Diseño de jardines mediterráneos en Malta: plantas y consejos de paisajismo para aficionados internacionales

Why Malta will test your green thumb

I thought I knew about gardening. Three years in Germany, two in Italy – Mediterranean plants had become my thing. Then Malta happened. And after six months, my first garden here looked like a moonscape. Welcome to the reality of the Maltese climate!

Malta isn’t simply Mediterranean. That would be too easy. The island sits on the 35th parallel, has over 300 sunny days a year and temperatures that often break the 40°C mark in summer. The term semi-arid climate (semi-dry climate with little rainfall) is much more fitting.

The Maltese soil drama: lime, clay, and rocks

The soil in Malta consists mainly of Terra Rossa (red clay soil), lying on limestone bedrock. What does that mean for you? Three things: first, extremely alkaline pH (often above 8); second, catastrophic drainage when it rains; third: rocks. Rocks everywhere.

On my first dig I hit limestone plates after just ten centimetres. The previous owner had simply topped the garden with a thin layer of soil. Underneath: pure rock. Its no wonder that standard Mediterranean plants give up here.

Water: the precious drop

Malta has no natural freshwater sources. All drinking water comes from Reverse Osmosis (sea water desalination by reverse osmosis) or is pumped from the groundwater. Tap water costs about €1.60 per cubic metre – sounds cheap, but for a 20 square metre garden watered every day that quickly means €200 a month.

On top of that: from June to September it practically doesn’t rain. Zero. Nada. I once watered every single day for three months and still watched my lavender die. Maltese summer is fight for survival for every plant.

What does this mean for you? Forget everything you think you know about Mediterranean gardening. Malta plays in its own league. But don’t worry – with the right plants and techniques you’ll still create your green paradise.

Mediterranean plants Malta: The survival artists for your garden

After three years of trial and error I’ve compiled a list of plants that not only survive Maltese conditions but absolutely thrive. These are my proven survivors.

Succulents and cacti: The indestructible heroes

Agaves are absolute winners in Malta. I’ve tried five different types – all bloom splendidly. The Agave americana gets enormous, so plan for space. For smaller gardens, I recommend the Agave attenuata (Swan Neck Agave).

• Aloe Vera: Needs almost no water, copes easily with 45°C
• Opuntia ficus-indica (Prickly pear): Grows wild in Malta, edible fruit
• Sedum species: Perfect for rock gardens, bloom in various colours
• Echeveria: Forms beautiful rosettes, ideal for pots

Mediterranean herbs: Taste and fragrance

Herbs are basically indestructible in Malta. My rosemary is now a 1.5-metre bush and hasn’t been watered for two years. Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) absolutely loves the Maltese dryness.

Trees and shrubs: Characterful shade-givers

Olive trees are the obvious choice, but beware: they take years to give shade. For quicker results I plant Schinus molle (Peruvian pepper tree). It grows fast and copes with extreme heat.

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is practically indestructible, but warning: highly toxic for children and pets. My neighbour has three oleander bushes which haven’t been watered for ten years and still explode with pink blossoms.

What does this mean for you? Invest in plants that love dryness, not just tolerate it. You’ll thank yourself for the lower water bills and stress.

Mediterranean Garden Design: Layout and Design for Malta

Designing a Mediterranean garden in Malta follows different rules than on the European mainland. Here, lushness is out – smart heat and water management is key.

Zoning: Creating microclimates in your garden

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

1. Wind-protected zone: Delicate plants behind a stone wall
2. Half-shade zone: Under olive trees or next to the house
3. Full-sun zone: For succulents and heat-resistant plants

The trick is microclimate design. A well-placed large rock retains heat through the day and releases it at night. Mediterranean plants love that.

Rock gardens: The Maltese specialty

Since youre digging up rocks all the time anyway, it makes sense to incorporate them. Xerophytic gardening (drought-adapted landscaping) isn’t a trend in Malta – it’s a necessity.

My rock garden has three layers: Large limestone blocks for structure, medium stones for accents, and fine gravel for ground cover. In between, succulents and wild Maltese plants like Capparis spinosa (caper bush) grow.

Water management: Every drop counts

Forget romantic fountains. In Malta, rainwater is like treasure. I installed a 500-litre system connected to the guttering. From October to March, I collect about 800 litres – enough for the first summer months.

• Mulching: Use light-coloured gravel instead of bark mulch. It reflects heat and stores moisture
• Drip irrigation: A €200 investment
• Greywater system: Re-use shower water for tough plants

What does this mean for you? Plan your garden like a water management system. Every decision should answer: How do I save water?

Malta Garden Plants: My Top Recommendations after 3 Years

This list is based on three years of real tests in my 30-square-metre garden in Sliema. Every plant has survived at least two Maltese summers – without any plant air conditioning.

Category 1: The indestructibles (water 0-1x/week)

Prickly Pear (Opuntia): Grows practically everywhere in Malta. I have three species in my garden: Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia robusta and Opuntia microdasys. The fruits are edible, the flowers spectacularly yellow.

Bougainvillea: Mine now climbs the whole terrace wall. Needs almost no water after the first year. Warning: the thorns are brutal – I now wear gloves just to walk past it.

Category 2: The grateful ones (water 2-3x/week)

Pelargoniums (often wrongly called geraniums): I had to rethink here. German window-box geraniums die instantly in Malta. But Pelargonium graveolens (scented-leaf pelargonium) and local wild types thrive.

Lantana camara: This plant is basically a weed in Malta – with good reason. It blooms in yellow, orange, red or pink, depending on variety. Mine has been flowering non-stop for two years.

Category 3: The surprises

Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias): Looks like a weed but it’s a designer shrub. Forms perfectly rounded grey-green balls, needs barely any water. Caution: milky juice is very toxic.

Wild Maltese capers (Capparis spinosa): Grow in cracks and produce the capers you know from the kitchen. Tough as nails and with beautiful white flowers.

What does this mean for you? Fill 70% of your garden with “indestructibles”. The remaining 30% can go to more demanding experiments – if they die, it’s not much of a loss.

Practical Tips: How to make your Malta garden survive the summer

The Maltese summer is a stress test for any garden. From June to September, it’s like Sahara conditions. 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 midday in 40°C is money down the drain – it evaporates instantly. Watering in the evening just attracts snails, which are very much a thing in Malta.

My watering schedule for July/August:

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

Mulching in Malta: Stones instead of bark

Organic mulches like bark chips aren’t suitable in Malta. They break down too quickly, attract insects, and acidify the soil even more. I use light gravel or crushed limestone instead.

The benefits:

1. Reflects sunlight, lowers soil temperature
2. Prevents evaporation more effectively than organic material
3. Looks Mediterranean and matches Maltese natural stone
4. Never needs renewing

Providing shade: Creative solutions

Trees take years. But your plants need shade now. I experimented with shade cloth – 50% shade is enough for most plants.

My DIY solution: bamboo poles and white shade cloth from the Pavi Shopping Complex (costs about €3 per m²). The improvised tent over my herb garden reduced water use.

Emergency heatwave strategies

When the thermometer goes above 42°C, I switch to emergency mode:

• Move all pots into the shade or indoors
• Extra watering in the afternoon (only for at-risk plants)
• Set up temporary shade with old sheets
• For especially valuable plants: put out water dishes to humidify the air

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

Landscaping Malta: Costs, Providers, and DIY Alternatives

Professional garden landscaping in Malta operates at very different price points compared to Germany. Here’s a real-world check for your budget.

Costs for professional landscaping in Malta

I got five quotes for my 30-square-metre garden. The range was brutal: from €2,500 to €8,500. The price differences were mainly down to plant selection and irrigation systems.

Recommended providers in Malta

Gardens of Malta (Attard): Specialises in native plants, fair prices. My neighbour had his entire garden done there – still looks perfect after two years.

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

Green Fingers Malta (Qormi): Good compromise between price and quality. Lots of experience with expat gardens.

DIY alternative: My €1,200 garden

I designed my own garden from scratch. 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 can recommend:

1. Ta Qali Nursery: Largest selection, prices from €5 per plant
2. Buskett Gardens Center: Specialises in Mediterranean species
3. Greenhouse Malta (Mosta): A bit more expensive, but very healthy plants
4. San Anton Gardens Shop: Small selection, but rare local species

Insider tip: In October and November, many nurseries sell their surplus at 50% off. Perfect if you want to save.

Long-term costs: What comes after set-up?

Ongoing costs for my garden are about €30 per month:

• Water: €15–25 (season-dependent)
• Fertiliser and pest control: €5–8
• Replacement plants: €5–10

What does this mean for you? DIY is absolutely doable in Malta and saves a lot of money. But allow at least a year to get set up – 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) cope completely without extra watering. They’ve adapted to Mediterranean summer drought over thousands of years.

How much does garden water cost per month in Malta?

For a 20–30 m² garden, expect €15–40 per month, depending on plant choice and season. In peak summer (July/August) it can go up to €60 if you have many thirsty plants. Collecting rainwater reduces the costs.

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

October to March is ideal for new plantings. That way, plants have 6–8 months to get established before summer hits. Avoid planting from May to September – survival rates are very low.

Which Mediterranean plants do NOT work in Malta?

Classic Mediterranean balcony plants from Germany, like petunias, standard geraniums and most annual summer flowers, won’t survive. Even French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and many Italian olive varieties are too sensitive for Malta’s extreme climate.

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

For normal gardening, you don’t need a permit. But beware: structures over 1.5 metres high (pergolas, high walls) or protected buildings may require approval. When in doubt, ask the Planning Authority.

Where can I get native Maltese plants?

Ta’ Qali Nursery has the biggest selection of native species. San Anton Gardens Shop carries rare local plants. Many native species, like capers or wild thymes, can also be legally foraged from nature (with landowner permission).

Does composting work in Malta?

Yes, but differently than in Germany. The heat drastically speeds things up – my compost is ready in 6–8 weeks instead of 6 months. You’ll need to turn it more often and add more water. Worm composting only works in protected, shady places.

Can I have a lawn in Malta?

Technically yes, economically no. Lawns need daily watering. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is the closest practical option, but will still go brown in peak summer without heavy irrigation.

What special tools do I need in Malta?

A mattock for rocky soils, a power washer or strong hose (tap water is very hard), UV-resistant watering cans, and good gloves – many Maltese plants have thorns or caustic sap.

Are there plant pests I should watch for?

Yes: red spider mites love the dry heat, scale insects are active year-round, and in winter, snails can be a problem. The oleander hawk-moth (a butterfly) can defoliate oleander bushes. Neem oil is usually the best natural remedy.