wherein the clay particles disposed with the liquid okra mucilage are present in the drilling fluid composition in the form of a composite;
• and
• wherein a pellet made from the clay particles treated with the liquid okra mucilage has a swelling value at least 75% less than a swelling value of the pellet in an aqueous composition that does not contain the liquid okra mucilage, as determined by a linear swell meter.