What to plant in September in Singapore

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

Taro Colocasia esculenta

It thrives in the wet season and likes damp, shaded soil with constant warmth.

Harvest: 180–270 daysModerateIn 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

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

Mango Mangifera indica

It needs the hot, drier spell to flower and fruit, and grafted trees planted after the rains establish well.

Harvest: 3–5 yearsModerateCare guide →

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

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 →

Pandan Pandanus amaryllifolius

This aromatic leaf plant prefers humid, partly shaded conditions and is propagated easily from cuttings.

Harvest: 120–180 daysEasyIn pots

Galangal Alpinia galanga

Rhizomes grow well in warm, wet soil and the plant is widely sold as divided pieces locally.

Harvest: 9–12 monthsModerateIn pots

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