What to plant in February in United Arab Emirates

19 vegetables, fruits and herbs to sow or plant in February in United Arab Emirates, for the climate around Dubai and the central UAE coast (about 25°N, 55°E).

Climate: Hot desert climate with mild winters (coldest nights about 12–17°C), scorching summers (up to 47°C, nights above 25°C from May to October), and very little rain, mostly in March and December.

Vegetables

  • Cucumber Cucumis sativus

    Fast-growing and productive in the warm autumn and winter, with irrigation covering the dry air.

    Harvest: 50–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Zucchini Cucurbita pepo

    Vigorous and prolific in the mild season, yielding well with regular watering and compost.

    Harvest: 45–55 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Okra Abelmoschus esculentus

    Tolerates the rising heat of late spring and produces pods through the summer.

    Harvest: 55–65 daysEasyIn pots

  • Lettuce Lactuca sativa

    Sown in cool weather, it grows quickly and needs shade and steady water to avoid bolting.

    Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Spinach Spinacia oleracea

    A cool-season leafy crop that suits the mild winter nights and fills a shaded bed quickly.

    Harvest: 40–50 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Carrot Daucus carota

    Winter sowing in loose, sandy-loam bed or deep pot gives sweet roots during the mild season.

    Harvest: 70–80 daysModerateIn potsCare guide →

  • Radish Raphanus sativus

    Very quick from seed, it gives crisp roots before the heat arrives.

    Harvest: 25–35 daysEasyIn pots

  • Cowpea Vigna unguiculata

    A heat-tolerant legume that fixes nitrogen and gives pods in the hot season.

    Harvest: 60–75 daysEasyIn pots

Fruits

  • Date palm Phoenix dactylifera

    Native to this heat and dry climate, it needs full sun and deep watering, and fruits in summer.

    Harvest: 4–6 yearsModerate

  • Common fig Ficus carica

    Drought-tolerant and winter-hardy enough for these cool nights, and it fruits well in the summer heat.

    Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Pomegranate Punica granatum

    Tolerates heat and drought and needs only mild winter chill, producing bright fruit in late summer.

    Harvest: 2–3 yearsEasyIn pots

  • Watermelon Citrullus lanatus

    Loves the heat and sun, and it ripens fully in the warm spring and early summer.

    Harvest: 80–100 daysEasy

  • Muskmelon Cucumis melo

    Sweet melons ripen in the heat of spring when grown with drip irrigation.

    Harvest: 80–100 daysModerate

  • Grapevine Vitis vinifera

    Mediterranean-type grape that needs a mild winter and tolerates heat, with irrigation and shade for ripening.

    Harvest: 2–3 yearsModerateIn potsCare guide →

Herbs

  • Parsley Petroselinum crispum

    A cool-season herb that grows well in pots and needs regular watering.

    Harvest: 60–75 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Basil Ocimum basilicum

    Grows fast in warm spring and autumn, and partial shade protects it from peak summer sun.

    Harvest: 30–40 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Spearmint Mentha spicata

    Vigorous and cheap to propagate, it does well in pots kept shaded and watered.

    Harvest: 60–70 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Coriander Coriandrum sativum

    A cool-season herb that bolts quickly in heat, so it is best sown in the mild months.

    Harvest: 45–60 daysEasyIn potsCare guide →

  • Dill Anethum graveolens

    Fast-growing in mild weather, providing fresh fronds for the kitchen through winter.

    Harvest: 40–60 daysEasyIn pots