What plants are best around pool?

Having a pool in your backyard can be a fun way to cool off and relax during the summer. However, choosing the right plants to surround your pool area is an important decision. The right poolside plants can provide shade, visual interest, and help keep your pool clean. But you need plants that can tolerate lots of reflected sunlight and splashing water from the pool. Here are some of the best options for plants to use around a pool.

Grasses

Grasses make excellent poolside plants because they are low maintenance and can tolerate sun and some light foot traffic. Some great options include:

• Zoysia grass – A warm-season grass that forms a thick, dense mat. It has good tolerance for sun, heat, and some drought.
• Bermuda grass – Quickly forms a lush lawn in warm weather. Withstands a lot of sun and foot traffic.
• St. Augustine grass – Has broad blades and thrives in heat, humidity, and sun. It stands up well to heavy use.

These spreading grasses will form a soft, comfortable lawn area around the pool. Just be sure to give them plenty of sun and water in hot weather. You can overseed occasionally to fill in thin or bare spots.

Succulents

Succulents make excellent poolside plants because they require little water or maintenance. Here are some top options:

• Aloe vera – Has thick, spiky leaves perfect for reflecting pool water. Tolerates heat and drought extremely well.
• Hens and chicks (Echeveria) – Forms low mats of colorful rosettes that require little care.
• Sedums – Low-growing succulents that form mats or mounds of colorful leaves. Great for rock gardens near pools.
• Agave – Adds height and drama with spiky blue-green leaves. Loves hot, dry conditions.

Use succulents to create beds or accents around the pool. Group together for high impact. Just avoid prickly types right next to pathways or seating areas.

Shrubs and Bushes

Shrubs and bushes can provide privacy, hide pool equipment, and add color around the pool area. Some top picks include:

• Oleander – Grows quickly into a tall hedge with gorgeous blooms from summer to fall.
• Lantanas – Produce clusters of brightly colored flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Hibiscus – Tropical shrubs with large, colorful blooms. Do well in pool microclimates.
• Pittosporum – An excellent fast-growing hedge or screen that tolerates pruning well.
• Bamboo – Provides quick, dense privacy screening and adds texture with arching canes.

Be sure to give shrubs ample space from the pool itself so the plants are not constantly wet. Prune regularly to promote dense growth.

Vines

Vining plants are great for climbing fences, trailing over walls, and adding vertical interest around pools. Some top options include:

• Bougainvillea – Features colorful bracts that bloom in pink, purple, red, orange, white, and more.
• Mandevilla – Climbing vines with large, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink and red.
• Passionflower – Unique flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
• Grape ivy – An easy-growing vine perfect for spilling over container edges.

Use trellises, arbors, or walls to display vining plants to their full advantage around pool areas. This allows them to climb up while keeping their roots safely away from the pool itself.

Annual Flowers

For quick color around the pool, you can’t beat fast-growing annual flowers. Some top picks include:

• Zinnias – Available in almost every color, zinnias love sun and heat. Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
• Marigolds – Cheerful flowers that repel insects. Choose dwarf varieties for poolside containers.
• Petunias – Cascading types are perfect for hanging baskets and pots. Thrive in full sun and hot weather.
• Geraniums – Available in many colors, geraniums bloom continually in poolside planters and beds.

For best results, choose annuals bred specifically for heat tolerance. Give them well-drained soil and plenty of sun. Fertilize regularly and remove spent blooms to encourage new flowers.

Palms

Palm trees immediately create a resort-like vibe around backyard pools. Some top choices include:

• Queen palm – Reaches 40-50 feet tall with a gray trunk and large, fan-shaped leaves.
• Pygmy date palm – Perfect for tight spaces, growing 10-12 feet tall and 5 feet wide.
• Sabal or cabbage palm – Handles wet soil well if planted a bit back from the pool edge.
• Sago palm – Not a true palm but handles poolside conditions well. Resists pests and diseases.

Palms thrive in the warm, humid microclimate around pools, looking right at home. Be sure to give them adequate space from the water so their large root systems have room to spread.

Trees

Trees provide shade and style while their large size helps buffer noise. Some great options for around pools include:

• Crape myrtle – Provides gorgeous summer blooms and fall color with an attractive, peeling bark.
• Olive trees – Handle heat and drought extremely well once established.
• Water-wise oak trees – Including live oak and southern red oak.
• Ornamental fruit trees – Such as citrus, apple, peach, and plum. Limit mess with fruitless varieties.

Position trees to provide shade over seating areas or sections of the pool. This creates a comfortable microclimate on hot sunny days. Just take care to leave ample space between trees and the pool or patio.

Groundcovers

Groundcovers excel at choking out weeds, preventing erosion, and covering bare ground around pools. Some top options include:

• Liriope – Features grassy foliage and spikes of purple flowers. Tolerates sun or shade.
• Mondo grass – Forms a bright green carpet that needs little mowing or care.
• Dwarf myrtle – A tough groundcover that handles foot traffic and resists pests.
• Creeping Jenny – Adds a pop of chartreuse color and quickly spreads to fill in areas.

Use groundcovers on slopes, under trees, and in other problem spots where turfgrass struggles to grow. They’ll create an easy-care, low maintenance landscape around the pool.

Conclusion

Choosing the right plants is key to creating a beautiful, functional poolside landscape. Opt for varieties that can handle the intense growing conditions around pools, including reflected sunlight, heat, humidity, and splashing water. With the right plant selection, you can create a tropical oasis that adds privacy, comfort, and style to your pool area.

Plant Type	Recommended Varieties	Key Benefits
Grasses	Zoysia, Bermuda, St. Augustine	Soft lawn, tolerates foot traffic
Succulents	Aloe, Hens and Chicks, Sedums	Low maintenance, drought tolerant
Shrubs	Oleander, Lantana, Pittosporum	Privacy, color, fast growing
Vines	Bougainvillea, Mandevilla, Grape Ivy	Vertical interest, climbing
Annual Flowers	Zinnias, Marigolds, Petunias	Color, heat tolerant, fast growing
Palms	Queen Palm, Pygmy Date Palm, Sago Palm	Tropical look, poolside ambience
Trees	Crape Myrtle, Olive, Oak	Shade, style, noise buffer
Groundcovers	Liriope, Mondo Grass, Dwarf Myrtle	Fill in bare spots, prevent erosion