What to plant in January in Singapore
20 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in January in Singapore, for the climate around Equatorial Johor and Singapore area, Malaysia and Singapore border.
Climate: Hot and humid all year, with nights never below about 23 °C, daytime highs near 34 °C, no frost, and wet spells from April to June and again from September to December, with a drier stretch in January to March and August.
Vegetables
Eggplant Solanum melongena
Warm nights and full sun suit it year-round, and seedlings are easy to buy locally.
Harvest: 70–90 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Chili pepper Capsicum annuum
It thrives in constant heat and needs no cold period, and it fruits repeatedly in a sunny spot.
Harvest: 70–90 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Okra Abelmoschus esculentus
It loves the heat and humidity and produces pods quickly from seed sown in the dry months or after the rains.
Harvest: 50–65 daysEasyIn pots
Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas
Its vines spread in warm, wet weather and it tolerates the rains better than most root crops.
Harvest: 90–150 daysEasyIn pots
Bitter gourd Momordica charantia
It is a warm-climate vine that fruits well in the humidity and can climb a trellis on a balcony.
Harvest: 60–80 daysEasyIn pots
Sponge gourd Luffa aegyptiaca
Its vigorous tropical vines need only heat and rain, and young fruits are harvested within two months.
Harvest: 60–75 daysEasy
Edible amaranth Amaranthus tricolor
Leafy greens grow fast in constant heat and can be cut repeatedly from one sowing.
Harvest: 25–40 daysEasyIn pots
Cucumber Cucumis sativus
It does best in the drier months of January to March and August and in the cooler, lighter stretch after the rains, when the plants are less stressed by mildew.
Harvest: 50–65 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →
Pumpkin Cucurbita moschata
Its long vines spread well in the warm, drier months and the fruits store well afterwards.
Harvest: 90–110 daysEasy
Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata
This heat-loving legume fixes its own nitrogen and grows well on a simple trellis in any season.
Harvest: 55–70 daysEasyIn pots
Chinese cabbage Brassica rapa
Quick-growing choy sum and pak choi types are best sown in the drier months, when pests and rain damage are lower.
Harvest: 35–50 daysModerateIn pots
Fruits
Banana Musa acuminata
It needs only heat and rain, and suckers from local nurseries fruit reliably in this climate.
Harvest: 9–15 monthsEasyCare guide →
Papaya Carica papaya
Its fast-fruiting trees thrive in constant heat, and it needs only good drainage and no winter chill.
Harvest: 8–12 monthsEasyIn potsCare guide →
Pineapple Ananas comosus
Its tough leaves tolerate heat and humidity, and crowns from market fruit root easily in well-drained soil.
Harvest: 18–24 monthsModerateIn pots
Guava Psidium guajava
It is a hardy tropical tree that fruits well in heat and rain and can be pruned to stay small.
Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasyIn pots
Lime Citrus aurantiifolia
Grafted seedlings from local nurseries fruit year-round in this warm, frost-free climate.
Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasyIn pots
Dragon fruit Selenicereus undatus
This climbing cactus tolerates heat and rain and can be grown on a post or balcony rail.
Harvest: 12–18 monthsEasyIn pots
Herbs
Holy basil Ocimum tenuiflorum
It thrives in heat and humidity and is a staple of local cooking and easy to buy as seedlings.
Harvest: 40–60 daysEasyIn pots
Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
Clumps grow vigorously in constant warmth and rain, and divisions from neighbours establish quickly.
Harvest: 90–120 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →
Pegaga Centella asiatica
It spreads quickly in damp, partly shaded soil and tolerates the heavy rains better than most herbs.
Harvest: 60–90 daysEasyIn pots