5 of the best Mediterranean plants for pots

What often strikes me about UK summers is that they can really feel like you’re on holiday when the weather’s hot and the sun is shining. To really nail the holiday-from-home aesthetic, though, it’s worth adding a few of the best Mediterranean plants for pots to your garden.

There’s a broad selection of plants that best create a Mediterranean garden scheme, but some are better suited to container-growing than others. In fact, pots provide even more drainage than garden borders, which is ideal for Mediterranean plants that prefer free-draining soils.

Whether you’re looking for a fruit tree, an evergreen shrub or vibrant flowers, there really is something for everyone – and they’ll all thrive in heatwaves and dry summers. Here’s a roundup of my favourite potted Mediterranean plants for pots.

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Pots for a Mediterranean garden

1. Olive trees

Olive trees are Mediterranean garden staples, and when the sun is shining, the one in my garden makes me feel like I’m on holiday. You’ll often spot olive trees in garden borders, but they’ll also feel right at home in a pot.

‘When choosing Mediterranean plants for pots, it’s usually the classics that work best,” says Jo McGarry, luxury garden design expert at Caragh Nurseries.

‘Olive trees are always a great option because they add so much character and don’t need a huge amount of space. They have that lovely, relaxed look that instantly makes an outdoor area feel more Mediterranean.’

If you’re lucky, the trees will produce olives in hot summers, too. This terracotta olive pot from Crocus is perfect for olive trees.

Where to buy olive trees:

2. Lavender

Lavender is popular for a reason – not only does it produce a soothing fragrance when it’s in flower, but it’s also one of the best drought-tolerant plants you can add to your garden, which means it can cope better in heatwaves and dry weather than other container plants.

‘Lavender is another plant that’s perfectly suited to life in a container,’ says Jo. ‘It loves sunshine, smells amazing and brings lots of colour through the warmer months.’

Where to buy lavender plants:

3. Bay trees

When it comes to the best Mediterranean plants for pots, bay trees are another go-to for me. I grew up with a bay tree in my mum’s garden border, but they’re perfectly suited to container life, too.

‘Bay trees work really well in pots and are one of those plants that look good whatever the season,’ agrees Jo.

To really nail the Mediterranean oasis look, it’s wise to think about the type of pot you choose, too.

‘Plants can be paired with classic terracotta pots for a natural look, or with ceramic and recycled polyrattan options for a more contemporary feel,’ says Rachel Horton, retail lead at Patch Plants.

These classic Italian terracotta pots from Crocus are available in a range of different sizes.

Where to buy bay trees:

4. Rosemary

Rosemary is one of the best drought-tolerant plants that’s safe for dogs, so it’s a win-win for small garden pots. It’s an incredibly climate-resilient herb, and ideal if you enjoy taking fresh harvests into the kitchen.

‘Rosemary is a brilliant option,’ agrees Jo. ‘It’s tough, easy to grow, and its flowers attract bees and other pollinators, adding a bit of extra life to the garden.’

Where to buy rosemary:

5. Citrus trees

You might overlook citrus trees as Mediterranean plants that are suitable for pots here in the UK, but both Jo and Rachel think that they’re ideal for gardens with milder microclimates.

‘For something a little more eye-catching, a citrus tree is hard to beat,’ says Jo. ‘Give it a warm, sheltered spot, and it will reward you with scented flowers, fruit and that unmistakable Mediterranean feel.’

Where to buy citrus trees:

Which Mediterranean plants will you be planting in pots this summer?