Growing a Destination
In our latest episode with Warner Bros. Discovery, we explore how landscapes are taking shape across The Red Sea and AMAALA destinations through Botanica, the landscape nursery of Red Sea Global (RSG) on the western coast of Saudi Arabia.
Rows of native plants extend across Botanica, the largest landscape nursery in the region.
Rows of native plants extend across Botanica, the largest landscape nursery in the region.
“RSG landscaping isn’t just about aesthetics,” says Dr. Nadia Al Tamimi, Associate Director – Research & Development, Botanica.
“RSG landscaping isn’t just about aesthetics,” says Dr. Nadia Al Tamimi, Associate Director – Research & Development, Botanica.
Landscaping across The Red Sea destination integrates native plants around operational resorts.
Landscaping across The Red Sea destination integrates native plants around operational resorts.
From island resorts to inland valleys, Botanica is cultivating millions of native plants to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and shape destinations rooted in the country’s natural heritage.
Given the scale of The Red Sea and AMAALA destinations, landscaping goes beyond appearance, playing a direct role in restoring habitats and supporting long-term environmental health.
“RSG landscaping isn’t just about aesthetics,” says Dr. Nadia Al Tamimi, Associate Director – Research & Development, Botanica. “It’s more of an ecological and functional system.”
At Botanica, this system begins with propagation. Across more than 1.8 million m2, the nursery cultivates millions of plants adapted to thrive in the region’s coastal and inland conditions. Rows of young trees and shrubs extend across the landscape, while covered shade houses filter sunlight, creating controlled environments for growth and acclimatization.
“When we design landscaping, we think of a 10- to 20-year vision plan,” Nadia explains. Since becoming operational in 2020, Botanica has grown and supplied more than 11 million plants and will ultimately provide 15–18 million plants for The Red Sea and AMAALA. Many of these plants are native species, selected for their ability to coexist with surrounding flora and fauna while strengthening the resilience of the environment.
The nursery operates in multiple growing seasons each year, with plants propagated, matured, and prepared for reintroduction across both destinations. Today, these landscapes are already visible across operational resorts, where planting is establishing a distinct sense of place and continuing to mature over time.
Water efficiency is central to the process. “One of our sustainable innovative practices in Botanica is a smart irrigation system,” says Raghad Ali Alahmadi, Senior Specialist – Sustainability & Innovation, Botanica. “It can sense the water level and the water quality.”
RSG uses constructed wetlands to naturally treat wastewater, where reeds and natural processes help absorb nutrients and impurities without the need for chemicals. Once treated to national standards, this water – known as Treated Sewage Effluent – is used to irrigate landscapes across The Red Sea and AMAALA.
Within the nursery and across resorts, irrigation is carefully tailored to different landscape needs, from turf areas to native planting, ensuring water is delivered efficiently and with precision.
“One of the most efficient ways for turf irrigation is localized irrigation, along with drip irrigation for native species and grasses,” Nadia explains. “This approach allows us to manage water carefully while maintaining healthy landscapes.”
As the landscapes become established, the impact is already visible. Across both destinations, planting is supporting the return of wildlife and helping to create microclimates that improve environmental conditions on the ground.
“You can already see that the landscaping here at RSG is bringing back migratory birds and changing the biodiversity of the environment,” Nadia says.
For the team, this transformation is both scientific and personal. “When I walk in The Red Sea or AMAALA, I feel proud,” Raghad reflects. “Because I am part of this transformative journey.”
Beyond its operational role, Botanica is also designed as a place of learning, offering guests a closer understanding of how native planting and sustainable systems contribute to regeneration. “We are ensuring that all our guests here can enjoy the Saudi nature,” Raghad adds.
For Nadia, this connection shapes how landscapes are experienced. “They subconsciously feel an authenticity to the place, where it connects to the natural heritage of the Red Sea region,” she says.
As the destinations continue to evolve, the landscapes will mature alongside them – supporting environmental restoration, strengthening ecosystems, and becoming living examples of regenerative development in practice.
“As the destination matures, I hope it becomes a self-sustaining system,” Nadia says. “One that supports environmental restoration, creates natural habitats for wildlife, enriches biodiversity, and becomes a living example of the ecological restoration goals we have in the Kingdom.”
RSG uses constructed wetlands to naturally treat wastewater.
RSG uses constructed wetlands to naturally treat wastewater.
Planting is helping to create microclimates that improve environmental conditions on the ground.
Planting is helping to create microclimates that improve environmental conditions on the ground.
Guests are encouraged to understand how native planting and sustainable systems contribute to regeneration.
Guests are encouraged to understand how native planting and sustainable systems contribute to regeneration.
"When I walk in The Red Sea or AMAALA, I feel proud because I am part of this transformative journey."
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