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Which plants for Marrakech?

45 °C in summer, possible winter frost, very dry air: the palette that thrives in the red city, indoors and in the garden.

June 8, 20267 min read

Marrakech has the most contrasted climate of our delivery cities: 45 °C summers, winters where the thermometer can drop below 4 °C at night, and very low humidity all year. The plants that succeed there are those that accept these swings — and they are often those of the historic palm grove.

In the garden and by the pool

Date palms and Washingtonia are at home; olive and bitter orange give the shade and scent of the riads; bougainvillea explodes from May to November. Avoid large lawns and humid-climate species (hydrangeas, outdoor ferns, shaded turf) that demand unreasonable irrigation.

Inside riads and villas

Covered courtyards offer filtered light ideal for kentia, rhapis and strelitzia. Watch out for air conditioning and dry air: mist, group plants, and prefer tough species (snake plant, ZZ plant, aloe) in bedrooms. Calathea and alocasia will need daily attention in summer.

The Marrakech calendar

October to March: planting season. Anything planted now roots before the heat.
December–January: protect young citrus and potted tropical plants from cold nights with horticultural fleece.
June to September: plant nothing, water at dawn, mulch and prune as little as possible.