There’s not much better on a hot summer day than relaxing outside by a backyard pool! With the right landscaping, you can make your backyard pool even more enjoyable by surrounding it with plants that create that resort feel.
Today, I am sharing 10 plants that are perfect to grow around a pool. From tropical to classic, these plants will grow well in sunny lansdscapes and be easy to maintain.
A few years ago, we ripped out the landscaping around our small backyard pool. It was way overgrown and didn’t provide the lush feel we were wanting.
After quite a bit of research, I found a variety of plants that would add both color and texture, and also not require a lot of maintenance.
Taking care of the pool itself is enough work! You want your landscaping to be easy to maintain but still vibrant and colorful.
Before starting out on your own pool landscaping renovation, you’ll want to identify your planting zone. This will tell you what plants will do best where you live. You can look up your zone by zip code here.
Also, pay attention to any parts of your pool landscaping that may get shade. Not every pool is surrounded by full sun all day, so you’ll want to choose plants that meet the light needs your space has.
Great Shrubs to Plant Around a Pool
1. Daylily
Zones 3–9 | Blooms late spring–summer
Daylilies are the workhorse of the flower world—resilient, colorful, and practically care-free.
They thrive in sun or light shade, multiply over time, and flower in cheerful yellows, reds, pinks, and more.
I plant mine by the pool edge in clumps for ongoing color and divide them when they get too big.
2. Ornamental Grass
Zones 4–9 | Blooms early summer–fall
For texture and vertical interest without the mess, I love ornamental grasses!
Their tall, plumy stalks sway beautifully and look crisp throughout the season. Some like the Pink Muhly will even develop a bit of color as the summer wears on.
Ornamental grass is ideal for modern or natural-style gardens. It tolerates full sun, wind, and even a bit of pool water splash. Plus, it stays neat and vertical, so it won’t flop over into your pool area.
For larger spaces, Karl Foerster is a great variety to try. If you have a smaller space and are looking for a shorter option, try the Dwarf Hamilton grass instead (that’s the kind I have around my pool!)
3. Russian Sage
Zones 4–9 | Blooms mid–late summer
Want that breezy, Mediterranean feel? Russian Sage is your go-to.
The silvery foliage and soft purple flowers bloom for months, attracting bees and butterflies while asking for almost nothing in return.
It loves sun and dry soil, making it a perfect choice if your poolside garden tends to get hot.
Bonus: it smells amazing when brushed against.
4. Panicle Hydrangea
Zones 3–8 | Blooms mid–late summer
I adore hydrangeas! But until a few years ago, they weren’t a great option for a full-sun spot.
Panicle hydrangeas are a game-changer though for pool landscapes!
Unlike traditional hydrangeas, they thrive in full sun and bloom like crazy from summer into fall.
Varieties like ‘Limelight’ or ‘Vanilla Strawberry’ feature huge, cone-shaped flowers that shift from green to creamy white to pink.
They’re low-maintenance, and their bold blooms give that lush, garden-party feel by the water.
I have several dwarf Limelight varieties around my pool (Little Lime) and absolutely love them.
5. Spirea
Zones 4–8 | Blooms late spring–mid-summer
Spirea is the unsung hero of sun‑loving shrubs—compact, colorful, and zero maintenance. Plus the foliage often turns a pretty bronze or red in the fall.
It’s a fantastic border shrub around patios or walkways, and it holds up beautifully to the reflected heat from pool decks.
It is deciduous, so be sure to pair it with other evergreen plants to help provide interest in your poolscape year-round.
6. Boxwood
Zones 5–9 | Evergreen
Boxwoods can get a bad wrap in the gardening community. It’s true they are everywhere and sometimes not very inspiring.
But for a clean, classic look around your pool, boxwood is hard to beat!
Use it to define edges, anchor corners, or plant in containers flanking a walkway.
It’s evergreen, easy to shape, and creates a beautiful contrast against flowering plants or ornamental grasses. Best of all? It’s not messy, so you won’t be fishing leaves out of your pool all summer.
Be sure to look for dwarf varieties, like ‘Winter Gem’, ‘Green Velvet’, or ‘Little Missy’ if you’re working with a small space.
7. Canna Lily
Zones 7–10 (or dig bulbs in cooler zones)
For instant tropical impact, go for canna lilies. Their bold leaves and bright red/orange/yellow blooms scream vacation!
They need more water than most other plants on this list, but they will still do well in sunny locations.
They provide a perfect screen for covering up unsightly fencing or pool pumps–that’s how they are planted in my own poolscape!
In cooler areas, dig and store bulbs until next year. Here in my zone 7a yard, the hardy variety ‘Australia’ survives through the winter in the ground after being cut back and covered with a thick layer of mulch.
8. Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo)
Zones 5–10 (with winter mulch)
Yes, you can grow banana plants even outside the tropics! Musa basjoo is the hardiest variety, and it adds instant drama and movement to your pool area.
It can grow up to 10 feet in one season and gives you that jungly resort feel in a hurry. Just be sure to mulch heavily in cold climates — or grow it in a container and bring it in for winter.
If you plant it in the ground, watch out for the “pups” that shoot up from the base of the tree. This is how the plant spreads, and those shoots should be removed if you don’t want multiple trees in your yard!
But for a tropical feel outside of the tropics, the hardy banana is your best bet.
9. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Zones 5–9 | Blooms late summer–fall
This hardy hibiscus brings massive tropical blooms to your yard — no island vacation required.
Flowers appear in pink, white, purple, or blue and last well into fall.
Use it as a flowering hedge or a corner filler for big, showy impact. It’s heat-tolerant, drought-resistant, and just gets better each year!
10. Sunshine Ligustrum
Zones 6–10 | Evergreen foliage
Need a pop of color without the blooms? Sunshine Ligustrum offers year-round brightness with its sunny yellow foliage.
And you can rest easy knowing it’s non-invasive, like it’s relative the Chinese Privet.
Sunshine is compact, low-maintenance, and doesn’t flower — which means no messy petals in your pool. Plant it as a border, hedge, or backdrop to make your other plants shine.
Poolside Planting Tips
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Group thoughtfully: Pair bold foliage with softer blooms to create balance.
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Think splash-safe: All of these plants handle pool-side spatter or chlorine better than many others.
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Water wisely: Most are drought-tough once rooted, but cannas and bananas appreciate regular moisture.
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Give space: Ornamental grasses and shrubs like boxwood can be sheared lightly in spring to stay fresh.
Final Thoughts on Poolside Plants
Designing a garden around your pool doesn’t have to be high-maintenance. These plants are beautiful, resilient, and thrive in sunny spots, giving you a lush, colorful landscape without hours of upkeep.
Whether you lean classic, modern, or tropical, there’s something here to bring your outdoor space to life.
Start with a few favorites, and let your poolside garden grow year by year!
You may enjoy these other garden and outdoor posts:
12 Best Perennial Plants for a Low-Maintenance Garden
Budget DIY Patio Refresh : Transform your Backyard on a Dime