Native plants of the Mediterranean
These 69 plants belong to the Mediterranean. They were here before the gardens were: they know the weather, live on the rain that falls, and feed the insects and birds that grew up alongside them. Plant a few and your yard starts to fit its place.
Signature plant: Stone pine, native here and in no other world region on this list.
Fruit trees (7)
- Carob · zones 9–11
- Cornelian cherry · zones 4–8
- Fig · zones 7–11
- Medlar · zones 5–8
- Olive · zones 8–10
- Service tree · zones 5–8
- Sweet cherry · zones 5–8
Berries and small fruit (6)
- Dog rose · zones 4–8
- European elder · zones 4–8
- Myrtle · zones 8–11
- Sloe (blackthorn) · zones 4–8
- Strawberry tree · zones 7–10
- Woodland strawberry · zones 3–8
Nut trees (2)
- Hazelnut · zones 4–8
- Stone pine · zones 8–10
Vines (2)
- Table grape · zones 7–10
- Wine grape · zones 6–9
Perennial vegetables, greens and herbs (16)
- Artichoke · zones 7–10
- Asparagus · zones 3–8
- Bay laurel · zones 8–11
- Caper · zones 8–11
- Cretan dittany (diktamo) · zones 7–10
- Culinary sage · zones 5–9
- Lemon balm · zones 4–9
- Licorice · zones 6–9
- Marshmallow · zones 3–9
- Mediterranean saltbush · zones 8–11
- Oregano · zones 4–9
- Rock samphire · zones 7–11
- Rosemary · zones 7–10
- Sumac (Sicilian or tanner's sumac) · zones 8–10
- Thyme · zones 5–9
- Tiger nut (chufa) · zones 5–11
Annual vegetables, herbs and grains (25)
- Ajwain (carom) · zones 5–11
- Arugula · zones 2–11
- Barley · zones 2–9
- Beet · zones 2–11
- Bread wheat · zones 2–9
- Cabbage · zones 2–11
- Calendula · zones 2–11
- Carrot · zones 2–11
- Celeriac · zones 3–9
- Chickpea (chana) · zones 4–11
- Cilantro · zones 2–11
- Cumin · zones 5–11
- Einkorn · zones 3–9
- Emmer wheat · zones 3–9
- Fenugreek (methi) · zones 4–11
- Flax (linseed) · zones 3–10
- German chamomile · zones 2–9
- Kale · zones 2–11
- Leek · zones 2–11
- Lentil · zones 4–10
- Lettuce · zones 2–11
- Parsley · zones 2–11
- Parsnip · zones 2–9
- Salsify · zones 4–9
- Summer savory (kondari) · zones 2–11
Native and wild plants (4)
- Common hawthorn · zones 4–8
- Holm oak (bellota oak) · zones 7–10
- Mastic (lentisk) · zones 9–11
- Mediterranean hackberry (nettle tree) · zones 6–10
Helper plants for soil, wildlife and biomass (7)
- Borage · zones 3–10
- Crimson clover · zones 6–10
- Daffodil · zones 3–9
- Hairy vetch · zones 4–9
- Lavender · zones 5–9
- Sweet alyssum · zones 2–11
- White clover · zones 3–10
Open the natives of Mediterranean in the planner
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All regions · Plants by hardiness zone
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home