Mediterranean Garden Design in Malta: Plants and Landscaping Tips for International Hobby Gardeners

Why Malta Will Test Your Green Thumb

I thought I knew a thing or two about gardening. Three years in Germany, two in Italy—mediterranean plants were supposed to be my thing. Then I came to Malta. Six months later, my first garden looked like a moonscape. Welcome to the reality of Malta’s climate!

Malta isn’t just “mediterranean.” That would be too easy. The island sits on the 35th parallel, gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year, and summer temperatures regularly hit the 40°C (104°F) mark. The term semi-arid climate (semi-dry, with very low rainfall) sums it up best.

The Maltese Soil Drama: Chalk, Clay and Stones

The soil in Malta is made up mainly of Terra Rossa (red clay) on a bed of limestone. What does that mean for you? Three things: first, an extremely alkaline pH (often above 8), second, catastrophic drainage when it rains, and third, stones—stones everywhere.

My very first shovel hit limestone plates just ten centimeters down. The previous owner had simply covered the garden with a thin layer of earth. Under that: solid rock. No wonder the usual Mediterranean plants give up here.

Water: The Precious Drop

Malta has no natural sources of fresh water. All drinking water is either produced by reverse osmosis (desalination from seawater) or pumped up from underground. Tap water costs about €1.60 per cubic meter—sounds cheap, but if your garden is 20 square meters and you have to water daily, you’ll quickly rack up €200 a month.

And: From June to September, there’s basically no rain. Zero. Nada. I once watered every day for three months—and even so, I watched my lavender die. A Maltese summer means survival mode for every plant.

What does this mean for you? Forget everything you think you know about Mediterranean garden design. Malta is a league of its own. But don’t worry—with the right plants and techniques, you can still create your little green paradise.

Mediterranean Plants Malta: The Survival Artists for Your Garden

After three years of trial and error, I’ve pulled together a list of plants that don’t just survive Maltese conditions—they actually thrive. Here are my tried-and-tested survival champions.

Succulents and Cacti: The Indestructible Heroes

Agaves are absolute winners in Malta. I’ve tried five varieties—all of them flourish. Agave americana can get truly massive, so plan for enough space. For smaller gardens, I recommend Agave attenuata (foxtail agave).

• Aloe Vera: Needs barely any water, easily handles 45°C (113°F)
• Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear): Grows wild in Malta, edible fruits
• Sedum species: Perfect for rock gardens, blooms in various colors
• Echeveria: Lovely rosettes, ideal for pots

Mediterranean Herbs: Flavor and Fragrance

Herbs are basically unkillable in Malta. My rosemary has grown into a 1.5 meter (5 ft) tall bush and hasnt needed any extra watering for two years. Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) truly loves the Maltese dryness.

Trees and Shrubs: Shade with Character

Olive trees are the obvious choice, but fair warning: they take years to offer any shade. For quicker results, I use Schinus molle (Peruvian pepper tree). It grows fast and thrives in extreme heat.

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is virtually indestructible, but beware: it’s highly toxic to children and pets. My neighbor has had three oleander bushes for ten years—theyre never watered, and yet they constantly put out pink blooms.

What does this mean for you? Invest in plants that truly love drought, not just tolerate it. Your future water bill—and your nerves—will thank you.

Mediterranean Garden Design: Layout and Style for Malta

Mediterranean landscaping in Malta follows different rules than on mainland Europe. It’s not about lushness here, but about smart heat and water management.

Zoning: Creating Microclimates in Your Garden

Malta has a constant wind, mostly from the northwest. It’s both a curse and a blessing: curse, because it dries out your plants; blessing, because it cools them down. I divide my garden into three zones:

1. Wind-sheltered zone: For more sensitive plants, protected behind a stone wall
2. Partial shade zone: Under olive trees or next to the house
3. Full sun zone: For succulents and heat-lovers

The trick lies in creating microclimates. A strategically placed large stone absorbs heat by day and releases it at night—Mediterranean plants love that.

Rock Gardens: A Maltese Speciality

You’ll be digging up stones anyway—might as well put them to use. Xerophytic gardening (drought-adapted gardening) isn’t a trend in Malta—it’s a necessity.

My rock garden has three levels: big limestone blocks for structure, medium stones as highlights, and pea gravel for ground cover. Among the stones, I grow succulents and wild Maltese plants like Capparis spinosa (caper bush).

Water Management: Every Drop Counts

Forget romantic fountains. In Malta you treasure every drop of rainwater. I installed a 500-liter tank connected to the gutters, and between October and March, I collect about 800 liters—enough for the early summer months.

• Mulching: Use pale pebbles instead of bark mulch; they reflect heat and hold moisture
• Drip irrigation: Costs around €200
• Greywater system: Re-use shower water on tough plants

What does this mean for you? Plan your garden as a water management system. Every design choice should answer the question: how does this save water?

Malta Garden Plants: My Top Recommendations After 3 Years

This list is based on three years of reality checks in my 30-square-meter (≈ 323 sq ft) garden in Sliema. Every plant has survived at least two Maltese summers—without any “AC for plants.”

Category 1: The Indestructibles (Watering 0–1x per week)

Prickly Pear (Opuntia): Basically grows wild everywhere in Malta. I have three types in my garden: Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia robusta, and Opuntia microdasys. The fruits are edible, and the flowers are spectacular yellow.

Bougainvillea: Mine now covers the entire terrace wall. Needs hardly any water after the first year. Warning: the thorns are brutal—I now wear gloves just to walk past it.

Category 2: The Gratefuls (Watering 2–3x per week)

Pelargoniums (often wrongly called “geraniums”): I had to change my mindset here. Classic window-box geraniums from Germany will die instantly in Malta. But Pelargonium graveolens (rose-scented pelargonium) and wild Maltese species survive effortlessly.

Lantana camara: Practically a weed in Malta—and for good reason. Blooms yellow, orange, red, or pink, depending on the variety. Mine has been flowering non-stop for two years.

Category 3: The Surprises

Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias): Looks like a weed but is an actual design shrub. Forms neat blue-green balls and almost never needs water. Caution: the sap is highly poisonous.

Wild Maltese capers (Capparis spinosa): Grow in rock crevices and produce the capers you know from the kitchen. Incredibly tough, with beautiful white flowers.

What does this mean for you? Fill 70% of your garden with indestructibles. Save the other 30% for ambitious experiments—if they fail, the risk is minimal.

Practical Tips: How to Get Your Malta Garden Through the Summer

The Maltese summer is a stress test for any garden. From June to September, conditions are like a mini Sahara. Here are my proven survival strategies.

The Golden Rule: Water at the Right Time

I water between 5:00 and 6:30 a.m. Period. Watering at 40°C (104°F) midday is like burning money—the water evaporates instantly. Watering in the evening attracts snails, which are definitely a thing in Malta.

My watering plan for July/August:

• Succulents: Deep watering every 7–10 days
• Herbs: Every 3–4 days, but only the root zone
• New plantings: Daily until they’re established (4–6 weeks)
• Trees: Once a week, but very thoroughly (better less often, more deep)

Maltese Mulching: Stones Instead of Bark

Organic mulches like bark chips are a problem in Malta. They degrade too fast, attract pests, and make the soil even more acidic. I use bright pebbles or crushed limestone instead.

Perks:

1. Reflects sunlight and keeps the soil cooler
2. Prevents evaporation better than organic materials
3. Looks Mediterranean and fits with Maltese stonework
4. Never needs to be replaced

Creating Shade: Creative Solutions

Trees take years, but your plants need shade now. I’ve used shade cloth (sun protection netting)—50% shading is enough for most plants.

My DIY solution: bamboo poles and white shade cloth from Pavi Shopping Complex (around €3 per square meter). The makeshift tent over my herb bed has cut water usage dramatically.

Emergency Strategies for Heatwaves

When the thermometer goes above 42°C (108°F), I activate emergency mode:

• Move all pots into the shade or indoors
• Extra watering in the afternoon (only for sensitive plants)
• Temporary shading with old sheets
• For especially valuable plants: put bowls of water around for humidity

What does this mean for you? Maltese summer can be managed. With the right techniques, you’ll lose fewer plants.

Landscaping Malta: Costs, Providers and DIY Options

Professional landscaping in Malta is a different financial ballgame compared to Germany. Here’s a realistic look at your budget.

Costs for Professional Landscaping in Malta

I requested five quotes for my 30-square-meter garden. The range was wild: from €2,500 to €8,500. The main difference was plant selection and irrigation systems.

Recommended Providers in Malta

Gardens of Malta (Attard): Specializes in native plants, fair prices. My neighbor had their entire garden done here—two years later, it’s still perfect.

Mediterranean Garden Design (Balzan): More expensive but real experts for drought-resistant designs. Also offer consultations for €50 an hour.

Green Fingers Malta (Qormi): Good value for money. Lots of experience with expat gardens.

DIY Option: How I Made My €1,200 Garden

I designed and built my garden entirely myself. Total cost after three years: €1,200. Here’s the breakdown:

• Plants: €400 (spread over two years)
• Stones and gravel: €300 from Gatt Stone in Qormi
• Irrigation system: €250 from Agrimart
• Tools and accessories: €150
• Soil and compost: €100

Where to Buy Plants in Malta?

Plant nurseries I recommend:

1. Ta Qali Nursery: Biggest selection, prices from €5 per plant
2. Buskett Gardens Center: Specializes in Mediterranean species
3. Greenhouse Malta (Mosta): A bit pricier, but super healthy plants
4. San Anton Gardens Shop: Small selection, but rare native species

Insider tip: In October and November, many nurseries offer surplus at 50% off. Perfect for bargain hunters.

Long-term Costs: What Comes after Set-up?

My garden now costs about €30 a month in maintenance:

• Water: €15–25 (seasonal)
• Fertilizer and plant protection: €5–8
• Replacement plants: €5–10

What does this mean for you? DIY is totally doable in Malta and saves you lots of money. But count on at least a year to get everything established—nothing grows overnight here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which plants survive the Maltese summer without extra watering?

Agaves, opuntias (prickly pears), aloe species, established olive trees, and native Maltese plants like capers (Capparis spinosa) need no additional watering. They’ve evolved over thousands of years for the dry Mediterranean climate.

How much does garden water cost per month in Malta?

For a 20–30 m² garden, expect to pay €15–40 a month, depending on your plants and the season. In peak summer (July/August), it can be up to €60 if you have lots of thirsty plants. Collecting rainwater can help reduce these costs.

When is the best time to plant a Mediterranean garden in Malta?

October to March is ideal for new plantings. That gives your plants 6–8 months to settle in before their first real summer. Avoid planting from May to September—survival chances are slim.

Which Mediterranean plants DO NOT work in Malta?

Classic “Mediterranean” balcony plants from Germany, like petunias, regular geraniums, and most annual summer flowers won’t make it. French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and many Italian olive varieties are also too sensitive for Malta’s extremes.

Do I need a building permit for garden landscaping in Malta?

You don’t need a permit for standard garden work. But: for any structure over 1.5 meters (pergolas, tall walls) or if working with protected buildings, a permit may be required. If in doubt, contact the Planning Authority.

Where can I get native Maltese plants?

Ta’ Qali Nursery has the biggest selection of local species. San Anton Gardens Shop stocks rare native plants. You can also legally gather some wild natives—like capers or wild thyme—in nature (with landowner’s permission).

Does composting work in Malta?

Yes, but it’s different from Germany. With the heat, decomposition is much faster—my compost is ready in 6–8 weeks instead of 6 months. You need to turn it more often and add more water. Worm composting only works in sheltered, cool spots.

Can I install a lawn in Malta?

Technically yes, but economically not really. Lawns need daily watering. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is the only semi-practical option, but even it turns brown in high summer without heavy irrigation.

Which garden tools are especially useful in Malta?

A pickaxe for rocky ground, a pressure washer or strong garden hose (tap water is very hard), UV-resistant watering cans, and definitely good gloves—many Maltese plants have thorns or irritating sap.

Are there any pests I should watch out for?

Yes: Red spider mites love the dry heat, scale insects are active year-round, and snails can be a winter problem. The oleander moth (a butterfly) can strip an oleander bare. Neem oil is usually the best natural solution.