A pool without landscaping is just a hole full of water. The right plants, hardscaping, and design choices transform your backyard into a space you actually want to spend time in. The wrong choices create ongoing maintenance headaches, clogged filters, and cracked decking.
This guide covers what works, what to avoid, and how to plan your pool landscaping so it looks great and stays practical for years.
Best Plants for Pool Areas
The ideal pool-area plant checks a few boxes: low litter (minimal leaf drop, flowers, or seed pods), non-invasive root systems, tolerance for reflected heat and pool splash, and year-round visual interest.
Top Picks
Ornamental grasses are some of the best pool-area plants. Fountain grass, blue fescue, and Karl Foerster feather reed grass sway in the breeze, rarely drop debris, and have contained root systems. They add movement and texture that softens the hard lines of a pool.
Succulents and agaves work beautifully in hot, dry climates. They require almost no water, never drop leaves into the pool, and create a clean modern look. Pair different sizes and shapes for visual interest.
Palms are the classic pool plant for good reason. Queen palms, pygmy date palms, and Mediterranean fan palms give a tropical feel without aggressive roots. Stick with cleaner palm varieties since some drop a lot of fruit and fronds.
Evergreen shrubs like boxwood, podocarpus, and Japanese yew provide year-round greenery and work well as low hedges or privacy borders. They hold their leaves and rarely make a mess.
Bird of paradise plants create a bold tropical statement. They are tough, drought-tolerant once established, and their stiff leaves do not blow into the pool.
Lavender and rosemary add fragrance and color while attracting pollinators. They thrive in the reflected heat near pools and need little water once established.
Plants to Avoid Near Pools
Some plants look great but will make your life miserable near a pool.
Large deciduous trees are the biggest offenders. Oaks, maples, sweetgums, and cottonwoods drop massive amounts of leaves, seeds, and pollen directly into the pool. You will be skimming constantly and your filter will clog faster.
Fruit trees attract bees and wasps, drop fruit that stains decking, and create slippery messes on pool surfaces. Keep them well away from the pool area.
Bamboo spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes that can damage pool plumbing and decking. Even clumping varieties can get out of control near pool infrastructure.
Bougainvillea is gorgeous but drops thorny bracts everywhere, including into the pool. The thorns also make barefoot walking around the pool unpleasant.
Trees with invasive roots like willows, silver maples, and ficus can crack pool shells, lift decking, and invade plumbing lines. Keep any large tree at least 15 to 20 feet from the pool structure.
Hardscaping Materials
The area around your pool takes a beating from water, chemicals, sun, and foot traffic. Choose materials that handle all of it.
Pool Deck Options
Concrete pavers are the most popular pool deck material for good reason. They are slip-resistant, come in countless colors and patterns, handle freeze-thaw cycles well, and individual pavers can be replaced if one cracks. Expect to pay $15 to $30 per square foot installed.
Poured concrete with a brushed, stamped, or exposed aggregate finish is durable and cost-effective at $8 to $20 per square foot. Stamped concrete can mimic stone or brick at a lower price point. The downside is that large poured sections can crack, and repairs are more noticeable than with pavers.
Natural stone like travertine, bluestone, and flagstone looks stunning but costs $20 to $50 per square foot installed. Travertine stays cool underfoot, which is a big advantage in hot climates. Be aware that some natural stones are sensitive to salt if you have a saltwater pool.
Composite decking works well for raised pool decks and surrounds, especially for above-ground pools. Modern composites resist fading, staining, and mold. They stay cooler than wood in direct sun but still get warm. Budget $25 to $45 per square foot.
Avoid smooth tile, polished stone, or sealed surfaces around the pool. They become dangerously slippery when wet. Always choose textured or tumbled finishes in wet areas.
Coping
Coping is the cap material on the edge of the pool wall. It provides a finished look and a grip edge for swimmers. Bullnose pavers, natural stone coping, and poured-in-place concrete are the most common options. Coping should have a slight overhang over the water and a non-slip texture.
Privacy Screening
Nobody wants to feel like they are swimming in a fishbowl. Here are the most effective privacy solutions for pool areas.
Evergreen hedges create a natural privacy wall. Arborvitae, Leyland cypress, privet, and podocarpus grow tall and dense. Plan ahead because most hedges take 2 to 4 years to reach full screening height.
Fence with climbing plants gives you immediate privacy from the fence with added beauty from vines like jasmine, climbing roses, or evergreen clematis. Make sure your fence meets local pool barrier codes, which typically require a minimum of 48 inches with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Pergolas and shade sails provide overhead screening from second-story neighbors. They also create useful shade.
Decorative screen panels in wood, metal, or composite materials provide instant privacy with a modern look. They install quickly and can be repositioned as needed.
Lighting
Good pool lighting extends your swimming hours and dramatically changes the mood of your backyard after dark. Our best pool lights guide covers the underwater options, but landscape lighting is equally important.
Path lights along walkways keep things safe and guide guests to the pool area. Solar-powered options are easy to install and cost nothing to run.
Uplighting behind plants and trees creates dramatic silhouettes and shadows. Place low-voltage LED spots at the base of palms, ornamental grasses, or architectural plants.
String lights over the pool area or along a pergola create a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. Use commercial-grade LED string lights rated for outdoor use.
Downlighting from trees or structures mimics moonlight and provides soft, even illumination. Mount fixtures high in trees pointing down for a natural look.
Use LED fixtures throughout. They last longer, use less electricity, and come in a range of color temperatures from warm to cool.
Drainage
Poor drainage around a pool ruins landscaping, damages structures, and creates safety hazards. Get this right before you plant anything.
All hardscaping should slope away from the pool at a minimum of 1 percent grade (about 1/8 inch per foot). You never want rainwater, irrigation runoff, or muddy water flowing into the pool.
Install French drains or channel drains in low spots where water collects. Pay special attention to areas between the pool deck and any raised planting beds.
Raised planting beds are better than ground-level beds next to the pool. They prevent soil and mulch from washing onto the deck and into the pool during heavy rain.
Use gravel or river rock in planting beds near the pool instead of wood mulch. Mulch floats into the pool, breaks down into organic matter that feeds algae, and stains pool surfaces. Gravel stays put.
Shade Structures
Shade is not just about comfort. It also reduces water evaporation, lowers chemical consumption, and protects swimmers from UV exposure.
Pergolas are the most popular shade structure near pools. They provide filtered shade that still lets in some light. Add a retractable canopy or shade cloth for adjustable coverage. Budget $3,000 to $15,000 depending on size and materials.
Shade sails are a cost-effective alternative at $200 to $2,000. They create a modern, architectural look and can be repositioned seasonally. Make sure mounting points are structurally sound.
Pavilions and cabanas provide full shade and weather protection. They are the most expensive option ($5,000 to $30,000 and up) but also the most functional, especially if you include a ceiling fan, lighting, and a seating area.
Position shade structures on the west or southwest side of the pool to block the hottest afternoon sun.
Design Tips
Create Zones
Break the pool area into functional zones: a sunbathing area, a shaded lounging area, a dining space, and the pool itself. Use different hardscaping materials, elevation changes, or planting borders to define each zone. This makes the space feel larger and more intentional. For more on planning your full pool project, check our swimming pool building and planning guide.
Think About Maintenance
Every plant you add is a plant you have to water, prune, and clean up after. Lean toward fewer, larger plants rather than many small ones. Group plants with similar water needs together. Install drip irrigation to reduce your workload.
Plan for the Long Term
Trees and shrubs grow. That small palm you planted three feet from the pool edge will be ten feet wide in five years. Research the mature size of every plant and give everything room to grow. If your pool budget is still in planning phases, our guide on how much a pool costs can help you allocate funds for landscaping too.
Match the Architecture
Your pool landscaping should feel like it belongs with your house. Modern homes pair well with clean lines, minimal plantings, and geometric hardscaping. Traditional homes look better with natural stone, lush plantings, and curved borders.
Do Not Forget the Practical Stuff
Leave clear paths for equipment access. Your pool tech needs to reach the equipment pad, and you need access to clean the filter and check the pump. Do not plant anything that will block equipment ventilation or grow over plumbing access points.
For a complete seasonal readiness plan that includes landscaping prep, see our pool season prep checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far should trees be planted from a pool?
Keep trees at least 10 to 15 feet from the pool edge as a minimum. For large shade trees, 20 feet or more is better. The distance depends on the mature size of the tree, its root system, and how much debris it drops. As a rough rule, if the canopy will overhang the pool at maturity, it is too close.
What is the best ground cover around a pool?
For non-plant ground cover, concrete pavers, travertine, and textured poured concrete are the best options because they provide good drainage and slip resistance. For living ground cover between pavers or in borders, creeping thyme, dymondia, and blue star creeper are low-growing, low-litter options that handle foot traffic and pool splash.
How do I keep mulch from blowing into the pool?
Switch to gravel, river rock, or decomposed granite in beds near the pool. If you prefer organic mulch, use heavier shredded hardwood rather than lightweight pine bark, and install a border or edging that is higher than the mulch level. Keep mulch beds at least 3 to 4 feet from the pool edge.
Can I put a fire pit near a pool?
Yes, and it looks fantastic. Keep the fire pit at least 10 feet from the pool edge and any structures. Use a gas fire pit rather than wood-burning to avoid ash blowing into the pool. Make sure the area around the fire pit has non-combustible hardscaping and that the fire pit meets local building codes.
How much does pool landscaping cost?
Basic landscaping with plants, mulch, and minor hardscaping runs $3,000 to $10,000. A full landscape design with pavers, lighting, privacy screening, and mature plantings typically costs $15,000 to $50,000 or more depending on the scope. The best approach is to do it in phases if budget is tight, starting with the hardscaping and adding plantings over time.