There are a variety of plants you can use around your pool to enhance its beauty, not to mention that the wrong plants can negatively affect your pool and the amount of effort you have to put into cleaning it, so choosing the right plants is vital. Here are some tips to help you choose the best plants.
Plan Your Plants and Pool at the Same Time
Choosing your plants in the design phase is preferable to waiting until your pool is in the ground. With this method, you can maximize the space you have to work with and get a sense of what the finished product will look like. You can also determine where to place your plants to achieve the best outcome.
Pool-friendly plants
You must choose plants that are pool-friendly. But why? Several plants and tree varieties shed leaves that will end up in your pool. In addition, many plants cannot survive exposure to saltwater or chlorine. By selecting just any plants, without investigating their tolerability to pool environments, you may find that they struggle to grow or worse, die.
Plants that can withstand wind, be sprayed with chlorine or salt periodically, and grow in semi-shade, as well as full sun, are good choices. Because pool areas have high humidity levels and relentless reflections from the sun, your plants must be hardy to survive. Pool-friendly plants are low maintenance and don’t require regular trimming.
You can save money and time by choosing the right plants from the beginning instead of just picking ones you like, but you may struggle to identify pool-friendly plants if you’re not a green thumb. Consider the following factors when making your selection:
Large robust leaves on plants
Instead of small-leaved plants, choose plants with large leaves that do not shed excessively. The leaves in your pool make the water dirty and if they are not removed quickly after falling into the water, they will clog up your skimmer basket and start sinking to the bottom and decomposing, which will throw your pool’s pH levels off and if not rectified will result in cloudy water. Cloudy water is a problem that requires extra chemicals and time to fix, and if it happens often, it may become a chore you dislike.
Plants for Your Pool Should Match Your Home’s Design Style
Here are some styles to inspire you
Design by Palm Springs
You simply can’t go wrong with the Palm Springs look if you want a modern, trend-inspired pool patio. Cacti and succulents are perfect for this style. Plants of this species are sturdy and can be placed near a pool with little impact on their health. Avoid planting them directly near the water or in high traffic areas, as they could injure swimmers and walkers. They often have sharp spikes that can puncture skin.
Native Australian Touch
Do you want to grow your own plants? Indigenous Australian plants thrive in Australia’s climate. Check out these options:
- Asplenium australasicum (Bird’s nest fern)
- Macrozamia (Cycad)
- Tree of grass (Xanthorrhoea australis)
- The SYZYGIUM
Plants that grow in tropical oases
A pool nestled in a lush tropical garden makes you feel like you’re on vacation. Here are some great ways to replicate it:
- The giant bird of paradise
- Herbs
- Isocordyline
- Agave
Modern Style
Simple plants with unique foliage complement this design and complement sleek, modern homes well. To achieve this look, try these plants:
- Jasmine Star
- Maura
- Agathocystis
- Aristophanes
Regardless of which plants you choose, the ones we’ve discussed above are all hardy and require very little care once they are established.
Plants such as these should not be placed around your pool
Plants containing pollen
It is a given that pollen will blow into your pool to some extent, but you should avoid placing these types of plants around your pool to avoid excessive amounts. It can be difficult to clean up the sticky residue left behind by some.
Plants that bear berries, flowers, or fruit
This type of plant looks nice, but is detrimental to the quality of your water, not to mention that it can stain your pool surface. With these nearby, you’ll need to clean your pool more often than you normally would. To minimize the possibility of these plant types affecting your pool, move them away from your pool and keep them cut back as needed.
A plant with an invasive root system
Your pool shell, the plumbing, and the paving can be damaged by plants with invasive root systems. These plants should be avoided:
- A tree with umbrellas
- The bamboo
- The rubber tree
- Trees that shed their leaves
New plants need time to settle in
Despite the fact that most pool-friendly plants require little maintenance, you should still give them some time to settle in and establish before you cut back on watering. If you have planted seedlings, water them daily for around a month, and do not expose them to full sunlight throughout the day, otherwise, they will wilt and die. After a few months, the plants will become self-sufficient and you will only need to water them if it hasn’t rained.
Consider These Things If You Have a Saltwater Pool
If You Have a Chlorinated Swimming Pool, Look for
Acalyphas, a potted golden palm, or an Erigeron daisy have large leathery leaves.
There are hundreds of pool-worthy plants available, so the most challenging part is choosing one. There are some popular choices, but ultimately it’s up to you to choose which one goes in your pool area. Choosing plants that are going to complement your backyard is best done in collaboration with your local nursery provider.
Get in touch with Swimming Pools Brisbane if you are considering a pool for your home or have any questions. We are pool specialists and would love to assist you.
