What counts as a Mediterranean native plant?
The phrase has two common meanings. Strictly, a Mediterranean native plant is one that grows naturally around the Mediterranean Basin, in places such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and North Africa. More loosely, gardeners use it for plants from any “Mediterranean climate” region: hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Besides the Basin itself, that climate type occurs in parts of California, central Chile, the Western Cape of South Africa and southwestern Australia.
This matters for a native plant garden. A rosemary bush is native in the Mediterranean Basin, but it is a climate-adapted non-native in, say, Ohio or Cape Town. If your goal is supporting local wildlife, check what is native where you live first. If you do live in the Basin, or you simply want a low-water garden with a Mediterranean feel, the plants below are good starting points. For a southern-hemisphere example of the same climate type with entirely different plants, see our guide to indigenous plants in Cape Town.
Characteristics of Mediterranean vegetation
Plants from these regions share several traits that come from coping with summer drought and, in many places, periodic fire:
- Small, tough, leathery leaves. Often evergreen, these lose less water than large soft leaves.
- Aromatic foliage. Many herbs and shrubs contain oils that give the scent associated with the region.
- Silver or grey leaves. Fine hairs or a waxy coating can reflect light and reduce water loss.
- Deep or wide root systems. These help plants reach moisture during the dry months.
- Seasonal rhythm. Growth and flowering often peak in spring and autumn, with slower growth in summer heat.
Trees
- Olive (Olea europaea). A long-lived evergreen with silvery leaves, well suited to hot, dry sites with good drainage.
- Holm oak (Quercus ilex) and cork oak (Quercus suber). Evergreen oaks that tolerate dry summers and provide shade and habitat.
- Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). Produces small white flowers and red fruit; bees visit the flowers.
- Stone pine (Pinus pinea) and Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis). Characteristic of coastal landscapes, though both need space.
- Carob (Ceratonia siliqua). A drought-tolerant evergreen tree that is best in warm climates.
Aromatic shrubs and herbs
These are the backbone of most Mediterranean-style pollinator plantings.
- Lavender (Lavandula species). Reliably popular with bees. Species and cultivars differ in cold hardiness, so check which suits your zone.
- Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus). Early flowers can be useful when little else is in bloom in mild climates.
- Thyme and oregano (Thymus, Origanum). Low, spreading plants for paths, gravel and rock gardens.
- Rockrose (Cistus species). Short-lived, papery flowers in white and pink, opening in succession through late spring.
- Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa). A grey-leaved shrub with yellow flowers favored by bumblebees.
- Myrtle (Myrtus communis) and bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). Evergreen shrubs and small trees for structure and screening.
- Cotton lavender and curry plant (Santolina, Helichrysum italicum). Silver foliage with yellow flowers, useful for edging.
Perennials, climbers and coastal plants
- Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias). An architectural evergreen perennial with lime-green flower heads. The milky sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when cutting it.
- Bear’s breeches (Acanthus mollis). Bold leaves and tall flower spikes, happier with some shade than most plants here.
- Jasmine (Jasminum officinale). A scented climber for a warm wall.
- Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) and sea lavender (Limonium species). Typical of coastal dunes and salt-exposed ground, and useful examples if you are asking what coastal plants look like in this region.
Designing a pollinator-friendly Mediterranean garden
- Give it sun. Most of these plants want full sun for at least six hours a day.
- Prioritize drainage. Poorly drained, wet winter soil is a bigger risk than drought for many of them. Raised beds, slopes, or gravel-amended soil can help.
- Keep the soil lean. Rich soil and heavy fertilizer tend to produce soft, leggy growth and fewer flowers on aromatic shrubs.
- Stagger bloom times. Combine early rosemary and rockrose with summer lavender, thyme and oregano so pollinators have a longer season of flowers.
- Water deeply but rarely. Water new plants regularly for the first season, then taper off. Overwatering is a frequent cause of failure.
- Prune lightly after flowering. Cutting into old bare wood on lavender and rosemary can prevent regrowth, so trim only the green growth.
- Leave some bare or gravelly ground. Many solitary bees nest in the ground, and open sunny patches help them.
Cautions
Some Mediterranean plants are invasive outside their home range. Brooms (Genista and Cytisus species), for example, have become problems in parts of California and elsewhere. Before planting, check your local invasive species list or ask a native plant society or extension service. In a region with its own native flora, such as the Western Cape, local indigenous species will usually serve wildlife better than imports.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of plants are Mediterranean? Mostly drought-adapted evergreen trees, aromatic shrubs and herbs, plus bulbs and annuals that flower in the cool, wet season.
Are Mediterranean plants the same as drought-tolerant plants? They overlap, but not entirely. Mediterranean plants are adapted to dry summers with wetter winters, and many dislike constantly wet soil in winter.
Can I grow them in a cold climate? Some can, such as certain lavenders, thymes and sages, but hardiness varies a lot. Check the cold hardiness of the specific species or cultivar before buying.