10 Best Plants for Swimming Pool Landscaping
The key to smart pool landscaping is finding hardy plants that can withstand the pool’s microclimate, are easy to care for, and still look good. Poolside plants provide additional shade and privacy and make your outdoor space more inviting. Be sure to keep children and pets away if you are growing toxic plants.1
Here are 10 plants and trees that make good choices for poolside landscapes.
01 Banana Tree (Musa)
If you want a tropical look for your pool and live in a temperate, frost-free climate, banana plants will instantly create the mood you’re looking for. Bananas are perennial or herbaceous plants with long, broad leaves that grow quickly. Plant them somewhere safe from the wind, as these beautiful leaves can easily be torn off unless they are next to a wall, fence or protected by a nearby tree.
02 Hawaiian Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
If you can grow Hawaii’s state flower in your area, then go for it—you have many species to choose from with dreamy names like “White Wings,” “Crown of Bohemia,” “Peacock Lord Kona” and “Flamenco.”
Hibiscus is a thirsty plant, so be sure to provide it with enough water. In colder climates, consider growing hibiscus in containers and placing the plant near a window over the winter. If you want to use Hawaiian hibiscus in flower arrangements, pick one during the day when it is in full bloom and then refrigerate. It will stay fresh and open in the jar long enough to enjoy in the evening.
03 Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
If you’re thinking of taking the tropical oasis route, Bird of Paradise will get you there in no time. It is similar to a banana tree, has an upright growth habit and leaves are 2 feet long.
Like bananas, Strelitzia reginae needs shelter from strong winds or its leaves may be torn off. Bird of paradise is easy to grow indoors, so if you’re in a cooler climate, overwinter the plant in compost and move it outside in the summer. The bird of paradise is an excellent choice for a poolside landscape: it doesn’t shed its feathers and is durable enough to withstand splashes (in moderation, of course).
04 Zebra Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’)
Ornamental grasses are an excellent choice for pool landscaping. They are easy to care for, aren’t too messy, grow quickly, mix well with other plants, and create a stunning display day or night. This ornamental grass is Miscanthus sinensis “Strictus”, commonly known as zebra grass or sometimes called hedgehog grass. The horizontal stripes give it an exotic look, suitable for tropical landscapes.
05 Egyptian Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)
In the right conditions, Cyperus papyrus (Egyptian papyrus, papyrus or papyrus) can create a lush and tropical mood. Papyrus loves water and can live in swamps and shallow bodies of water. It also does well in amended clay soil – the clay helps it retain the moisture it loves. Pair it with the tall and slender Horsetail, which also loves water.
06 Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia)
Brugmansia, commonly known as angel’s trumpet, also has a divine scent, making it a great shrub or poolside tree. In winter, these plants can be brought indoors and left dormant. If they are kept cool, dark or protected from frost, they can last through the winter and recover the following spring.
07 Echeveria (Crassulaceae)
Echeverias are succulent perennials from Mexico that feel like a cross between felt and velvet. These plants are great for rock gardens and are drought tolerant. They also make a great addition to pots near your pool or spa, combining with other succulents and some ornamental grasses to create an attractive, low-maintenance landscape. In suitable regions (mostly the southwest) they can be grown as shrubs, reaching heights of up to 2 feet (60 cm) with leaves 4 inches long.
08 Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos flavida)
Its common name, kangaroo foot, gives a hint as to the origins of this popular perennial plant: Australia. This plant and its hybrids have a slender and graceful appearance, and their flowers are a real attraction to kangaroo paws. Protruding and arching like a kangaroo’s paw, the perennials come in a wonderful variety and colors, including ‘Bush Gold’, ‘Bush Emerald’ and ‘Bush Lantern’ (bright yellow).
09 Martha Washington Geranium (Regal pelargonium)
Nothing beats the hybrid varieties known as Martha Washington or Lady Washington geraniums for beautiful, vibrant color that lasts from spring through fall. Martha Washington geraniums typically bloom for only about six weeks in late spring. Marthas sometimes look like exotic tropical flowers and orchids. Like many hybrids, Lady Washington pelargonium has great cultivar names such as Raspberry Swirl, Imperial and Excaliber.
10 Proteas (Banksia)
These orange tropical beauties are Proteas (Banksia). Banksias are native to Australia. Proteas are often hard and prickly to the touch, but are hardy and long-lasting. Add other tropical plants such as hibiscus, hemp and low-growing palms to your proteas to create a tropical paradise. Proteas can grow in rocky, nutrient-poor areas and should not be fertilized.