Having a pool in your backyard can be a fun way to cool off and relax during the summer. However, maintaining the area around the pool can be a challenge. You’ll want plants that can withstand getting wet, occasional chemical exposure from the pool, and hot, reflective conditions. The right plants can provide shade, beauty, privacy, and help prevent erosion around the pool perimeter. Here are some of the best options to consider when landscaping around your swimming pool.
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Plants that Tolerate Wet Feet
Many poolside plants will get their “feet” wet, either from splashing or runoff. Selecting varieties that can tolerate moist soil is key:
Iris
Iris come in a rainbow of colors and tolerate soggy soil quite well. Plant them about 1-2 feet away from the pool’s edge, in clusters. Irises grow 1-3 feet tall, with lush, straplike leaves.
Papyrus
An exotic look for poolside, papyrus thrives in wet conditions. It’s an upright grass that can grow 4-10 feet tall, with unique umbel flower heads. Use papyrus as an accent plant around the pool’s perimeter.
Water Lilies
For pools with a sheltered section, water lilies are a classic choice. Add them to the water, either in pots or planted directly in a submerged garden bed. Vibrant flowers will float on the water’s surface during warmer months. Protect water lilies from strong winds.
Horsetail Reed
Horsetail reed handles having “wet feet” quite well. This tall, slender plant grows in clusters up to 4 feet high. Horsetail reed adds texture and vertical interest around pools, accessorizing nicely with grasses, iris, and other water-wise choices.
Canna Lily
With long stalks of vibrant blooms in shades like red, orange, pink, and yellow, canna lily brings the tropics poolside. It thrives in damp soil and full sun. Canna grows up to 6 feet tall and does well in containers too. Mass it along the pool’s edge.
Plants that Tolerate Reflected Heat
The reflective surface of water can blast surrounding plants with heat and light. Options that tolerate these challenging conditions include:
Yucca
With sword-shaped, spiky leaves and tall flower stalks, yucca handles heat extremely well. There are many attractive varieties to choose from. Plant it 1-2 feet from pool edges and watch it thrive in the desert-like conditions.
Lantana
Lantana is a rugged, low-maintenance plant that blooms prolifically in hot areas. Choose a trailing variety to drape over poolside planters or plant bushy types for tropical color. Lantana flowers come in bold shades like orange, yellow, pink, purple, red, and white.
Verbena
Tough, spreading verbena is another stunner for poolside gardens. It blankets the ground or spillers attractively over containers with clusters of pink, purple, red, or white flowers. Verbena mixes well with trailing lantana and other heat-lovers.
Portulaca
For a colorful, low-growing option, portulaca is a winner. It forms a drought-tolerant lawn or bright groundcover around pools. The succulent foliage stays green in heat and dryness, accented by lively flowers. Portulaca blooms in shades of pink, orange, yellow, white, and red.
Lemon Grass
Add structure and height with ornamental grasses like lemon grass. Its straplike leaves and scent evoke the tropics. Plant lemon grass in clumps around the pool’s perimeter. Plumes will sway in the breeze, tolerating relentless sunlight and reflected heat.
Plants that Handle Chlorine Exposure
Pool chemicals like chlorine can drift on air currents, irritating plants. Some great options that resist chlorine include:
Bamboo
For quick privacy screening around the pool, grow bamboo. It shoots skyward fast, masking views while tolerating chemical drift. Use clumping bamboo varieties, not spreading types that can be invasive. Bamboo offers shade and adds peaceful, rustling sounds.
Halogena
Also called saltbush, halogena makes a nice landscaping shrub near pools. Gray or green leaves add color and texture contrast. Tiny yellow flowers provide seasonal interest. Halogena tolerates chlorinated air well, needing little care in dry conditions.
Society Garlic
Society garlic handles poor soil, drought, and chlorine exposure. Plant groups of this tough perennial near pool fences and patios. Mounds of grassy foliage generate pretty clusters of lavender flowers in summer. Society garlic repels pests too.
Juniper
For neat structure and greenery, plant juniper shrubs around pool barriers and seating areas. The dense boughs provide privacy and shade. Juniper’s aromatic foliage tolerates chlorinated air wafting from the pool. Dramatic blue or gold varieties add striking color.
Rosemary
Known for fragrance and culinary use, rosemary is also quite sturdy near pools. The tidy bushes withstand drought, heat, and chemicals. Rosemary’s gray-green needles release their signature scent when brushed. Use upright types for borders or trailing rosemary near pool stairs.
Options to Help Prevent Erosion
Pool edges without plant roots nearby can erode from rain runoff and soil disturbance. Stop washouts with these erosion-fighting plants:
Sedum
Sedum forms carpetlike mats of succulent foliage that controls erosion remarkably well. Its shallow roots stabilize soil quickly. Low stonecrop varieties work beautifully along pool edges and in rock gardens. Sedum comes in shades of green, gold, and red.
Ice Plant
With its fast-spreading habit, ice plant (Delosperma) curbs erosion around swimming pools. The fleshy leaves and stems form a living mulch. Ice plant blooms in summer, with flowers in pink, purple, yellow, and white. It needs very little water or care once established.
Creeping Thyme
Another option for colorful, soil-stabilizing groundcover is creeping thyme. It forms a dense mat only 2-4 inches tall, withstanding light foot traffic. Tiny leaves release a wonderful fragrance when stepped on. Creeping thyme bears clusters of pink or purple flowers that attract pollinators.
Wooly Thyme
Similar to creeping thyme, wooly thyme has soft, gray-green leaves that discourage erosion. This variety grows only 1-3 inches tall – an excellent lawn substitute around pools. Walking on wooly thyme releases its thyme scent. Pretty flowers add seasonal color. It needs little mowing or water.
Dichondra
For a lush, emerald lawn effect, use dichondra near pool surrounds. The creeping stems send out roots as they grow, knitting the soil together to prevent erosion. Soft, rounded leaves give dichondra a flowing, attractive look. It tolerates foot traffic and needs little mowing, fertilizing, or irrigation.
Shade-Providing Plants
Creating shaded spots is important around sun-drenched pools. Some excellent options include:
Bamboo
Fast-growing bamboo is unrivaled for quick shade. It can form tall, elegant screens to filter sunlight around pool patios and benches. Bamboo adds visual interest and rustling sound from the foliage. Use clumping types planted in sturdy containers that limit spread.
Banana
For bold tropical flair, plant banana trees around the pool perimeter. Their huge paddle-shaped leaves cast dense shade. Bananas prefer sheltered microclimates and enriched soil. The fruit can’t reach maturity in most temperate zone gardens but the lush foliage is a big win.
Citrus Trees
For edible poolside shade, grow dwarf citrus trees like oranges, limes, grapefruit, and lemons. Their glossy evergreen leaves provide dappled shade. Many citrus varieties thrive with summer water in well-drained soil. You’ll enjoy the sweetly scented blossoms and ripe fruit.
Olives
Olive trees are another excellent fruiting choice for pool areas. Their silvery foliage casts light shade. Plant dwarf olive cultivars, as they fruit more heavily and fit better in poolside gardens. You can harvest and cure your own olives. Olives require good drainage but tolerate dry soil once established.
Umbrella Plant
A traditional pool plant in warm climates is the umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius). This grasslike perennial shoots long, slender leaves skyward in an umbrella-shaped tuft. Umbrella plant provides dappled shade, filtering sunlight attractively over pool areas. Grow it in pots partly submerged along pool edges.
Plants that Repel Pests Like Bees, Mosquitos, and Wasps
It can be problematic if bees, mosquitoes, and wasps frequently bother swimmers. Deter them discreetly with plants that repel pests:
Lavender
The aromatic oil in lavender confuses bees and wasps so they stay away. For poolside areas, choose compact English lavender instead of taller types. It grows 2-3 feet tall, with purple-blue blossoms and silvery foliage. Tuck lavender around pool stairs, fences, and seating nooks.
Marigolds
Marigold’s pungent scent drives away mosquitoes and other annoying bugs. For pools, use the compact French marigold that grows 6-12 inches tall. Cheerful yellow, orange, and red blossoms will decorate pool edges vibrantly while keeping pests at bay.
Catmint
With pretty purple-blue flowers and aromatic foliage, catmint deters a wide range of pests. Plant catmint in drifts along pool barriers, patios, and stairs where you want to discourage bees and wasps especially. It grows 2-3 feet high and handles heat and drought once established.
Basil
For an edible pest-repelling plant, add containers of basil around pool seating areas. The strong scent of basil chases away mosquitoes, houseflies, and aphids. Harvest leaves frequently to promote more growth. Replace plants each summer season for best results.
Garlic
Similar to onions and chives, garlic helps repel mosquitoes, spiders, ants, beetles, and aphids. Plant garlic in borders around the pool barrier and seating areas to safely keep pests at bay. The edible bulbs mature in summer for harvesting. Garlic’s long, grasslike foliage stays attractive all season.
Conclusion
Creating an attractive landscape around your pool is easy with the right plant choices. Opt for varieties that tolerate wet feet, reflected heat, chlorine exposure, and erosion. Shade-loving, pest-repelling plants are ideal too. With a little planning, even challenging poolside environments can become beautiful, lush gardens that enhance your backyard leisure time all summer long. The plants mentioned above are excellent options, but consult a local nursery or landscaper to find additional varieties suitable for your particular climate and growing conditions. With the proper plants in place, you’ll enjoy your swimming pool that much more.
| Plant Name | Key Benefits |
|---|---|
| Iris | Tolerates wet soil, colorful blooms |
| Papyrus | Handles soggy soil, unique texture |
| Water Lilies | Thrive in pools and water gardens |
| Horsetail Reed | Tolerate “wet feet”, adds height |
| Canna Lily | Suits wet conditions, bold tropical look |
| Yucca | Withstands heat, structural appeal |
| Lantana | Drought-tolerant, long bloom period |
| Verbena | Spreads nicely, vibrant flowers |
| Portulaca | Tolerates heat and dryness, bright flowers |
| Lemon Grass | Handles heat, adds height and tropical flair |
| Bamboo | Tolerates chemicals, fast privacy screening |
| Halogena | Withstands chlorine exposure, needs little care |
| Society Garlic | Handles poor soil and chemicals |
| Juniper | Tolerates chemical drift, evergreen structure |
| Rosemary | Aromatic, tolerates heat and chemicals |
| Sedum | Prevents erosion, attractive groundcover |
| Ice Plant | Fast-spreading, colorful flowers |
| Creeping Thyme | Forms erosion-resistant mat, releases fragrance |
| Wooly Thyme | Soft foliage stops erosion, needs little care |
| Dichondra | Prevents erosion, lush emerald lawn look |
| Bamboo | Very fast privacy screening |
| Banana | Huge tropical leaves, dense shade |
| Citrus Trees | Dappled shade, fruit, glossy foliage |
| Olives | Silvery foliage, edible fruit |
| Umbrella Plant | Graceful dappled shade |
| Lavender | Repels bees, wasps, and mosquitoes |
| Marigolds | Deters mosquitoes and other pests |
| Catmint | Repels range of insects |
| Basil | Strong scent deters mosquitoes and flies |
| Garlic | Repels mosquitoes, spiders, ants, and beetles |