Plants bring more than aesthetic appeal to your pool area, they also provide a sense of privacy and security, while also adding oxygen and a natural border to your property. Regardless of where you live, your pool area presents some distinct landscaping challenges. For example, if the environment is naturally damp and humid, this makes some native species less viable for these green spaces. Choose the plants that you love and talk to the pool pros at Pool Troopers and landscape professionals in your area to learn more about the best ways to implement them in your backyard.
When it comes to pool landscaping, the best plants for your pool area really comes down to where you live:
Arizona
In Arizona, it is common to plant succulents near the pool. Some plants like aloe, agave, Lithops, and Haworthia are examples of plants that thrive in the often-harsh Arizona climate. Cacti are another category of succulents that make a stunning landscape scheme in this region, but position and plant them carefully. Be wary of putting cacti near where people pass and walk, as they could be pricked accidentally when traversing your property.
The dry, arid air can also make it challenging to find foliage that thrives for your pool area. This is an excellent time to consider your many hardscaping options, which require little to no maintenance! Some things that you might do in lieu of plants or trees include outdoor art, a fire pit, natural stone, or unique landscape lighting that brings an alluring quality to your space.
Texas
If you live in Texas, you know how integral a pool is during the extreme heat of summer. One advantage of the Texas climate is the year-round sunshine; make sure that you use plants that will adapt to the ever-changing conditions around your pool. Avoid plants with complex or large root structures, or those that may shed seeds or needles into your pool. This can create a mess that requires a lot of effort to maintain. Talk to your pool and landscape professional to find options that won’t attract insects or pests to your pool area; also, as lovely as flowers can be, know that fragrant blossoms and blooms may bring bees and wasps to the space.
Consider these options that organically work in your Texas pool landscape:
- Palms do well in Southern and Coastal Texas. They inherently adapt to the hot weather and are drought-tolerant, which is important in this part of the country. Palm trees provide shade near the pool, which creates a cooler, more comfortable space in the Texas sun. Palms do ‘shed’ seeds and leaves, so they will need to be maintained and cleaned. Be thoughtful about where you plant them, as palms may grow quite expansive and encroach your pool area. It makes sense to plant palms in containers or pots so that you can easily move them around, as needed.
- Succulents are also a viable choice for Texas pool areas and landscapes. They require little maintenance and are drought-tolerant, so they require minimal care. These are ideal near a pool without a system of irrigation, plus succulents are drought-tolerant plants; therefore, they require little water which will help you save money on the cost of watering your landscape year-round. Another great thing is that succulents are hardy, so they won’t be negatively impacted by exposure to pool chemicals, like chlorine.
- Ornamental grasses are often native species that do well with little effort; they often create their own little eco-system that is self-sustaining. Some great choices in Texas include Side-Oats Gramma, Fountain grass, pampas, and purple Autumn grasses. For movement and texture near your pool, consider adding Big Bluestem, a common Texas grass that is often seen on the plains and prairies, blowing in the breezes.
In the diverse Texas climate, you may also find that ferns do well near the pool. Make sure that you position or plant your ferns in shady spots that are moist and not in high-traffic areas for best results. Bring them inside during extreme wind, rain, and weather. Ferns thrive and are most hardy in balmy, humid conditions- which is why many people keep them in the bathroom of their home.
Florida
When it comes to your pool landscaping, think about the conditions and potential challenges of the space. For example, plants that are too close to the pool may come in contact with chlorine, a common pool additive; how will the plant tolerate this? Choose hardy choices that will thrive in tropical climates like Florida, where year-round sunshine may be accompanied by tropical storms or even hurricanes.
Some of the best pool plants in this region include tropical plants that love humidity and that can thrive in the windy, often wild weather of Florida. Some good choices for this area of the US include canna-lilies, elephant’s ears, and papyrus grass- all which do well in close proximity to your hot and humid pool area. Again, homeowners should be cognizant of which plants and foliage will shed debris around their pool area before planting, as you could be creating a lot of work for yourself later-on, depending on your landscaping choices. Use a variety of sizes and textures to create a lush and exotic mood in your outdoor space.
An inherent issue for Florida landscapes is often the soil. The soil in Florida can run the gamut from dense and clay-like to sandy, which can make it difficult to know exactly which plants will thrive best near or around your pool. Know that papyrus is almost always a great choice for your Florida landscapes, gardens, and beds, especially when the soil conditions are less than ideal. Floridians that have struggled with clay-like soil conditions will appreciate the hardy papyrus, which thrives in clay soil. This means that it is also a perfect landscaping choice for ponds and bogs in this region, which may be too wet and dense for many other plants. Proteas also thrive in less-than-ideal growing conditions, so make sure that you don’t add fertilizers which can interfere with their natural hardiness, causing them to wane.
Use these tips to find the best flora and foliage for your outdoor green space- including your pool area. Know that it typically comes down to your hardiness and grow zone, which identifies the best flowers, trees, and foliage for your region. To find plants that will thrive and be hardy near your pool, discuss options further with your pool landscape professional.
Since 1952, Pool Troopers has been the full-service pool maintenance company for residential pool owners who are tired of doing the work themselves, or who have experienced hit and miss service with other pool service companies. Pool Troopers provide chemical, cleaning, and repair pool services. We want to keep the public informed about industry trends, tips and tricks and best practices for pool maintenance. Find us near you with services throughout Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Palm Beach, Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, and Houston. Call on us, America’s Backyard Heroes, to create a cool and carefree pool space for you, your family, and guests; you can depend on our safe, reliable, professional pool technicians to do the job right. Call to learn more today.
