The swimming pool is a welcoming sight on a summer’s day and provides tranquility and lushness during other seasons. A careful planting design will transform your pool surrounds into a secluded backyard haven. That’s why choosing Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices ensures beauty, safety, and minimal upkeep.
Planting design around the swimming pool needs considerable consideration, involving time and research. Adding any plant that you like the look of might not be enough if you want a lush, secluded, and safe backyard. Instead, opting for low-maintenance poolside plants full sun ensures greenery that thrives in your climate while reducing hassles.
You may love your tropical poolside holidays and idyllic Instagram images of swimming pool havens, but not all plants thrive well near pools. Choosing plants suitable to the local climatic conditions is vital.
Before deciding, you must take into consideration:
- Will the plants shed leaves and clog your pool filter?
- Are the roots invasive? Could they damage pool surrounds, pool walls, or plumbing systems?
- Are the plants safe for swimmers, without thorny or spiky parts?
To avoid these pitfalls, below are Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices that thrive near pools. They are salt and drought-tolerant, low maintenance, and safe for poolside use.
Exotic Planting
Loved the beach resort last holiday? If you want a resort-style look for your swimming pool surrounds, exotic planting is an excellent option. These plants are vibrant, hardy, and ideal for Simple low maintenance pool landscaping. They not only add tropical flair but also withstand the sunny conditions common near pool areas.
- Shrubs: Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae), Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
- Low-level shrubs: Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’), Hebe
The Bird of Paradise gives a bold splash of orange and blue flowers, resembling exotic birds, while the Windmill Palm adds elegance with its fan-shaped fronds. Zebra Grass, with its striking striped blades, brings texture, while Hebe provides compact greenery. Together, this combination offers a dynamic, colourful effect while being hardy and low-maintenance. They are among the best Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices for creating a modern yet tropical poolside.
Native Combo
For those who prefer a natural, countryside feel, native planting is the way to go. This combination offers a distinctly Australian touch, making your backyard resemble a peaceful billabong. Native plants are drought-tolerant, adapt well to local soils, and are less likely to cause maintenance issues.
- Trees: Blueberry Ash (Eleocarpus reticulatus), Swamp Banksia (Banksia robur)
- Groundcover: Prostrate Grevillea (Grevillea juniperina ‘Molongolo’), Ice Plant (Carpobrotus glaucescens)
The Blueberry Ash is an evergreen with dainty pink flowers and berries that attract birds, while the Swamp Banksia provides bold texture and unique flower cones. Groundcovers like Prostrate Grevillea and Ice Plant are excellent for preventing soil erosion near pool edges and provide splashes of colour. This pairing is excellent for low-maintenance plants around pool areas, creating a natural retreat. For homeowners seeking hardiness and charm, this is one of the most reliable Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices.
Sculptured Look
If your vision for your poolside is neat, structured, and contemporary, a sculptured look is ideal. This style focuses on bold architectural plants that bring elegance while keeping upkeep minimal. Succulents and structured grasses are perfect for low-maintenance poolside plants full sun, as they can withstand heat and require very little water.
- Shrubs: Yucca, Reed Feather Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora Karl Foerster)
- Groundcover: Aeonium, Echeveria
Yucca adds striking, sword-shaped foliage that creates a dramatic outline, while Reed Feather Grass sways beautifully in the breeze, reflecting light onto the pool. Groundcovers like Aeonium and Echeveria add subtle texture with rosettes of fleshy leaves, thriving in containers or open soil. Together, they provide a timeless, clean appearance that works perfectly for Simple low maintenance pool landscaping. This option is stylish, fuss-free, and one of the smartest choices in Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices.
Mediterranean Combo
If your poolside has a larger planting area with different levels, the Mediterranean combo is a beautiful and practical solution. Known for its silvery foliage and sun-loving plants, this mix creates a refreshing visual effect while attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Trees: Olive Tree (Olea europaea), Pencil Pine (Cupressus sempervirens ‘Glauca’)
- Low-level shrubs: Blue Chalksticks (Senecio serpens), French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
The Olive Tree brings timeless elegance, and Pencil Pines add vertical accents that frame the pool beautifully. Blue Chalksticks provide a stunning silver-blue carpet effect, while French Lavender adds both fragrance and colour. These plants thrive in sun-drenched areas and require very little care. They are among the most attractive Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices, and they perfectly complement low-maintenance poolside plants full sun designs with Mediterranean character.
Tropical Feel
If lush greenery is what you desire, tropical planting transforms your poolside into an oasis. Tropical plants offer large leaves, bright flowers, and cooling shade, creating a holiday feel right in your backyard.
- Shrubs: Sandankwa Viburnum (Viburnum suspensum), Frangipani (Plumeria)
- Low-level shrubs: Fern (Blechnum gibbum), Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Sandankwa Viburnum is dense and evergreen, while the fragrant Frangipani adds vibrant flowers and a holiday vibe. Ferns soften hard edges with delicate foliage, and the Sago Palm provides an architectural focal point. These species require moderate care but thrive in sunny poolside spots. They’re ideal low-maintenance plants around pool areas where lushness is the goal. This is one of the most popular Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices, loved for its instant tropical impact.
Resort Looks
If you want your poolside to feel like a luxury getaway, the resort look is perfect. It brings a permanent vacation vibe into your backyard while keeping maintenance low.
- Trees: Magnolia, Alexander Palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae)
- Groundcover: Giant Lilyturf (Ophiopogon jaburan), Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
Magnolia trees provide glossy leaves and fragrant flowers, while Alexander Palms bring height and elegance. Groundcovers like Giant Lilyturf add lush texture, and Star Jasmine provides a delightful fragrance. Together, these create a refined, resort-style effect. They’re an excellent choice for Simple low maintenance pool landscaping and certainly one of the most glamorous options among the Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices.
Small Space
Not all poolside areas are expansive. If you have a smaller backyard or a plunge pool, container planting is the best way to maximize style without cluttering the space.
Choose compact versions of plants mentioned in earlier sections, such as Echeveria, Lavender, or Star Jasmine, and grow them in decorative pots. Containers make it easy to manage growth, prevent invasive roots, and add flexibility—you can rearrange them to change the look of your poolside. They also work beautifully with low-maintenance poolside plants full sun varieties, as pots can be placed in optimal spots. This solution keeps your poolside practical yet beautiful, making it one of the cleverest Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices.
Why Pool-friendly Plants Are Important
Creating a relaxing and beautiful pool environment requires more than just water and tiles—selecting pool-friendly plants is a crucial design decision. The right plants enhance aesthetics, create privacy, and contribute to a serene atmosphere without causing maintenance issues. Poor plant choices can lead to leaf litter in the water, invasive roots damaging pool structures, or excessive shade that reduces sunlight exposure.
Key reasons why pool-friendly plants are important:
- Reduces maintenance efforts: Pool-friendly plants shed less foliage and flowers, minimizing the debris that falls into the pool. This reduces the frequency of cleaning and keeps filters from clogging.
- Prevents root damage: Plants with non-invasive roots protect pool plumbing, paving, and retaining walls from structural damage, ensuring longevity and fewer repairs.
- Enhances comfort and privacy: Thoughtfully selected plants for privacy around pool areas create a natural screen, offering a secluded and tranquil space for relaxation.
- Improves the pool’s visual appeal: Poolside greenery softens hardscapes, blends natural and built elements, and complements the water’s reflective surface, making the area more inviting.
- Withstands pool conditions: Plants chosen for pool areas must tolerate full sun, occasional splashes of chlorinated water, and reflective heat. Poolside plants full sun varieties thrive in these conditions and maintain their vibrant color and texture year-round.
Choosing Pool-friendly Plants
Selecting suitable plants for pool areas involves balancing aesthetics with practicality. Not all species can handle the reflective heat, splashes, or exposure to chemicals from the pool water. It’s essential to choose low maintenance plants around pool spaces that thrive with minimal attention while maintaining visual harmony.
Tips for choosing the right pool-friendly plants:
- Opt for hardy, drought-tolerant species: Choose poolside plants full sun varieties such as agave, yucca, and lantana, which can handle intense light and minimal watering. These plants also resist heat stress and retain their form throughout the year.
- Avoid messy or deciduous trees: Steer clear of species that drop leaves, flowers, or fruits frequently, as they can increase cleaning efforts and clog filtration systems. Evergreens are better for maintaining year-round greenery.
- Consider non-invasive root systems: Select plants with shallow roots like ornamental grasses, dwarf palms, or succulents to avoid damaging poolside pavements and underground plumbing.
- Incorporate plants for privacy around pool: Use taller shrubs such as bamboo, viburnum, or clumping palms to create natural barriers that enhance seclusion while still looking elegant.
- Use simple low maintenance pool landscaping designs: Arrange plants in defined beds or containers to simplify watering and pruning. Mulching also helps retain moisture and control weeds.
Best Trees For Pool Areas
Trees around pools add shade, structure, and a lush tropical feel. However, the best trees are those that combine beauty with practicality—providing shade and visual appeal without constant leaf fall or aggressive roots.
Recommended trees for pool areas:
- Frangipani (Plumeria): Known for its fragrant flowers and compact canopy, this tree is ideal for small spaces. It has non-invasive roots and tolerates full sun, making it a perfect choice for tropical-themed pools.
- Olive Tree (Olea europaea): A hardy, drought-tolerant tree that offers elegant silvery foliage and minimal leaf drop. It thrives in warm, sunny environments and complements Mediterranean-style landscaping.
- Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): For a softer, decorative touch, this tree adds color and texture without aggressive roots. It’s ideal for partial shade areas near the pool where cooler tones balance sunlit spaces.
- Palm Varieties (such as Kentia or Queen Palm): These are excellent for vertical interest without creating heavy shade. Their shallow roots and minimal debris make them ideal low maintenance plants around pool settings.
- Bottlebrush Tree (Callistemon): A native Australian tree that produces vibrant red flowers, attracts birds, and withstands full sun exposure. It’s both ornamental and practical, enhancing the poolside’s visual appeal.
By choosing the right combination of trees and plants, homeowners can achieve a balance of beauty, privacy, and durability. The goal is to create a visually appealing, low-maintenance retreat where the plants thrive effortlessly around the water’s edge.
Pool Landscaping: Things To Consider
Designing a pool landscape requires a balance between visual appeal, safety, and ease of upkeep. Plant selection should prioritise resilience to sun, splashing water, and pool chemicals while keeping leaf litter to a minimum. A well-planned layout using Simple low maintenance pool landscaping principles helps create a relaxing environment that stays neat year-round. Incorporating Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices ensures the space remains functional without constant pruning, watering, or cleaning.
Add Lots of Movement & Texture With Ornamental Grasses
- Ornamental grasses introduce gentle movement that softens hard pool edges and paving. Varieties such as lomandra, fountain grass, and dwarf miscanthus sway in the breeze, creating a calming, resort-like atmosphere while requiring minimal care. These grasses are popular low-maintenance poolside plants full sun, as they tolerate heat, reflected glare, and occasional water splash.
- Grasses are excellent Low maintenance plants around pool areas because they shed very little leaf debris compared to trees or large shrubs. Their fibrous root systems also help stabilise soil near pool surrounds, reducing erosion and runoff. Many options work well as Poolside plants full sun, maintaining colour and structure even in harsh summer conditions.
- When layered in groups or borders, ornamental grasses add depth and contrast without blocking views. They pair well with stone, concrete, or timber decking and fit seamlessly into Simple low maintenance pool landscaping designs. Their adaptability makes them a smart inclusion among the Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices for modern pool spaces.
Transport Yourself Seaside With Bold Shrubs
- Bold, coastal-style shrubs instantly evoke a seaside escape and provide strong visual structure around pools. Plants such as hibiscus, gardenia, oleander, and coastal rosemary thrive in bright light and suit Poolside plants full sun conditions. Their glossy foliage and vibrant blooms add colour while standing up well to wind and salt exposure in coastal areas.
- Shrubs are also highly effective Plants for privacy around pool, especially when planted in staggered rows or as living screens. Dense growth helps block neighbouring views and reduces noise while maintaining airflow, creating a more secluded and comfortable swimming area. Choosing compact or slow-growing varieties supports Low maintenance plants around pool needs.
- Many bold shrubs fit within low-maintenance poolside plants full sun categories, needing only occasional pruning to keep their shape. When combined with ornamental grasses, they create a layered landscape that feels lush yet controlled. This approach aligns perfectly with Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices, delivering visual impact without demanding ongoing care.
Conclusion
When designing your backyard, choosing the right plants is just as important as selecting the pool itself. These Seven Low Maintenance Pool Friendly Plant Choices ensure your poolside remains safe, lush, and easy to care for all year long. Whether you prefer tropical greenery, Mediterranean charm, or native beauty, these options offer durability and elegance. With thoughtful planting, your pool area becomes a stress-free, low-maintenance retreat where you can relax and unwind.
Read also Low Maintenance Plants for your Garden.
