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Capture the Mediterranean Vibe With These Fresh Homegrown Herbs
There’s something so serene about the Mediterranean lifestyle and scenery, and their beautiful plants and delicious herbs play a big role. Not only are they lovely to look at, but they have profound health benefits. There are five regions across the Meditteranean that all boast the highest numbers of centenarians per capita—that means people who live past 100! Take a page from their playbook by adding these plants to your landscape—and reap the incredible benefits of Mediterranean living, right here in California!
Mediterranean Herbs To Grow At Home
There are so many delicious, fragrant herbs you can easily grow in containers on the porch, or even on your windowsill inside. Not only do they add incredible flavor and aroma to your cooking, but they’re packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties that help boost immunity. Add these herb plants to your garden to give your cooking that Mediterranean zest:
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis):
This robust, evergreen herb is a staple in Mediterranean gardens. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, producing aromatic leaves perfect for seasoning meats and vegetables.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris):
A low-growing herb with small, fragrant leaves, thyme is ideal for ground cover or planting between stepping stones. It’s essential in many Mediterranean dishes and thrives in well-drained soil.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare):
Known for its bold flavor, oregano is a must-have in any Mediterranean herb garden. It prefers full sun and can handle poor, rocky soils, making it perfect for Bay Area gardens.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.):
While primarily grown for its fragrant flowers, lavender also has culinary uses, especially in desserts and teas. It’s a beautiful addition to any herb garden, adding color and attracting pollinators.
Sage (Salvia officinalis):
Sage is a hardy, drought-tolerant herb with soft, gray-green leaves. It’s commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in stuffing and meat dishes.
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis):
Bay laurel is a small tree or large shrub with glossy leaves that are essential in soups, stews, and marinades. It’s a slow-growing plant but can be pruned to maintain a manageable size.
Mint (Mentha spp.):
Mint is a vigorous herb with a refreshing flavor, available in many varieties such as peppermint and spearmint. It’s commonly used in teas, desserts, and as a garnish. Mint thrives in partial to full sun and moist, well-drained soil, but it’s best grown in containers to prevent it from spreading aggressively.
Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus):
Saffron crocus is a unique addition to any Mediterranean herb garden, valued for the bright red stigmas used to produce the world’s most expensive spice, saffron. The flowers bloom in late fall, and the corms prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them well-suited for Bay Area gardens.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum):
Parsley is a versatile herb commonly used as a garnish or in a variety of Mediterranean dishes. Whether you choose the curly or flat-leaf (Italian) variety, parsley offers a fresh, slightly peppery flavor. It prefers partial to full sun and moist, well-drained soil, making it a staple in both herb gardens and containers.
Dill (Anethum graveolens):
Dill is an annual herb known for its feathery leaves and aromatic seeds. It’s commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly for pickling and in fish dishes. Dill prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it a perfect herb for Bay Area gardens, especially in the cooler months.
With just a drizzle of olive oil, a handful of fresh chopped herbs, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice, you’ve got a perfect marinade for your favorite garden veggies and grilling meats. Try them alone or mix them together to create complex, flavorful dishes.
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes eating lots of fresh vegetables, while keeping dairy and grilled meats to a minimum. Plant delicious edibles like tomatoes, eggplants, beans, peppers, and lemon trees so you can source as much of your produce from the garden as possible!
Mediterranean Garden Plants To Set The Vibe
The yearning for a vacation in Sicily is made all the more tolerable if you bring the scenery to your own backyard! These Mediterranean plants are absolutely gorgeous, and they’re water-wise too. That means less time in the garden soaking them with the hose, and less money spent on utilities! Plus, more time to kick back, relax, and breathe in that coastal air. Spending time outdoors and walking around in nature is a key part of the Mediterannean lifestyle, and sprucing up your garden with new plants is a perfect opportunity to do just that!
Orchid Rockrose
This hardy flowering shrub is one of the most beautiful rockroses around. Native to the Meditteranean, this orchid rockrose plant can reach up to 5 feet tall, 8 feet wide. It boasts beautiful pink blooms with a crimson star and golden center.
Mediterranean Spurge
We’ve never seen anything quite like this show- stopping Meditteranean shrub. Its teal blue foliage is beautiful on its own, but when the electric lemon-lime puffballs of flower bracts appear in spring and summer, the visual impact is incomparable.
Moonshine Yarrow
Yarrow is also known as “Achillea,” and was named after the Greek God Achilles! Legend has it, he used the herb to heal the wounds and stop the bleeding of soldiers in battle. We adore its sunny golden blooms, and so do the local butterflies!
Ground Morning Glory
For a water-wise alternative to grass, why not plant a beautiful Mediterranean plant like the ground morning glory? It grows low to the ground, spreads quickly, and grows well in rocky soils. It also makes a lovely filler plant for gaps in the garden, helping to prevent weeds and keep the soil cool.
It Wouldn’t Be Mediterranean Without Some Olives!
Olives are one of the great treasures of the Mediterranean, and you can easily grow them here in California! We have several different varieties of olive tree that you can plant at home. Remember to water them very generously after planting! That way, the roots will spread out nicely, and they’re less likely to get shocked from the warm soil all heated up from the summer sun.
If you don’t have room for a full-sized tree, you can still have olives! Our dwarf olive “Little Ollie” shrub grows to around 6 feet tall and wide, but can be pruned to stay smaller. It has a cute, green, round shape (kind of like a giant olive!) and looks fabulous in border plantings.
Want to see more amazing Mediterranean plants for sale? We’ve got everything you need to capture the essence of Mediterranean living in your garden and landscape design. Visit us soon to see what’s ready to plant!
