Spain tackles summer heat with passive home cooling strategies and hardy garden plants

Architects and designers are promoting passive measures to keep homes comfortable during Spain’s record‑breaking summer temperatures. Techniques such as external sunshades, roll‑up blinds, cross‑ventilation through strategically placed openings, reclaimed patios and water features are highlighted for their ability to reduce indoor heat without mechanical cooling.

Gardening experts are also advising residents on plant species that thrive in intense heat and dry conditions. Succulents and cacti such as Sedum morganianum, Mediterranean staples like geraniums, lavender and rosemary, and resilient herbs such as Echinacea and Sansevieria are recommended for balconies and terraces. Proper soil drainage, shaded placement, and careful watering schedules are emphasized to create micro‑climates that moderate temperature and maintain plant health.