Plants

Plant guide

Get to know common plants that suit urban environments inside cities: what they need in water and sun, what salinity and frost they tolerate, and where they are best used.

This information is for guidance and for understanding your options; the plant that best suits your site is settled in the design stage, after studying the site.

Search for a plant by its scientific or Arabic name

Water need

Acacia gerrardii

طلح نجدي

Sustainable plant

Water: Low · about once a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Slow
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Squares, Car parks, Natural areas, Roads

Guide · p. 16

Acacia tortilis raddiana

سمر الرديانا

Sustainable plant

Water: Low · about once a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Slow
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Squares, Car parks, Natural areas, Roads

Guide · p. 17

Acacia farnesiana

سنط الفتنة

Water: Low · about once a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green
Size: Small

Suits: Open green spaces

Guide · p. 16

Acacia salicina

طلح صفصافي

Water: Low · about once a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green
Size: Medium

Suits: Squares, Car parks, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 17

Acacia nilotica

طلح نيلي

Sustainable plant
Frost-sensitive

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Squares, Car parks, Open green spaces, Roads

Guide · p. 17

Acacia ehrenbergiana

السلم

Sustainable plant

Water: Low · about once a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Slow
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green
Size: Medium

Suits: Natural areas

Guide · p. 16

Albizia lebbeck

لبخ

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 18

Ceratonia siliqua

خرنوب

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Medium

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 19

Cordia myxa

المخيط / البنب

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Medium

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 19

Ficus altissima

تين عالي

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Home gardens

Guide · p. 20

Ficus religiosa

لسان العصفور

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 20

Melia azedarach

أزدرخت / زنزلخت

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Small

Suits: Home gardens

Guide · p. 21

Moringa oleifera

شوع / مورينقا

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green
Size: Small

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 21

Olea europaea

زيتون

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Medium

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 22

Parkinsonia aculeata

باركينسونيا

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Squares, Car parks, Open green spaces

Guide · p. 22

Schinus molle

فلفل رفيع الأوراق

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green
Size: Small

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 23

Schinus terebinthifolius

فلفل عريض الأوراق

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Small

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 23

Terminalia catappa

لوز حساوي

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Small

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 23

Terminalia ivorensis

ترميناليا

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Medium

Suits: Squares, Car parks, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 23

Ziziphus spina-christi

سدر بلدي

Sustainable plant

Water: Low · about once a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Squares, Car parks, Open green spaces, Natural areas, Roads

Guide · p. 24

Delonix regia

بونسيانا

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green
Size: Large

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 20

Bougainvillea spectabilis

الجهنمية

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 26

Caesalpinia gilliesii

بونسيانا جيليسي

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 26

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

سيزالبينيا أحمر

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 26

Callistemon viminalis

فرشاة الزجاج

Water: Low · about once a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Slow
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green
Size: Small

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 27

Cestrum nocturnum

ملكة الليل

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Home gardens

Guide · p. 27

Jasminum sambac

الفل

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 30

Jatropha integerrima

الجاتروفا

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 30

Lagerstroemia indica

الجوستروميا انديكا

Sustainable plant
Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 30

Lantana camara

اللانتانا كامارا

Sustainable plant
Frost-sensitive

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 30

Lawsonia inermis

حناء

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 30

Leucophyllum frutescens

ليكوفيليوم

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Silver

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 31

Nerium oleander

الدفلة

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 31

Senna artemisioides

السنا الفضي

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Silver

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 32

Tecoma stans

التيكوما الصفراء

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 33

Tecomaria capensis

التيكوماريا

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 33

Thevetia peruviana

الدفلة الصفراء

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 33

Vitex agnus-castus

كف مريم

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 33

Atriplex halimus

رغل أمريكي

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Silver

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads

Guide · p. 26

Plumeria obtusa

الياسمين الهندي

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 31

Russelia equisetiformis

مرجان

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 32

Antigonon leptopus

انتيجنون - المرجان المتسلق

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 34

Bougainvillea glabra

الجهنمية المتسلقة

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 34

Clerodendrum splendens

طربوش الملك

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 34

Jacquemontia pentantha

الكتلة الزرقاء

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 34

Jasminum officinale

الياسمين البلدي

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 34

Jasminum polyanthum

الياسمين الوردي

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 35

Quisqualis indica

الياسمين الأحمر - الهندي

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 35

Lampranthus aureus

زهرة فيجي

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 38

Gazania leucolaena

الجازانيا الفضي

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Silver

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 37

Osteospermum fruticosum

أقحوان أفريقي

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Roads, Home gardens

Guide · p. 38

Portulaca

زهرة الصباح

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 38

Rosmarinus officinalis

إكليل الجبل

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Moderately tolerant
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 38

Santolina chamaecyparissus

القيصوم الجبلي

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Slow
Flowering: Medium
Foliage: Silver

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 39

Senecio cineraria

السنتوريا الفضية

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Medium
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Silver

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 40

Aptenia cordifolia

زهرة الشمس

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 36

Cymbopogon citratus

حشيشة الليمون

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 41

Pennisetum rubra

الحلفا الأحمر

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Dense
Foliage: Red

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 42

Pennisetum setaceum

الحلفا الأخضر

Water: Medium · 2–3 times a week
Sun: Full sun
Salinity: Tolerant
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green

Suits: Squares, Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 42

Pandanus sanderi

الكادي

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Green

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 41

Crinum asiaticum

زنبق آسيوي

Frost-sensitive

Water: High · at least daily
Sun: Medium shade
Salinity: Sensitive
Growth: Fast
Flowering: Weak
Foliage: Silver

Suits: Open green spaces, Home gardens

Guide · p. 41

Plant photos are from the Riyadh Urban Afforestation Guide.

Reading

How to read a card

Water: Low: about once a week · Medium: 2–3 times a week · High: at least daily.
Sun: Full sun: the plant needs no shading (the guide's “does not need” symbol) · the other grades are medium shade and semi-shade.
Salinity: Tolerant: above 2,000 ppm · Moderate: 1,000–2,000 · Sensitive: below 1,000.
Size: Shown for the species the guide classes as large, medium or small.

Planting rules

General urban planting rules

These rules come from the guide itself and help when choosing where to place a tree and how large it should be.

Tree sizes and spacing

Size	Height	Crown (shade) diameter	Trunk thickness	Spacing between trees
Large	over 10 m	over 10 m	over 0.5 m	10–15 m
Medium	5–10 m	5–10 m	under 0.5 m	8–10 m
Small	under 5 m	under 5 m	under 0.2 m	6–8 m

Minimum distance from the trunk

Roadway: over 2 m
Fences: over 2 m
Footpath: over 0.75 m
Lighting poles: over 6 m

Planting pit size

Large and medium trees: 2 × 2 × 2 m
Small trees: 1.2 × 1.2 × 1.2 m
Shrub: 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 m
Ground covers: 0.3 × 0.3 × 0.3 m

Minimum density: one tree for every 70 m² of courtyard area. (Guide · p. 7–8)

Species the guide excludes (Guide · p. 5)

Palms of all kinds, for the large amounts of water they use and because they give too little shade.
Species invasive to the local environment, such as some mesquite (Prosopis) species.
Species that harm infrastructure through strong roots, such as Conocarpus.
Species affected by climate change.

Sources: plant data and photos from the Riyadh Urban Afforestation Guide (Green Riyadh Programme, Royal Commission for Riyadh City, 2019); the Riyadh Plants Guide (High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, 1435 AH) used for comparison; and general principles from the Guiding Manual for Environmental Afforestation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, 2023). A plant's suitability may differ from city to city with climate, soil and water source.

Contact

Need help choosing plants for your site?

Tell us your location and the type of space, and we will suggest what suits it best.