<p>Cities and urban areas are facing unprecedented environmental threats mainly due to anthropogenic pressures: air, water and soil pollution, rising urban temperatures, loss of plant and animal biodiversity, and difficult management of urban stormwater. An increase of urban green spaces can contribute to mitigate these environmental impacts, which also cause social and economic problems. In Mediterranean cities, the creation of urban green spaces is a debated topic due to the peculiar climate conditions, which include long dry periods and high summer temperatures. To ensure the sustainability of plantings, ‘xeriscape’ methods are proving successful, using drought-adapted plants that should also thrive on low-nutrient substrates. This research compares the use of three native xerophytic plant species - <i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Spenn var. <i>prostratus</i>, <i>Crithmum maritimum</i> L. and <i>Halimione portulacoides</i> (L.) Aellen - for sustainable urban gardening. The study evaluated the agronomic response and adaptability of the plants to the urban environment, using different indicators (plant survival, growth index and ground cover) in three replicated beds (plots) over one year. The weed species found in the beds were collected and listed. <i>Halimione portulacoides</i> showed the best agronomic performance, with the highest growth index and soil cover (close to 100%) followed by rosemary. These plants, used in street-level beds, can enhance urban ecology by regulating water flows, capturing pollutants, and increasing biodiversity. Beds composed in this way require low management inputs and are easy to plant. Therefore, they have the potential to contribute to the development of “Xeriscape” and new urban models, such as tactical urbanism, multifunctional streets and super-isolated streets, which make the most of the ecological value of green plants and are becoming increasingly popular in various European cities, to re-design more sustainable and human-friendly cities.</p>