Mediterranean plants for the patio, balcony or conservatory, such as olive tree, lemon tree, orange tree, European fan palm, Chusan palm and Yucca rostrata. They need plenty of sun and a pot that lets excess water drain away freely.
Buying Mediterranean plants, sun, and a southern atmosphere
What belongs in a Mediterranean style
A Mediterranean interior or patio is all about warm, earthy colours: terracotta, sand, off-white and weathered wood. It calls for plants with grey-green or tough leaves that can take the sun. The olive tree is the best known. A lemon tree, a fan palm or a Yucca rostrata with its blue-grey ball of narrow leaves also brings an instant southern feel. Read more about the style itself in Mediterranean interior style.
Which Mediterranean plants are hardy
If you are looking for hardy Mediterranean plants, start with the palms. The Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus), here from 85 to 270 cm, and the European fan palm (Chamaerops), from 90 to 220 cm, can stay outside through a normal Dutch winter. Yucca rostrata and the olive tree can handle light frost, as long as the roots are not wet. In a pot, roots freeze faster than in the ground, so wrap the pot in a hard frost.
Not hardy are the citrus trees, the pygmy date palm, the ponytail palm (Beaucarnea), the tree aloe, the Euphorbia and the Ficus nitida. The Phoenix palms are also better kept frost-free. These plants go indoors in winter or stay in the house all year round.
Which plant suits which spot
South-facing patio: an olive tree, lemon tree or orange tree. They want as much sun as possible.
Beside the front door: a 160 cm standard olive tree or a fan palm on a trunk. A matching pair on either side of the door looks good.
Garden or large patio: a fan palm up to 270 cm, a multi-stem dwarf fan palm or the 270 cm bonsai olive in a ø80 cm pot.
Bright living room or conservatory: ponytail palm, tree aloe, pygmy date palm or Ficus nitida with a braided trunk, close to a window.
Pots and care
A Mediterranean plant looks best in terracotta, coarse clay or a pot with a weathered stone finish. Choose a pot with a hole in the base, because wet feet are the biggest risk for olive, yucca and palm. Your plant comes in a nursery pot, and you choose the decorative pot separately. Water when the top layer of soil is dry. Yucca rostrata and tree aloe need very little water, while citrus wants regular water in summer. For pruning and winter care of the olive, see the olive tree care guide.
Delivery
In the Netherlands your plant arrives within 4 to 5 working days. Most plants come upright in a sturdy plant box; large olive trees are delivered on a pallet. Delivery in the Netherlands is free from €75. If anything is damaged in transit, send us a photo and we will send a new plant free of charge. We measure height from the bottom of the pot to the tallest leaf.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mediterranean plants are hardy?
The Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and the European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) can stay outside through a normal Dutch winter. Yucca rostrata and the olive tree tolerate light frost if the soil is not wet. Citrus, pygmy date palm and ponytail palm are not hardy and go indoors in winter.
Which Mediterranean plants can you keep indoors?
The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea), tree aloe, pygmy date palm and Ficus nitida do well indoors in a bright spot close to the window. An olive or lemon tree usually finds a warm living room too dark. They are better off in a bright, cool conservatory.
How do you protect Mediterranean potted plants in winter?
Move the pot against a sheltered wall and, in a hard frost, wrap it in hessian or bubble wrap so the roots do not freeze. Make sure excess water can drain through a hole in the base. In frost you can cover the crown of an olive tree with breathable garden fleece.
Which pot suits Mediterranean plants?
Terracotta, coarse clay and pots with a weathered stone finish suit this style best. Always choose a pot with a hole in the base and, for outdoors, a frost-resistant pot. The plant comes in a nursery pot, and you choose the decorative pot separately.
How much sun do Mediterranean plants need?
As much as possible. Olive, citrus and Yucca rostrata want a spot in full sun, ideally facing south or west. Palms such as the Trachycarpus can also stand in partial shade. With too little light, most Mediterranean plants grow weak and lose leaves.
How is a large olive tree delivered?
We deliver large olive trees on a pallet. Smaller olive trees and the other plants come upright in a sturdy plant box. In the Netherlands your tree arrives within 4 to 5 working days, and delivery in the Netherlands is free from €75.
Which plants work in a Mediterranean interior?
Choose plants that grow naturally in southern Europe. Olive trees, citrus trees, the Chamaerops palm, Trachycarpus, Yucca rostrata and cacti are classics. They love sun, tolerate drought and match the warm earth tones of the style in colour and silhouette.
Are Mediterranean plants hardy?
It depends on the species. The olive tree and the Trachycarpus are fairly hardy and can overwinter outside with protection. Citrus and oleander are more sensitive to frost and are better moved indoors or into a conservatory when it freezes.
Which pots suit a Mediterranean interior?
Terracotta is the natural choice. Unglazed earthenware, limestone-coloured ceramic and rough natural materials also work well. Keep the pots matt and in warm earth tones, so the grey-green of the plant stands out.
Can an olive tree stand indoors?
Yes, an olive tree can do well indoors in a very bright, sunny spot. Give it as much direct light as possible and water sparingly. In winter it prefers a cooler position, so an unheated conservatory or veranda is ideal.
