Surrounding your pool with the right mix of plants helps soften hard edges, create natural shade, and block unwanted views. Trees, shrubs, flowering plants, and tropical foliage all bring different benefits, from visual impact to practical function.
However, not every plant works well in a poolside environment. You have to choose plants with non-invasive roots, minimal leaf drop, and some resistance to chlorine or salt. Careful selection will help keep the water clean, protect surrounding structures, and ensure that your landscaping holds up over time.
Here are low maintenance plants for around the pool that offer a smart balance of beauty, durability, and low maintenance, all while transforming your pool area into a more private, polished, and enjoyable space:
1. Majesty Palm
Elevate your poolside into a lush retreat with the dramatic presence of majesty palm trees.
With its towering height and sweeping fronds, this perennial plant offers a stunning visual centerpiece while casting cooling shade and enhancing privacy for lounging spaces.
For variety and texture, consider other pool-friendly palms like the compact Sago Palm, graceful Queen Palm, hardy Windmill Palm, and feathery Foxtail Palm. Together, they infuse the area with tropical charm and laid-back luxury.
2. Echeveria
Echeveria adds charm and sophistication to poolside spaces with its compact form and stunning rosettes in shades of blue, lavender, pink, and gray.
Built for sunny spots, this drought-tolerant succulent thrives in the heat and complements the cool tones of pool water with elegance.
Whether planted in decorative pots or directly in the ground, Echeveria adapts easily to your landscape design. Just be sure to place it where it receives ample sunlight to preserve its vivid colors and sculptural beauty.
3. Agave
Agave brings a sculptural, desert-inspired elegance to poolside with bold, spiky form and evergreen foliage.
Suitable for hot, dry climates, this hardy succulent thrives with little water, resists salt exposure, and keeps the area tidy by not shedding leaves.
Its striking texture and year-round presence make agave a low-maintenance yet eye-catching addition to sun-soaked pool environments. Moreover, it offers enduring visual interest and a touch of rugged sophistication even without flowers.
4. Mondo Grass
Mondo grass makes a versatile addition to any poolside space, serving as both a ground cover and a striking standalone accent.
Its dense clumps of slender, arching evergreen leaves create a rich, textured carpet that adds depth and subtle color to the landscape.
Mondo grass flourishes in both sun and shade. For a lighter green hue, plant it in sunny spots. For a deeper, darker tone, tuck it into shadier areas.
5. Bird of Paradise
Bird of paradise is a striking plant that brings tropical touches with its massive, glossy, banana-like leaves stretching several feet long.
While the foliage makes a bold statement, it’s the vivid orange sepals and blue petals of the flower that truly captivate.
Bird of paradise resists shedding, handles splashes with ease, and thrives in dry conditions. Its bold look and practical qualities make it a standout addition to any sun-drenched outdoor space.
6. Fountain Grass
Does your poolside feels static or flat? Fountain grass can breathe life into the space with its graceful, arching foliage and feathery plumes that sway gently in the breeze.
Because it shoots up above the pool’s surface, this ornamental grass easily adds movement, shade, texture, and a touch of serenity to the landscape.
Tough and adaptable, fountain grass handles heat, drought, and poor soil with ease. It remains visually appealing through the growing season and may stay evergreen in warmer regions.
7. Hinoki Cypress
For natural privacy and year-round beauty, consider planting an evergreen conifer like the Hinoki Cypress near your pool.
With the potential to reach up to 75 feet tall, Hinoki Cypress forms a living screen that adds seclusion while its soft, fine-textured needles and elegant branching bring a touch of grace to the landscape.
Its lush green foliage remains vibrant through all seasons, providing a constant backdrop that softens the look of surrounding hardscape.
The contrast between its airy texture and the clean lines of pool decks or tiles can add depth and visual interest to your outdoor retreat.
8. Zebra Grass
Zebra grass brings bold, exotic flair to poolside landscapes with its distinctive horizontal stripes that mimic a zebra’s pattern.
Its tall, arching blades sway gently in the breeze, adding movement and a lively rhythm to the surroundings.
Silver-white or pinkish plumes rise above the striped foliage from late summer into early fall. Let it stand through winter to enjoy its striking form and texture year-round, then cut it back in early spring to refresh its vibrant display.
9. Creeping Jenny
Creeping jenny ground cover brings a vibrant, soft touch to poolside landscapes with its dense, carpet-like growth and cheerful green leaves.
Creeping jenny not only adds a lush, inviting texture underfoot but also helps manage soil erosion on slopes or near water features.
This versatile plant also does well in containers, where its cascading foliage can spill over edges for added visual interest.
Whether on the ground or in pots, creeping jenny adds natural beauty and a soothing, grounded feel to your pool area.
10. Banana Tree
The banana tree makes an excellent choice for rapid growth and lush coverage around your pool. Its massive, broad leaves create a natural privacy screen while offering shade and a tropical vibe.
With their bold foliage and potential harvest, banana trees combine visual impact with functional appeal in any poolside paradise.
You might even enjoy fresh bananas straight from your backyard if you opt for fruit-bearing varieties.
11. Arborvitae
Arborvitae is an excellent choice for poolside privacy, especially where space is limited.
With its tall, narrow growth habit and dense, evergreen foliage, it forms a lush, vertical screen that adds color and structure without crowding your landscape.
Though it tolerates some shade, arborvitae thrives in bright light, which encourages fuller, more compact growth.
Light pruning throughout the season helps maintain its shape and health by removing any dead or diseased branches.
12. Lemongrass
Keep annoying insects at bay by planting lemongrass around your pool.
Rich in citronella oil, lemongrass is one of the plants that repel mosquitoes, offering a natural line of defense while enhancing your outdoor experience.
Beyond its bug-repelling qualities, lemongrass adds beauty and ambiance with its citrusy fragrance and elegant, arching foliage. Its gentle rustling in the breeze brings a calming soundtrack to your poolside retreat.
13. Frangipani
Frangipani can add a luxurious, tropical feel to your poolside with its exotic, sweetly spiced fragrance and vibrant summer and spring blooms.
Its sculptural form and glossy leaves enhance the aesthetic, making it a standout choice for creating a serene, resort-like atmosphere.
This plant prefers dry conditions and well-drained soil, especially in containers. To keep it healthy, water only during the growing seasons and ensure pots don’t retain excess moisture.
14. Canna Lilies
Canna lilies bring a bold, tropical flair to poolside gardens with their large, lush leaves and brilliant blooms that last through the growing season.
Their vivid flowers keep the area around vibrant and eye-catching, making them an excellent choice for maintaining color around your pool.
With a wide range of cultivars available, you can select canna lilies that either harmonize with your pool’s palette or provide a dramatic contrast against the surrounding greenery. Their exotic appearance instantly elevates the space into a resort-like retreat.
15. Privet
Reaching up to 15 feet tall, privet’s dense, glossy dark green foliage can help to blocks unwanted views muffle ambient noise.
Privet adds seasonal charm with fragrant white flowers in spring, followed by small berries in summer or fall. Plus, it adapts well to both full sun and partial shade.
Keep Privet watered during dry spells to maintain its lush appearance and ensure it continues to serve as a living barrier around your pool area.
16. Japanese Maples
Japanese maples bring elegance and artistry to poolside landscapes with their graceful structure and finely cut leaves that shift through vibrant shades of purple, red, green, and orange. Their striking presence makes them ideal focal points, effortlessly enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any outdoor space.
Whether you opt for a tall variety to provide dappled shade or a compact form for smaller areas, these trees adapt beautifully. Their roots remain non-invasive, making them a smart, stylish choice for planting near pools without worry.
17. Fountain Bamboo
Fountain bamboo, which doubles as a potted plant for porch, is an ideal choice for maintaining a clean, polished look around your pool while providing privacy and a serene atmosphere.
Its dense, upright growth forms a natural screen up to 10 feet tall without becoming invasive, making it perfect for confined spaces.
Unlike more demanding plants, fountain bamboo requires little maintenance to stay attractive. Its graceful canes and rustling foliage not only soften harsh lines but also offer soothing sound that helps drown out unwanted noise.