Is your pool the absolute centre of summer fun, but the area around it feels a little… well, stark? Honestly, mine used to! While the cool water offers an instant escape, that concrete or deck space around it often lacks the beauty that truly transforms a backyard into a resort-like sanctuary.
But imagine stepping out of your sparkling pool into a vibrant, fragrant paradise, offering privacy, shade, and a touch of the exotic. Sounds amazing, right? The good news is this isn’t just a dream – it’s totally achievable with the right plant choices.
I’ve curated a list of 15 exceptional plants for an above-ground pool area. In this guide, I’ll show you how to choose and integrate these resilient beauties to create your very own personal slice of heaven right in your backyard. Let’s get into it!
YayImagesImportant Tips for Poolside Planting
Before we dive into my favourite plants, let’s just cover a few crucial things to make sure your planting efforts are a resounding success. These simple considerations will help you pick the best plants for your space:
- Sun Exposure: Pool areas are usually sun traps, aren’t they? So, always, always choose plants that are full-sun lovers. They’ll thank you for it!
- Water Wise: While a few splashes are inevitable, picking drought-tolerant plants or ones that can handle occasional dryness will seriously save you time and water. Especially if you’re not planning on constant irrigation.
- Low-Maintenance Living: My rule of thumb? Less work for me, more time enjoying the pool! Avoid plants that shed heaps of leaves, petals, or seeds. Less debris in the pool means more time relaxing and less time skimming!
- Root Smart: Just a quick heads-up: be mindful of aggressive root systems. We don’t want anything that could potentially damage your pool liner, pipes, or surrounding deck over time.
- Clear Pathways: Always think about where you’ll be walking. Plants should make the space better, not create tripping hazards or block access. Safety first!
- Pest Patrol: I like to choose varieties that are less appealing to stinging insects, keeping our poolside relaxation undisturbed.
Right, now that we’ve got those bits covered, let’s explore my top 15 picks that will absolutely transform your above-ground pool area!
YayImagesBest Plants For Around An Above-Ground Pool
Now, let’s dive into the top plants that will turn your above-ground pool area into a stunning backyard oasis.
1. Star Jasmine
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 8-10
For an intoxicating fragrance and elegant vining habit, you really can’t beat Star Jasmine. This evergreen vine produces delicate, star-shaped white flowers that release the most alluring, sweet perfume, especially as evening rolls around. It’s brilliant for training along a fence or trellis near the pool, giving you both a beautiful backdrop and a sensory delight.
- Why it’s great for pools: It’s drought-tolerant once it’s settled in, super low-maintenance, offers fantastic privacy screening, and those fragrant blooms just elevate the whole poolside experience.
- Care Tip: Just give it a sturdy support structure to climb, like a trellis or a sturdy fence.
2. Passionflower
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 6-10
Exotic and utterly captivating, Passionflower vines offer some of the most unique and intricate blooms you’ll ever see. Seriously, their vibrant colours and fascinating structures are always a conversation starter! Lots of varieties even produce edible fruit, which is a fun bonus. They grow fast too, so you can quickly get that lush, tropical feel.
- Why it’s great for pools: Rapid growth for quick coverage, stunning and unusual flowers, and you can train them on pergolas or fences for lovely shade and privacy.
- Care Tip: They definitely need a sturdy support structure and often benefit from a bit of pruning to encourage bushiness and more flowers.
3. Bird of Paradise
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 10-12
Want to instantly transport yourself to a tropical paradise? Get yourself a Bird of Paradise plant! Its vibrant, crane-like orange and blue flowers truly look like a tropical bird in flight. Plus, its big, banana-like leaves give such a bold, architectural statement, perfect for creating a lush, exotic feel around your pool.
- Why it’s great for pools: Incredible visual impact, drought-tolerant once established, pretty low-maintenance, and delivers that distinct tropical vibe.
- Care Tip: It absolutely loves full sun and well-draining soil. If you’re in a colder climate, remember to bring it indoors or protect it during winter.
4. Canna Lilies
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 7-10
For a real burst of vibrant colour and dramatic foliage, Canna Lilies are just unbeatable. They come in a kaleidoscope of hues – from fiery reds and oranges to sunny yellows and even variegated leaves – bringing such a tropical exuberance to any spot. Their large, paddle-shaped leaves really add to their bold presence.
- Why it’s great for pools: Show-stopping blooms, robust growth, excellent for creating a lush, tropical border, and they’re relatively easy to care for.
- Care Tip: They prefer consistently moist soil and full sun for the best flowering display. If you’re somewhere chilly, you’ll need to lift their rhizomes for winter storage.
5. Pygmy Date Palm
C T Johansson / Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 UnportedHardiness Zones: 9-11
Let’s be real, no tropical poolside oasis is complete without a palm tree, right? And the Pygmy Date Palm is just ideal for above-ground pool areas because of its perfect, compact size. This elegant palm has gracefully arching fronds, adding a sophisticated, resort-like appeal without overwhelming your space.
- Why it’s great for pools: Creates an instant tropical feel, provides lovely light shade, it’s a manageable size for smaller areas, and doesn’t make too much mess.
- Care Tip: Make sure it has good drainage. And if you’re in a cooler climate, you’ll need to protect it from harsh winter frosts, maybe by wrapping it up or bringing it inside.
6. Elephant Ears (Colocasia)
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 8-11
If you’re after truly dramatic foliage, Elephant Ears are a must-have. Their enormous leaves can be anything from vibrant green to deep burgundy or even black, instantly creating a lush, tropical vibe. They make such an impact when you put them in big containers or use them as a backdrop for smaller plants.
- Why it’s great for pools: Incredible foliage for that tropical look, they grow super fast, can handle moist conditions, and really create significant visual impact.
- Care Tip: They absolutely love consistently moist soil and can be grown in partial shade to full sun, depending on the specific variety.
7. Agave
Rudy and Peter Skitterians / PixabayHardiness Zones: 8-10
If you’re leaning towards a more modern, architectural, or drought-tolerant aesthetic, Agave plants are just perfect. Their bold, sculptural rosettes of spiky leaves come in all sorts of sizes and shades. They’re incredibly resilient and need very little care, making them ideal for busy pool owners like us!
- Why it’s great for pools: Extremely drought-tolerant, super low-maintenance, striking architectural form, and adds that contemporary desert-scape feel.
- Care Tip: Make sure they have excellent drainage to prevent rot. And just a word of caution: be mindful of their sharp leaf tips, especially in high-traffic areas.
8. Fountain Grass
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 5-9
For a soft, airy, and textural contrast to your bolder plants, Fountain Grass is an excellent choice. Its graceful, arching foliage and feathery flower plumes sway so gently in the breeze, creating such a calming and naturalistic feel. It’s a low-maintenance ornamental grass that just adds so much movement and subtle beauty.
- Why it’s great for pools: Low-maintenance, adds gorgeous texture and movement, provides a soft backdrop, and doesn’t shed much debris into your pool.
- Care Tip: Just cut it back in late winter/early spring before new growth appears to encourage fresh, vibrant growth.
9. Blue Fescue
Hans / PixabayHardiness Zones: 4-8
Another fantastic ornamental grass, Blue Fescue truly stands out with its striking silvery-blue foliage. This compact, clumping grass is perfect for edging, rock gardens, or planting in masses to create a really cool, calming effect. Its fine texture and unique colour make it a beautiful contrast to green foliage and colourful blooms.
- Why it’s great for pools: Unique blue colour, low-growing, drought-tolerant, doesn’t shed much, and provides excellent contrast.
- Care Tip: It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. I usually divide the clumps every few years to keep them looking vigorous.
10. Hibiscus
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 4-9
Want to bring the absolute essence of the tropics to your poolside? You need a magnificent Hibiscus. These plants boast huge, trumpet-shaped flowers in an incredible array of vibrant colours – from classic red and pink to sunny yellow and orange. They’re prolific bloomers, giving you continuous bursts of colour all through the warmer months.
- Why it’s great for pools: Spectacular, continuous blooms, that strong tropical aesthetic, and they’re brilliant for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Care Tip: They require full sun and consistent watering during their blooming periods. If you’re in a colder climate, you’ll need to overwinter them indoors.
To learn more about growing Hibiscus, read our guide here!
11. Daylilies
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 4-9
Despite their name, Daylilies offer a succession of blooms that can last for weeks or even months – it’s like a constant floral show! These incredibly resilient and versatile plants come in an astounding variety of colours, shapes, and sizes. They are super low-maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of conditions, making them a perfect choice for reliable poolside colour.
- Why it’s great for pools: Huge range of colours, extremely hardy and low-maintenance, a long blooming season, and they’re so adaptable to various soils.
- Care Tip: Just deadhead those spent blooms to encourage even more flowering and keep things looking tidy.
12. Lavender
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 5-9
For a touch of fragrant Mediterranean charm, Lavender is the perfect choice. Its silvery-green foliage and those beautiful spikes of purple flowers aren’t just pretty; they also release the most calming, aromatic scent when you brush against them. And here’s a bonus: Lavender is also known to deter mosquitoes, which is a definite win for a pool area!
- Why it’s great for pools: Beautiful fragrance, attractive purple flowers, drought-tolerant, and acts as a natural mosquito deterrent.
- Care Tip: It absolutely requires full sun and excellent drainage. Just be careful not to overwater it – it really dislikes wet feet.
Read more about growing lavender here!
13. Coneflowers (Echinacea)
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 3-9
Hardy, cheerful, and incredibly attractive to pollinators, Coneflowers are a fantastic addition to any poolside planting scheme. Their daisy-like flowers with those prominent central cones come in classic purple, but also in shades of pink, white, yellow, and orange. They’re tough as old boots, drought-tolerant, and give you continuous blooms from summer right into autumn.
- Why it’s great for pools: Drought-tolerant, long blooming period, attracts beneficial insects (like butterflies!), and gives off such a cheerful, informal look.
- Care Tip: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage even more blooms and really prolong the season.
14. Boxwood
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 5-9
If you’re going for a more formal or structured look, Boxwood is just an evergreen classic. These dense, slow-growing shrubs can be pruned into neat hedges, spheres, or other shapes, providing year-round greenery and a sense of order. They’re excellent for defining spaces, creating borders, or just acting as a solid green backdrop.
- Why it’s great for pools: Year-round evergreen foliage, can be shaped for that lovely formal aesthetic, relatively low-maintenance, and provides really good structure.
- Care Tip: Prune them regularly to maintain your desired shape. And make sure they have good air circulation to help prevent any fungal issues.
15. Knock Out Roses
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 5-9
If you adore the beauty of roses but really can’t be bothered with all the fuss, Knock Out Roses are your absolute answer. These incredibly disease-resistant and low-maintenance roses produce a continuous flush of blooms from spring until the first frost, without you needing to do any extensive pruning or spraying. They come in a variety of vibrant colours, adding endless charm.
- Why it’s great for pools: Continuous, prolific blooms, highly disease-resistant, super low-maintenance, and adds that classic floral beauty.
- Care Tip: They just need full sun for the best flowering. And no need for deadheading – they’re wonderfully self-cleaning!
YayImagesDesigning Your Poolside Paradise
Once you’ve chosen your favourite plants, let’s think about how to really make them shine! Here are my personal design principles to help you maximize their impact:
- Vary Heights and Textures: This is a game-changer! Mix tall plants with shorter ones, and combine fine-textured grasses with those bold-leaved tropicals for compelling visual interest. It just makes the space feel more alive.
- Embrace Containers: For ultimate flexibility (and to help protect your plants from too many splashes!), I highly recommend planting in attractive containers. This lets you easily move plants, protect them in winter, and ensures excellent drainage – which is so important!
- Strategic Privacy: Use those taller plants like Star Jasmine on a trellis, Pygmy Date Palms, or a carefully placed row of Boxwood to create intimate, private zones from neighbours. So worth it for that resort feel!
- Harmonize Colours: Think about a colour palette that complements your pool liner, outdoor furniture, and just your overall backyard vibe. It ties everything together beautifully.
- Safety First: This one’s important! Avoid placing plants with thorns or sharp features directly in high-traffic areas or where swimmers might accidentally brush against them.
- Drainage is Key: Whether they’re in containers or in-ground, please always make sure your planting areas have excellent drainage. It’s crucial for preventing soggy roots and keeping your plants happy and healthy.
YayImagesFrequently Asked Questions
Will chlorine or saltwater from the pool harm my plants?
Most plants can generally handle occasional splashing from chlorinated or saltwater pools without a problem. But prolonged or really heavy exposure, especially directly on the foliage, can cause a bit of damage. Container planting offers the best protection, and I’ve found rinsing foliage with fresh water after a big splash can really help!
What’s the best way to choose plants for my specific climate?
Always check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone for each plant to make sure it’s happy in your region. Many of the tropical plants I’ve listed might need to be treated as annuals or brought indoors during winter if you’re in a colder climate.
How often should I water plants around my pool?
This really depends on the plant’s needs, your soil type, and your local climate. Drought-tolerant plants will need less watering once they’re established. Generally, I check the soil moisture regularly and water when the top few inches feel dry. Container plants definitely dry out faster, so they’ll need more frequent watering, especially in hot weather.
Are there any plants I should absolutely avoid around a pool?
Yes, definitely avoid plants with really aggressive, spreading root systems (like some bamboo or certain trees) that could damage pool structures. Also, if you’re concerned about stinging insects, steer clear of plants that are highly attractive to bees and wasps, or those that drop excessive debris (like messy fruit trees or very leafy deciduous trees). Less cleanup for you!
YayImagesFinal Thoughts
Transforming your above-ground pool area into a lush, inviting sanctuary is totally achievable. I remember looking at my own plain pool area and thinking, “There has to be more to this!” And there is!
By choosing plants that are not only stunning but also resilient and low-maintenance, you can create a backyard oasis that feels like a permanent vacation spot. It’s so satisfying to step out of the pool and be surrounded by beautiful, thriving greenery.
Whether you’re drawn to bold tropical foliage, soft swaying grasses, or fragrant blooms, there’s a perfect plant (or three) to bring your vision to life. Start small, dream big, and most importantly – design a space that feels like you. Your pool should be more than just a place to cool off; it can be your favorite escape, right at home.
You may also like:
- 27 Best Full Sun Perennials For Your Sunny Garden
- 18 Amazing Heat-Tolerant Annuals That Will Survive Summer
- 30 Fast-Growing Privacy Shrubs For A Beautiful Front Yard
- 21 Best Cascading Plants For Stunning Retaining Walls
Save it for later!
