We could all use a vacation these days, but if a round trip flight to Santorini or Sicily isn’t in the budget, you can just turn your garden into your own personal paradise! Mediterranean garden plants and decor are so classically beautiful and serene. Relaxation will wash over you like the waves of the Mediterranean sea!
Add These Plants to Your Mediterranean Garden
The key to nailing the Mediterranean garden look is adding plants that capture the spirit of the Greek Islands. Luckily, many of our favorite Mediterranean plants thrive here on the California coast, so it’s easy to emulate that aesthetic in your gardens at home!
Succulents
The absolute essential plants for any Mediterranean garden are succulents, no question! Choose a variety of succulents with distinctive shapes and colors to add structure and visual interest to your landscape. Here are our favorite varieties to give your garden a gloriously Greek makeover:
- Echeveria
- Agave
- Aloe
- Euphorbia
- Graptoveria
- Sedum
- Aeonium
- Portulacaria
- Crassula
- Sempervivum
Try arranging your garden so your tall succulents, like Euphorbia tirucalli, are bordering the back so they don’t block the view of your shorter plants. Agave plants are lovely for edging along paths. Creeping, low-growing succulents like sedum are excellent for rock gardens.
Fig Trees
The emerald green, lobed leaves of the fig tree are a gorgeous sight to behold, but those luscious, juicy fruits are what make this Mediterranean tree truly magnificent! Plant your tree while it’s in its dormant state, preferably in late fall or early spring. Some varieties produce two full crops of figs per year, so you can enjoy double the delicious fruits! Pro tip: puree figs to make a fantastic substitute for tomato sauce on Mediterranean flatbread pizzas.
Olive Trees
Speaking of pizza, you’re going to want some good toppings, so it’s worth planting some olive trees too! In California, olive trees do best in hot and dry areas with sandy soil and good moisture drainage. They’re evergreens, so you can bask in the beauty of their beautiful silvery-green foliage all year round. For snacking, harvest the olives while they’re still green. If you want them for oil, wait until the skin has turned black, but the flesh inside is still yellow or green.
Mediterranean Herb Garden Plants
Fill some ornamental planters with culinary herbs—they’re beautiful, they smell great, and you’ll never run out of uses for them. Some of our favorite varieties include:
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Basil
- Chives
- Thyme
- Mint
- Tarragon
- Sage
Herbs are some of the easiest edible plants to grow, so they’re an excellent option for beginner gardeners!
Garden Decor to Complete Your Mediterranean Landscape
Accessorizing your garden will help pull together the paradise look. You just have to stick to the right materials and color palettes.
For planters and pots, stick to terracotta or white-painted stone, and add in some turquoise blue accents here and there.
Fountains and columnar bird baths can add a little luxury, and the sound of running water will create a calm, relaxing atmosphere. If you really want to go all out, add some garden sculptures reminiscent of ancient Greek art!
We have a massive selection of beautiful Mediterranean-style succulents for sale, so visit our California greenhouse soon to see all the gorgeous varieties available now. Our experts will gladly provide you with basic care instructions to keep your new plants happy!
