What to plant in January in Saudi Arabia
11 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in January in Saudi Arabia, for the climate around Riyadh area, Saudi Arabia (latitude 25°N, longitude 47°E).
Climate: Hot, arid desert climate with mild winters (coldest nights near 2 °C in January), very hot summers (up to 45 °C) and almost no rain from May to November, so irrigation is essential and most rain falls in March and December.
Vegetables
Lettuce Lactuca sativa
Grows quickly in the mild winter and bolts in the heat, so it is best sown from October to February.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Spinach Spinacia oleracea
Thrives in cool winter nights and gives quick leafy harvests before summer heat arrives.
Harvest: 40–50 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Carrot Daucus carota
Sweet, crisp roots develop well in the cool season in sandy, well-drained, regularly watered soil.
Harvest: 70–80 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Radish Raphanus sativus
The quickest crop to grow here, ready in weeks during the mild months and ideal for filling gaps.
Harvest: 25–35 daysEasyIn pots
Beetroot Beta vulgaris
Cool autumn and winter temperatures give tender, sweet roots with little attention.
Harvest: 50–70 daysEasyIn pots
Fruits
Fig Ficus carica
Drought-tolerant once established and needs the winter chill briefly, which the mild winters here supply.
Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasyIn potsCare guide →
Pomegranate Punica granatum
Tolerates heat, drought and the mild winter frosts, and ripens its fruit well in the long dry summer.
Harvest: 3 yearsEasyIn pots
Grapevine Vitis vinifera
Grapes ripen in the dry summer heat, and the cold winters allow the vines to rest properly.
Harvest: 2–3 yearsModerateCare guide →
Herbs
Mint Mentha spicata
Vigorous and fragrant, it grows well in pots with partial shade and regular watering.
Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Parsley Petroselinum crispum
Thrives in the mild winter and grows steadily in containers when kept well watered.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Coriander Coriandrum sativum
Grows quickly in the cool season and should be sown before the heat causes it to bolt.
Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →