What to plant in October in Malaysia

14 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in October in Malaysia, for the climate around Central Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang-Selangor border.

Climate: Equatorial lowland climate with no frost, warm nights of 17 to 21 °C, days up to 34 °C, and rain in every month, peaking from September to December with the northeast monsoon.

Vegetables

  • Water spinach Ipomoea aquatica

    A staple leafy green that grows fast in wet, hot conditions year-round.

    Harvest: 30–45 daysEasyIn pots

  • Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas

    Grows from cuttings in heat and humidity and needs little attention.

    Harvest: 90–120 daysEasy

  • Taro Colocasia esculenta

    Thrives in the constant warmth and wet soil of this climate.

    Harvest: 7–9 monthsEasyIn pots

  • Welsh onion Allium fistulosum

    Hardy, cut-and-come-again onion that copes well with heat and rain.

    Harvest: 60–80 daysEasyIn pots

Fruits

  • Banana Musa acuminata

    Native to the region, it needs heat, humidity and rain, all of which are present here.

    Harvest: 9–12 monthsEasyCare guide →

  • Lime Citrus aurantiifolia

    Bears fruit year-round in warm lowland conditions and suits a large pot.

    Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasyIn pots

  • Pineapple Ananas comosus

    A tropical plant that grows well in sun and warmth and tolerates some drought.

    Harvest: 18–24 monthsEasyIn pots

  • Passion fruit Passiflora edulis

    A vigorous climber that fruits well in warm, humid lowland weather with a trellis.

    Harvest: 12–18 monthsModerateIn potsCare guide →

  • Guava Psidium guajava

    Hardy, fast-growing tree that bears fruit under tropical heat and rain.

    Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasyIn pots

Herbs

  • Sweet basil Ocimum basilicum

    Grows fast in the heat and sun and can be picked continuously.

    Harvest: 30–40 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus

    A tough clumping grass that loves tropical heat and rain.

    Harvest: 3–4 monthsEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Pandan Pandanus amaryllifolius

    Fragrant leaves are a staple in local cooking and it grows easily in humid shade.

    Harvest: 3–4 monthsEasyIn pots

  • Coriander Coriandrum sativum

    Grows best in the cooler, drier spells and needs shade from midday heat.

    Harvest: 40–50 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →

  • Galangal Alpinia galanga

    A native rhizome spice that thrives in warm, wet, partly shaded soil.

    Harvest: 9–12 monthsEasyIn pots