“The flora of La Palma is a mosaic of life, where every corner blooms with strength and beauty.”
Its mountains, ravines, and coasts hold a unique botanical richness, shaped by the island’s climate, altitude, and volcanic origin.
Walking across La Palma is like watching nature transform step by step, from the humid laurel forests to the pine woods that grow over ancient rivers of lava.
The flora of La Palma combines native species that grow only here with others that, although once brought from afar, have adapted perfectly to the island’s environment.
It’s a true natural garden, every plant tells its own story.
Typical Plants and Flowers of La Palma
What Makes La Palma’s Flora So Special?
What makes the island’s flora unique is its diversity and ability to adapt.
The contrast between the humid north and the dry south, combined with the wide range of altitudes, creates an extraordinary botanical mosaic.
In just one day, you can pass from the coastal cardones (spurge cactus) to the lush laurel forest, and from there to the high mountain pine forests where the Canary pine reigns.
La Palma still preserves species that are true living fossils, direct descendants of the ancient subtropical forests that once covered Europe millions of years ago.
Vegetation Landscapes of La Palma
The island’s flora changes with altitude, climate, and orientation.
From sunlit shores to volcanic peaks, each area offers a unique landscape that reflects La Palma’s natural diversity.
Coastal Zone: Green Between the Sea and Lava
In the lower, sunny areas of the island, grow plants that resist heat, wind, and salt.
These species bring color and life to volcanic slopes and seaside promenades.
- Canary spurge (Euphorbia canariensis)
- Sweet spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera)
- Aeonium (Aeonium spp.)
- Canary date palm (Phoenix canariensis)
- Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
- Frangipani (Plumeria rubra)
- Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra)
- Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
- Protea (Protea cynaroides)
- Flamboyant tree (Delonix regia)
- Pink trumpet vine (Podranea ricasoliana)
- Orchid tree (Bauhinia variegata)
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Midlands: The Green Transition of the Island
Between 400 and 1,200 meters of altitude, the midlands combine forests, farmland, and flowers.
Here, humidity is higher, and plants thrive in harmony with rural life.
- Aeonium (Aeonium spp.)
- Mayflower (Pericallis cruenta)
- Laurel (Laurus novocanariensis)
- Viñátigo (Persea indica)
- Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
- Til (Ocotea foetens)
- Barbusano (Apollonias barbujana)
- Ferns
- Dragon tree (Dracaena draco)
- Frangipani (Plumeria rubra)
High Mountain Zone: The Realm of the Canary Pine
Above 1,800 meters, vegetation changes completely.
Only plants adapted to cold, wind, and altitude can survive here.
These highland landscapes are quiet, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful.
- Canary pine (Pinus canariensis)
- Codeso (Adenocarpus foliolosus)
- Retamón (Genista canariensis)
- Tajinaste (Echium wildpretii)
- Summit violet (Viola palmensis)
- Amargante (Cistus symphytifolius)
- Mountain gacia (Tenile stenopetala)
- Fire peak (Lotus phyranthus)
Other Plants That Shape the Landscape
Besides its native species, La Palma is home to many plants that, though not originally from the island, have become a natural part of its scenery.
They line roads, ravines, and paths, blending perfectly into the landscape.
- The most visible among them is fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), an invasive species with soft golden plumes that light up the sunny slopes.
Beautiful yet problematic, its spread poses a challenge to native flora. - Agaves (Agave americana and Agave attenuata) are also common.
Their long, lance-shaped leaves and towering flower stems, sometimes several meters high and curved like a swan’s neck, are a familiar sight along rural paths and dry hillsides. - Prickly pears (Opuntia spp.), with their colorful fruits known as tunos or cactus figs, paint the midlands and volcanic slopes in warm hues.
Once, they served not only as food but also as a source of cochineal dye, a natural red pigment. - The Tamarisk (Tamarix canariensis), a coastal shrub typical of the Canary Islands, grows near the sea and is often used as an ornamental plant.
You can spot it along seaside promenades such as La Fajana de Barlovento or Los Cancajos, where it provides shade and greenery. - And among the most widespread flowers, the Oleander (Nerium oleander) stands out with its pink, white, or red petals brightening up roadsides and avenues.
Its heat resistance and long blooming season have made it one of the most common ornamental plants on the island.
