Turning your above-ground pool area into a beautiful oasis is easier than you think! With the right plants and a bit of care, you can create a stunning and low-maintenance landscape. In this guide, I’ll show you the best plants for around your above-ground pool, along with some tips on how to keep them looking their best.
YayImagesWhat Types of Plants Are Best For Around Pools?
When choosing plants to go around your above-ground pool, it’s essential to consider factors like debris, sun exposure, and root systems.
The best plants are typically those that thrive in full sun, are drought-tolerant, and have non-invasive root systems that won’t damage your pool’s structure.
Look for plants that require little water and minimal maintenance, as these will save you time and effort in the long run. Additionally, select plants that won’t drop excessive leaves or flower petals into the pool, as this can affect water quality and clog pool filters.
Some plants, like ornamental grasses, are hardy and versatile, making them great choices for various soil types and climates. Others, like tropical plants, can add a lush, exotic look to your pool area but may require more care in cooler climates.
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
Star Jasmine is an excellent choice for pool landscaping, offering fragrant flowers that bloom from late spring into early fall.
This climbing plant can be trained to grow along a fence or trellis near your pool, adding a touch of elegance to the surrounding area. It’s a great option for creating a natural privacy screen while providing a tropical look to your pool deck.
2. Passionflower
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 6-10
Passionflower is a striking tropical plant that’s perfect for adding a pop of color to your pool patio. Its exotic, intricate flowers are a great choice for creating a vibrant focal point around your above-ground pool.
Passionflower thrives in full sun and is relatively low maintenance, making it a great option for busy pool owners.
3. Bird of Paradise
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 10-12
For a truly tropical look, Bird of Paradise is one of the best plants to consider. With its large leaves and unique flowers resembling a bird in flight, this plant can bring a sense of lush greenery to your backyard oasis.
Bird of Paradise thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for hot summers and adding a dramatic flair to your pool landscaping.
4. Canna Lilies
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 7-10
Canna Lilies are another great idea for adding color and texture around your pool. These hardy plants boast large, tropical leaves and bright flowers that bloom throughout the growing season.
They thrive in full sun and can be planted in decorative rocks or garden beds near your pool deck for a bold, tropical statement.
5. Pygmy Date Palm
C T Johansson / Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 UnportedHardiness Zones: 9-11
Pygmy Date Palms are small trees that offer a tropical vibe without overwhelming your outdoor space. These palms are perfect for planting around the edges of your pool, providing shade and a line of evergreen shrubs that require little maintenance.
They are also a good choice for pool owners looking to create a more shaded sitting area near the pool.
6. Elephant Ears (Colocasia)
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 8-11
Elephant Ears, known for their large leaves, are a dramatic addition to any poolside garden. These tropical plants thrive in partial shade and require regular watering to maintain their lush, vibrant appearance.
Elephant Ears can be planted in garden beds or containers to create a stunning backdrop for your pool wall.
7. Agave
Rudy and Peter Skitterians / PixabayHardiness Zones: 8-10
The Agave plant is a drought-tolerant plant that adds interesting foliage to your pool landscaping. With its spiky, architectural form, the Agave Plant is a great option for creating a low-maintenance, desert-inspired look around your pool.
It’s particularly well-suited for hot summers and areas with poor soil types, making it a resilient choice for your surrounding landscape.
8. Fountain Grass
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 5-9
Fountain Grass is an ornamental grass that offers a soft, flowing texture to your pool landscaping. This hardy plant thrives in full sun and is a great choice for adding movement and contrast to your poolside garden.
Fountain Grass can be planted in clusters around the pool edges or in containers for a breezy, relaxed feel.
9. Blue Fescue
Hans / PixabayHardiness Zones: 4-8
Blue Fescue is another ornamental grass that’s ideal for adding a touch of cool color to your pool landscaping. This low-growing grass features silvery-blue foliage that creates a striking contrast against the greenery of other plants.
Blue Fescue thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a good choice for planting near your pool deck.
10. Hibiscus
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 4-9
Hibiscus plants are perfect for adding a tropical touch to your backyard pool area. With their large, vibrant flowers, Hibiscus plants bloom from late summer into early fall, providing long-lasting color around your pool.
These plants thrive in full sun and are a great choice for adding both beauty and privacy to your pool landscaping.
To learn more about growing Hibiscus, read our guide here!
11. Daylilies
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 4-9
Daylilies are low-maintenance plants that add bright pops of color to your poolside garden. These hardy perennials are a great idea for planting along the pool edges or in garden beds.
Daylilies thrive in full sun and require little water, making them a practical choice for pool owners looking for easy-care plants that deliver maximum impact.
12. Lavender
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 5-9
Lavender is a fragrant, drought-tolerant plant that’s perfect for pool landscaping. Its silvery-green foliage and purple flowers provide a calming atmosphere around your pool.
Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for creating a low-maintenance, aromatic border around your pool deck.
Read more about growing lavender here!
13. Coneflowers (Echinacea)
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 3-9
Coneflowers are a fantastic addition to any poolside garden. These hardy perennials are known for their resilience and long-lasting blooms, which attract butterflies and add a vibrant touch to your pool landscaping.
Coneflowers thrive in full sun and are a good choice for adding height and interest to your flower beds.
14. Boxwood
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 5-9
Boxwood shrubs are a classic choice for creating structure and definition around an above-ground pool. With their evergreen foliage and neat, compact growth, Boxwoods are great for forming a natural hedge or border around your pool area.
They thrive in both full sun and partial shade and require little maintenance, making them a reliable option for pool landscaping.
15. Knock Out Roses
YayImagesHardiness Zones: 5-9
Knock Out Roses are perfect for adding color and fragrance to your poolside garden. These roses are known for their disease resistance and continuous blooms from late spring through early fall.
Plant them near your pool patio or along the pool wall for a burst of color that requires minimal care. Knock Out Roses thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them an easy-care choice for pool owners.
YayImagesConclusion
Choosing the right plants for your above-ground pool area is essential for creating a beautiful, functional, and low-maintenance landscape.
Whether you’re looking for tropical plants, ornamental grasses, or hardy perennials, the options listed above are all great choices that can thrive in the conditions typical of a poolside environment.
By carefully selecting plants that complement your pool’s surroundings and meet your maintenance preferences, you can create a backyard oasis that is both stunning and practical.
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!
