Maintaining plants can vary in difficulty depending on the environment. In regions with extreme summers and cold winters, it helps to choose species that tolerate both heat and cold. Nuria Abellán, who oversees the nursery collections at Jardí Botànic de Barcelona, explains this approach clearly: select plants whose native origins align with local conditions and treat them as if they were already growing nearby. If a plant comes from a sunny, rain-scarce area, it naturally prefers shade or partial shade when cultivated elsewhere. Using common sense is essential, she adds.
One practical example is Chilean native cactus, a succulent species that thrives on morning fog with very little water. This suggests careful, infrequent watering and small doses when cared for outside its origin. The same logic implies that climate diversity across Spain does not negate the possibility that any given plant type could suit a particular region, from Galicia to Catalonia or even the Atlantic coasts, given the right conditions. Aromatic plants, in particular, are often easy to care for and require modest effort, especially in Atlantic climates where water and light differ from the Mediterranean pattern.
Because some plants demand little maintenance yet resist both heat and cold, there are others with showy blooms that are suitable for balconies or gardens even for novice gardeners. These examples offer a balance of beauty and resilience:
Clove
The plant’s botanical name is Dianthus caryophyllus. It is a perennial herb native to Southern Europe, growing up to about one meter tall. Varieties of carnation are prolific and beloved for their scent. Blooms appear in spring and extend toward autumn in striking red, pink, white, and yellow hues. They enjoy full sun and regular watering, tolerate heat up to about 40°C, and can withstand frost down to -5°C without issue.
Begonia
Begonias originate in tropical regions of Central and South America, Asia, and Africa, yet many varieties adapt to climates quite different from their birthplace. With over 1,500 species, most Begonias prefer warm temperatures and light shade, with soil that stays evenly moist but not waterlogged. Direct sun is rarely ideal. Many species bloom year-round, thriving in temperatures between roughly 18 and 22°C, though some can tolerate as low as 7–10°C and as high as 38°C depending on the type.
Lavender
This aromatic semi-shrub can reach up to one meter and thrives in the Mediterranean climate. Its purple spikes appear in spring and summer. Lavender loves full sun and requires little water to survive. It endures frosts down to -5°C and endures high temperatures up to around 38–39°C without trouble.
Rose bush
Roses are among the most widely grown flowering shrubs across the world. Native to Asia, Europe, North America, and northwest Africa, many varieties reach 2 to 20 meters in height. They produce fragrant blossoms for much of the year and are notably easy to grow with minimal care: simply place outdoors and water about three to four times weekly in summer, and every four to five days the rest of the year, enduring conditions from 38°C down to -12°C.
Petunia
Petunias are native to South America and are typically perennial in warm climates. They require abundant light and about 4 to 5 hours of direct sun daily, though they can tolerate partial shade with fewer blossoms. Plants range from 30 to 50 cm tall and form clumps, making them ideal for borders and beds. Flowering runs from early spring to late autumn. Flowers come in many colors, except orange, with bi-color varieties also common. They perform well in containers and beds, preferring warm temperatures between 16 and 25°C, but can tolerate brief winter lows near 4°C and summer highs around 36°C.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are deciduous ornamentals that stay under 50 cm tall and originate from South America. They display red, orange, or yellow flowers and offer several healthful properties such as antioxidants, diuretics, antiseptics, and antibiotics. Seeds germinate in roughly 14 to 20 days, and flowering typically begins 7 to 10 weeks after planting. They prefer temperate conditions but tolerate light frosts if not prolonged; maximum heat reaches about 36°C, while minimums hover between 5° and -1°C.
Calendula
Calendula is a herbaceous, aromatic perennial with Mediterranean roots, long celebrated by ancient Greeks and various cultures for its medicinal uses. Its vibrant orange and yellow blossoms open with dawn and close at night, thriving in a range of temperatures up to about 39°C and down to -5°C unless extreme conditions persist. The plant grows to around 50 cm and flourishes year-round depending on the climate.
Sardinia
Often nicknamed the “king of balconies,” this group includes about 422 species with flowers in nearly every color—red, pink, white, purple, and more. They are accustomed to temperate regions worldwide, especially the eastern Mediterranean. Flowers reach up to 45 cm tall and withstand temperatures as low as -3°C, though snow and hail can damage leaves. They tolerate direct sun and heat up to 40°C.
h2>Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea hails from South America and is a climbing, thorny plant admired for its spectacular blooms in fuchsia, pink, and white. It requires low maintenance and can grow 6–8 meters tall. It tolerates heat down to about 38°C but is frost-sensitive, with damage occurring around 5°C and below.
Clematis
With about 300 species native to Europe and Asia, clematis can reach up to 3 meters tall. It prefers direct sun or light shade under leafy trees and offers a variety of flower shapes such as bells, stars, or lanterns in colors including white, purple, navy blue, and pale blue. Its fragrance is reminiscent of jasmine, though more delicate. Clematis handles climate shifts and cold very well, surviving extreme temperatures down to -15°C and up to 22°C.