Long meals under the sun. The scent of rosemary on the breeze. Terracotta, olive trees, stone, and stillness. A true Mediterranean garden isn’t just timeless, it can make your home feel like a vacation in the Italian countryside or Greek islands - which was exactly our goal when we bought our house. 

Our house is a small, original Spanish Style in the middle of Los Angeles built in 1925, and while our property isn't particularly large, with our house nicely situated right in the middle, we have multiple yard spaces to work with, and all of our first projects were slowly, step by step, turning them into our Mediterranean dream, drawing our inspiration from our travels in Italy, Greece and Spain. 

With the right layout, materials, and plant life, your backyard can feel like the kind of place where time slows down and everything else fades. Here’s how to recreate that effortless Mediterranean vibe at home - with landscaping ideas, essential plants, timeless decor, and easy shopping picks to get started. 

1. Start With Defining Areas in Your Yard

Mediterranean courtyards and gardens are built around intimacy - corners carved out of stone, shaded nooks under old-growth trees, spaces that invite you to stay. If your current patio setup feels exposed, loud, or out of sync, it’s worth rethinking where your dining area lives.

Find a quieter, more tucked-away spot in your yard - ideally one that gets late afternoon sun and feels separate from the rest of your space. Add climbing vines, natural wood fencing, or privacy hedges to frame the area and make it feel like its own room. Screens and hedges can make a huge difference in the overall feel of your front or backyard, and when grown in add so much privacy that they completely change the feel and usage of your yard. 

If you can, build around existing trees or add a pergola with climbing vines over (especially grapevines if you are in the right climate) for that signature dappled light.

One side of our backyard when we first moved in - with no landscaping, no vibe, and no privacy. We felt so completely exposed, but knew we would be work on changing that immediately.

A couple of years later, our privet hedge along the side and vine trellis along the back have changed the feel and usability of our yard completely. We still have a long way to go - the next sep is building a Bougainvillea trellis along the side of the grey shed in the corner and covering the entire side with a wall of vines and magenta flowers.

What to do:

Create a semi-enclosed area in your yard that feels intentional. Use natural fencing, trees, or trellises to block out the outside world. Add a pergola, trellis or train vines overhead for softness and privacy.

2. Add Hardscape and Ground Cover That Feels Like the Mediterranean

This hotel in Italy was our yard inspiration.

Skip the high-maintenance grass. Mediterranean gardens thrive in dry heat and rocky soil - so the ground under your feet matters just as much as the greenery around it.

Go for:

• Decomposed granite (DG) for a natural, rustic look that’s easy to walk on, in either a white or light tan color. 
• Crushed marble chips in white or cream for an iconic Italian Masseria aesthetic like the photo above. 
• Pea gravel or limestone fines if you prefer a softer, muted texture
• Terracotta Tiles for a natural look and earthy color on concrete or patio spaces.

These materials drain well, stay cool, don't need the maintenance of grass, and instantly evoke the courtyards of southern Europe.

3. Bring in Signature Mediterranean Plants

Mediterranean gardens are defined by drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants with deep roots and bold fragrance. Think herbs, silvery greens, and textures that age beautifully. If you live in a Mediterranean-style climate like I do in Southern California, this is incredibly easy as all of these plants grow well here, but if you are in a wildly different climate, research to see which ones will do best in your area. 

Must-have Mediterranean plants for your backyard:

• Olive tree - in ground or in a large clay pot, fruiting or fruitless, a tree that grows with age or little ollie bushes - every kind of olive works. 
• Meyer lemon tree - dwarf sizes in pots, or let one get full grown with a larger space.
• Lavender (English or Spanish) - a fast growing classic that is infinitely usable.
• Rosemary – upright or creeping, this woody herb is long lasting, makes amazing bushes, and never bolts.
• Thyme, oregano, and sage – all edible and beautiful
• Bougainvillea – vibrant, romantic, and fast-growing
• Italian cypress – tall and dramatic for structure
• Succulents and agave for arid texture
• Euphorbia or rock rose for low water color, a little cactus mixes in incredibly well.

One of our freshly-planted backyard planters.

4. Incorporate Earthy, Weathered Decor That Tells a Story

A true Mediterranean garden feels layered, a little imperfect, and full of personality — like it's been slowly cultivated over time, just like the landscapes themselves. The key to achieving this look is embracing decor that carries a sense of history and character.

Opt for weathered stone statues, reclaimed wood benches, or iron lanterns that show signs of age. These pieces don’t need to be new or pristine; in fact, the more worn-in, the better. Weathered terracotta pots, rusted metal planters, and faded mosaic tiles all contribute to a lived-in charm that instantly transports you to the Mediterranean coast. The goal is to create a space that feels like it’s been evolving for years — a place where every piece has its own story to tell.

Incorporating vintage or rustic elements is crucial. Look for items like old fishing nets, terracotta urns, or distressed wooden doors that can serve as focal points or accents. Not only do these pieces add texture and interest, but they also invoke a sense of authenticity and connection to the past, which is essential in Mediterranean design.

Look for:

• Natural materials like terracotta, wood, iron, and clay
• Low-slung wood tables or built-in bench seating
• Ceramic pots in uneven finishes
• Woven rattan chairs or linen cushions
• A mix of neutral tones and warm sunbaked accents (ochre, sand, terra cotta, dusty rose)
• Reclaimed wood furniture - Try local antique shops or there are a lot of great artisans on Etsy
• Rustic stone or terracotta accents 
• Vintage lanterns and metal decor

5. Maintain the Magic With Regular Upkeep

No one wants to sip wine next to a dusty table or sit on faded cushions. A Mediterranean space may look aged, but it never looks neglected.

Clean your outdoor surfaces regularly, pressure wash stone or tile when needed (pressure washing professionals like JCS Home Services can work magic), and protect furniture with covers between uses. Replace dead plants. Keep weeds at bay. Refresh textiles each season. The effort is small, but the impact is everything.

Keep your garden looking polished with:

• A semi-annual pressure wash of stone, tile, or DG paths
• Re-oiling or sealing wood furniture each season with Teak Oil
• Fresh cushion covers or throws (store indoors during off-seasons)
• Regular herb trimming to keep things fresh and bushy
• Fall and spring refreshes for pots and planters

Shop This Look:

• Outdoor furniture covers - Check out Covers & All or Home Depot for a wide variety
• Pressure washer rental - Available at most Home Depot or Lowe’s locations.
• Herb scissors and pruning shears - Both large and hand-sized
• Outdoor-safe storage benches - Keep your tools together, and with a cute cusion, these can double as seating.

6. Let Lighting and Sound Set the Mood

The final touch? Atmosphere. Mediterranean evenings glow with warmth - not just from the sun, but from soft lights, clinking glasses, and the hum of slow conversation.

How to create that feeling at home:

• Hang string lights or lanterns at different levels
• Italian bistro lights - a classic that cannot be beat.
• Replace outdoor scones with Mediterranean Iron styles.
• Add candles in glass holders or stone bowls
• Set up a small speaker with a chill Mediterranean playlist (think flamenco guitar, Fado, Bossa Nova, French jazz)
• Layer in incense, palo santo, or citronella for scent and mood

7. Add a Water Feature That Feels Ancient, Not Overdone

Mediterranean gardens often center around water - not in a flashy way, but with quiet fountains or stone basins that feel like they’ve been there for centuries. Why it works: The gentle sound of water instantly adds calm. It cools the space, masks street noise, and brings a timeless, lived-in feel to the yard.

Look for:

• A tiered clay or stone fountain
• A minimalist concrete bowl with a soft bubble
• Wall-mounted spouts above a ceramic basin
• Reclaimed troughs or antique sinks converted into water features

8. Add in a Fire Feature for Nighttime Gathering

The Mediterranean isn’t all sun and citrus - nights matter too. A fire pit with a rustic feel makes the space feel warm, communal, and inviting long after the sun dips.

Go For:

• A modern, low-profile fire bowl
• A stone or stucco fire pit with built-in seating
• A portable clay chiminea for smaller spaces
• Concrete fire tables if you prefer clean lines
• Fire pit seating - Curved benches, iron chairs with cushions
• Firewood storage baskets - large rustic pieces that double as a table, or a streamlined iron basket

9. Build in Raised Garden Beds or Herb Walls

The Mediterranean lifestyle is rooted in growing your own ingredients - but it doesn't have to look utilitarian. Lean into design with raised beds in aged stone or wood, or vertical herb walls that double as decor.

Go For:

• Stone-edged herb beds
• Cedar or corten steel planters
• Vertical garden walls with terracotta pots
• Hanging herb baskets on trellises or fences

10. Embrace Tile and Stone for Texture and Character

Mediterranean design isn’t afraid of pattern - especially on tile. Whether you go bold with a full tiled patio or keep it minimal with tiled tabletops, this is your chance to inject rich color and heritage into the space.

Go For:

• Moroccan zellige tile 
• Spanish or Portuguese painted tile stair risers
• Raw terra cotta tiled outdoor bar or floor.
• Mosaic-style planters or benches

Color palette: 

Think deep cobalt, burnt sienna, mossy green, whitewashed cream, dusty yellow - or go Moroccan with a teal and pink combo

Shop This Look:

• Hand-painted tile - check out Clay Imports, Zia Tile, Fireclay for unique styles
• Outdoor tile furniture - even a small bistro table adds Mediterranean charm
• Peel-and-stick outdoor tile - amazing for rentals or a low-cost garden make over.
• Natural, uneven stone pavers - either placed sporadically or covering a patio or hardscaped space, or a Mykonos-style Greek Island look. 

11. Frame It in Bougainvillea

No Mediterranean garden feels complete without bougainvillea — vibrant, dramatic, and unmistakably coastal. It climbs walls, wraps pergolas, and floods your garden with hot pinks, deep purples, oranges, and whites. A bougainvillea works everywhere, and I always go for the classic Greek Island hot pink, and the beautiful variegated Thai Delight colors. It's not subtle, and that’s exactly the point.

Best for:

• Climbing up stucco walls
• Cascading over archways or gates
• Wrapping pergolas or fences for instant color

Care tips: Bougainvillea thrives on heat, sun, and a little neglect. It hates wet roots and cold, so plant it in well-draining soil and protect it in winter if you’re not in a frost-free zone. They are incredibly fast growing in a good environment, you can easily start with a small plant and find it grown up an entire wall or trellis within a year. 

Shop This Look:

• Bougainvillea plants - local nurseries, or order online from Home Depot, Amazon, or custom grown on Etsy
• Wall trellises - in wood, metal, or built in to planters for patio and hardscaped spaces.
• Terracotta pots  - I love a mix of wall-spanning Bougainvilleas and a few in pots for a fully layered, classic European look.
• Espalier grids or wire kits - create diamonds, arches, or other shapes along walls or fences for a look fit for an Italian palace. 

12.  Plant a Focal Olive or Citrus Tree

Anchor the space with a signature tree — olive for elegance, citrus for charm. These are the heart of any Mediterranean garden, giving structure, shade, and even edible beauty. Olive trees and little ollie bushes are my favorite addition and I've added them all over our house - from an olive tree hedgeline bordering across our front yard, the little ollies all throughout the parkway, to a fruiting olive as a cornerstone of the backyard (we've even learned how to cure our own olives!)

For a patio or small garden:

• Dwarf olive trees in large clay pots
• Meyer lemon or calamondin trees - dwarf citrus trees can grow and root for years in large pots.
• Bay laurel for evergreen structure

For larger yards:

• Full-size olive trees (Arbequina or Koroneiki)
• Multi-trunk citrus groves
• Cypress trees for vertical drama

13. Add a Pergola or Grapevine Trellis for Structure and Shade

Nothing says Mediterranean quite like a pergola draped in grapevines. It’s rustic, romantic, and incredibly functional — offering filtered shade, structure, and that slow-living, wine-country aesthetic. Whether you're creating an outdoor dining area or framing a quiet garden nook, a pergola instantly elevates the space and gives your garden a timeless feel.

Design ideas:

• Build a wooden or metal pergola over your patio, outdoor kitchen, or lounge area
• Install a freestanding grape trellis as a focal point or garden divider
• Train grapevines, wisteria, or climbing roses to cover the structure with greenery and blooms
• Hang outdoor string lights or linen curtains for extra mood and softness

Best materials:

• Weathered cedar or redwood for rustic charm
• Matte black steel for a clean, modern Mediterranean look
• Powder-coated aluminum for durability in harsh climates

Shop This Look:

• Pergola kits – Yardistry, Toja Grid, Vita Gardens
• Freestanding grapevine trellises – Plow & Hearth, Gardener’s Supply
• Grape vines (Thompson seedless, Concord, or Muscat) – Ison’s Nursery, Stark Bro’s
• Outdoor café string lights – Brightech, Pottery Barn, or Amazon
• Curtain panels or shade cloths – IKEA, West Elm, or Sunbrella

14. You Can Never Have Too Many Terracotta Pots

Terracotta is to Mediterranean gardens what linen is to summer: essential, effortless, and never too much. These sun-warmed clay pots instantly evoke the feel of old European courtyards and coastal balconies, no matter where you live. The trick? Mix sizes, layer them, and don't worry about perfection — a little patina only adds to the charm.

How to use them:

• Cluster pots in threes near doorways, benches, or stairways
• Mix large floor pots with tabletop versions for dimension
• Use aged terracotta urns as sculptural accents, even unplanted
• Plant herbs, citrus, succulents, or trailing flowers like alyssum or dichondra

Design Tip: Opt for classic clay tones, but mix in whitewashed or mossed finishes for a more lived-in, collected look. Mediterranean style always leans rustic over polished.

Shop This Look:

• Aged and classic terracotta pots – Terrain, Campo de’ Fiori, Eye of the Day
• Oversized urn planters – CB2, RH, or local antique markets
• Rust patina or moss-effect finishers – Etsy, Terrain, or DIY with yogurt aging method
• Terracotta plant saucers – Amazon, Home Depot, or local nurseries