7 Best Natural Poolside Plants for Eco-Friendly Landscaping That Save Water & Attract Wildlife

Creating a stunning poolside oasis doesn’t have to come at the environment’s expense. The right plants can transform your pool area into a lush, sustainable retreat while reducing your carbon footprint and maintenance needs.

In this guide, you’ll discover seven exceptional plants that thrive in poolside conditions while supporting your eco-friendly landscaping goals—from drought-tolerant species that minimize water consumption to native varieties that attract local pollinators and create natural harmony around your swimming space.

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7 Best Natural Poolside Plants for Eco-Friendly Landscaping

1. Lavender

Lavender thrives in sunny, well-drained poolside environments and requires minimal watering once established. This Mediterranean native repels mosquitoes and other pool-disrupting insects naturally with its aromatic oils. You’ll appreciate how its purple blooms attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies while adding a calming fragrance to your outdoor space. Varieties like Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula dentata are particularly suited for poolside conditions due to their drought tolerance and compact growth habit.

2. Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses create stunning visual movement around pools while requiring very little maintenance. These versatile plants, such as Muhly Grass or Feather Reed Grass, develop extensive root systems that prevent soil erosion around your pool deck. You’ll find they need minimal water once established and rarely require fertilization, making them perfect eco-friendly choices. Their natural filtration abilities help capture dust and pool chemicals that might otherwise run off into local watersheds.

3. Agave

Agave plants deliver dramatic architectural elements to poolside landscapes with their bold, sculptural forms. These succulents store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, allowing them to thrive in hot, sunny pool environments without frequent irrigation. You’ll benefit from their extremely low maintenance needs—no deadheading, pruning, or fertilizing required. Species like Agave americana or Agave attenuata create striking focal points while preventing erosion on slopes near pool areas.

4. Sedum

Sedum varieties offer incredible drought tolerance and shallow root systems that won’t damage pool infrastructure. These succulents thrive in the reflected heat from pool decking and concrete surrounds that would stress most other plants. You’ll love how their star-shaped flowers attract vital pollinators throughout the growing season. Varieties like Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and creeping sedums create living carpets that reduce runoff and filter pollutants before they reach waterways.

5. Native Ferns

Native ferns bring lush, cooling greenery to partially shaded poolside areas while supporting local ecosystems. These ancient plants naturally filter air pollutants and create microhabitats for beneficial insects that keep pest populations in check. You’ll appreciate how they thrive with minimal intervention, requiring only occasional watering during establishment. Species like Southern Shield Fern or Christmas Fern develop extensive underground rhizomes that naturally control erosion around pool edges.

6. Rosemary

Rosemary serves double-duty as both a culinary herb and an excellent poolside plant with natural mosquito-repellent properties. This Mediterranean evergreen thrives in hot, sunny conditions and tolerates chlorine spray from pool activities. You’ll find its aromatic oils create a pleasant sensory experience while deterring unwanted insects from your swimming area. Trailing varieties like ‘Prostratus’ cascade beautifully over retaining walls, while upright forms create natural privacy screens.

7. Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Coneflowers bring vibrant color and wildlife benefits to eco-friendly pool landscapes with their drought-resistant nature. These native perennials develop deep taproots that access groundwater, reducing irrigation needs once established. You’ll enjoy watching butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds visit their nectar-rich blooms throughout summer. Their seed heads provide natural food sources for birds during winter months, extending their ecological benefits year-round while adding visual interest to your poolside retreat.

Choosing Drought-Tolerant Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses are perfect additions to your poolside landscape, offering movement, texture, and sustainability with minimal water requirements.

Mexican Feather Grass for Soft Texture and Movement

Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) creates a captivating poolside feature with its gentle swaying in the breeze. This eco-friendly grass grows 2-3 feet tall and requires almost no maintenance once established. Its fine, hair-like texture adds a soft, dreamy quality that contrasts beautifully with poolside hardscaping while thriving in the harsh conditions around pools.

Blue Fescue for Year-Round Color and Low Maintenance

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) delivers striking blue-gray foliage that complements pool water colors throughout all seasons. Growing just 1-2 feet tall and wide, this compact grass works perfectly for borders or groundcover in your poolside landscape. Its exceptional drought tolerance, preference for well-drained soil, and ability to thrive in both full sun and partial shade make it an ideal low-maintenance choice for eco-conscious pool owners.

Adding Native Flowering Perennials for Pollinators

Native flowering perennials not only enhance your poolside’s beauty but also create a sustainable ecosystem by attracting beneficial pollinators. These plants require less maintenance while providing ecological benefits that synthetic landscaping simply can’t match.

Black-Eyed Susan for Vibrant Summer Color

Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) transform poolside areas with their golden-yellow petals and distinctive dark centers. These drought-tolerant natives thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established. Their bright blooms attract bees and butterflies throughout summer, creating a vibrant, buzzing ecosystem around your pool while standing up beautifully to heat and reflected light.

Coneflower for Drought Resistance and Wildlife Support

Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) offer remarkable durability and ecological value beside pools. Their distinctive purple blooms transition to golden-brown seedheads that attract birds and beneficial insects. These tough perennials withstand drought conditions and poor soils, making them perfect for poolside environments where water conservation matters. Plant in full sun to partial shade for years of low-maintenance beauty and wildlife support.

Incorporating Water-Wise Succulents and Cacti

Agave for Architectural Interest and Minimal Water Needs

Agave plants create striking focal points around your pool with their dramatic, architectural silhouettes. Their thick, fleshy leaves store water efficiently, allowing them to thrive in hot, sunny poolside conditions with minimal irrigation. Available in various sizes and shapes, agaves add visual interest while requiring almost no maintenance once established. They perform exceptionally well in poor soil conditions, provided there’s good drainage to prevent root rot.

Sedum for Ground Cover and Water Conservation

Sedum (stonecrop) excels as a drought-tolerant ground cover that spreads quickly around pool edges. Its succulent leaves store moisture, enabling it to survive dry conditions while acting as a natural mulch that retains soil moisture. This low-growing plant suppresses weeds, prevents erosion, and stabilizes soil—all while requiring virtually no supplemental watering once established. Sedum also provides natural insulation, keeping soil cooler during hot weather and creating a polished, low-maintenance perimeter.

Other Water-Wise Succulents and Cacti

Expand your poolside plant palette with additional water-efficient options that thrive in sunny, reflected-heat environments:

• Creeping Succulents: Sempervivum (hens and chicks) and Delosperma (ice plant) excel at filling gaps between pavers or covering slopes. These spreading plants create attractive ground cover with minimal water requirements.
• Ornamental Cacti: Varieties like Opuntia (prickly pear) and Echinocactus (golden barrel cactus) make distinctive statements with their unique forms. Their specialized adaptations for water storage make them perfect for hot, dry poolside conditions.

Soil and Maintenance Considerations

Creating the ideal growing environment ensures your poolside succulents and cacti thrive with minimal attention:

1. Proper Drainage: Incorporate porous aggregates into your soil to maintain the balanced air-to-water ratio these plants require. This prevents root rot and ensures plant health during occasional rainfall.
2. Strategic Placement: Most succulents and cacti prefer full sun exposure, but some varieties like Sedum ternatum perform better with partial shade. Consider your pool’s specific microclimates when positioning plants.
3. Minimal Care Routine: While these plants require little attention, occasional trimming of overgrown or damaged foliage maintains their appearance. A light watering during extended dry periods may be necessary for optimum health.

By incorporating these water-wise succulents and cacti in your poolside landscaping, you’ll create an eco-friendly outdoor environment that conserves water while delivering striking visual impact with virtually no maintenance requirements.

Selecting Palm Varieties for Tropical Poolside Appeal

When creating a tropical oasis around your pool, palm varieties can instantly transform the space into an exotic retreat while maintaining eco-friendly principles.

Windmill Palm for Cold-Hardy Tropical Aesthetics

Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) stands out as the perfect tropical option for cooler climates, surviving temperatures as low as 10°F (-12°C). Its compact, fan-shaped fronds create dramatic shadows on pool decks while requiring minimal watering once established. You’ll appreciate how this versatile palm maintains its evergreen structure year-round, adding consistent tropical appeal to your poolside even in USDA zones 7-10.

Sago Palm for Compact Evergreen Structure

The Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) delivers impressive tropical aesthetics despite not being a true palm. Its symmetrical crown of glossy, dark green fronds creates architectural interest around pools without dropping messy debris into the water. This slow-growing plant thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions and requires little maintenance, making it ideal for pool areas in USDA zones 8-11 where space conservation matters.

Planting Aromatic Herbs for Functionality

Rosemary for Fragrance and Culinary Use

Rosemary thrives in well-drained soil areas near your pool, preferably in containers to manage moisture levels. This drought-tolerant herb serves double duty—releasing a refreshing pine-like fragrance while providing fresh herbs for poolside meals. Plant rosemary in full sun locations away from splash zones, as excessive moisture can cause root rot despite its Mediterranean heritage.

Lavender for Scent and Natural Pest Repellent

Lavender creates a sensory delight around pool areas with its soothing purple blooms and mosquito-repelling properties. Plant these drought-resistant perennials in sunny, well-drained spots where their fragrant oils can naturally deter unwanted insects. For optimal performance, choose heat-tolerant varieties like Spanish or French lavender that withstand poolside reflective heat while adding sophisticated texture to your eco-friendly landscape.

Using Native Shrubs for Privacy and Shade

Native shrubs offer natural barriers around your pool while supporting local ecosystems. These versatile plants provide privacy, create shade, and require less maintenance than exotic alternatives.

Osmanthus

Osmanthus shrubs excel as evergreen privacy screens for poolside areas. Their dense growth habit creates effective natural barriers while their fragrant blooms add sensory appeal to your outdoor space. Varieties like Fragrant Tea Olive and Delavay Osmanthus adapt to various climates, making them versatile choices for year-round screening. Their resilient nature means they’ll thrive with minimal intervention once established, perfectly complementing your eco-friendly pool landscape.

Gardenia

Gardenias transform poolside environments with their radiant white blossoms and glossy evergreen foliage. These adaptable shrubs work beautifully in ground plantings, formed into privacy hedges, or displayed in decorative containers. Their intoxicating fragrance creates a spa-like atmosphere around your pool area. Gardenias provide the perfect combination of practical privacy screening and sensory enhancement, making them ideal components of sustainable pool landscaping designs.

Holly Bushes

Holly varieties like Blue Princess, China Girl®, and Nellie Stevens offer exceptional year-round privacy solutions for pool areas. Their dense evergreen foliage creates effective natural screening while adding texture to your landscape design. Holly berries provide essential winter food sources for birds and wildlife, enhancing your property’s ecological value. These versatile shrubs maintain their structural integrity throughout all seasons, ensuring constant privacy while contributing to local biodiversity around your eco-friendly pool environment.

Red Twig Dogwood for Four-Season Interest

Red Twig Dogwood delivers year-round visual interest with vibrant red stems that shine in winter landscapes. This native shrub produces white spring flowers, lush summer foliage, and blue or white berries in fall. Its adaptability to wet soils makes it perfect for poolside areas, while its multi-season appeal ensures your eco-friendly landscape remains engaging throughout the year.

Buttonbush for Poolside Wildlife Habitat

Buttonbush transforms pool areas into biodiversity hotspots with its unique spherical flowers that attract numerous pollinators and birds. This native shrub thrives in moist conditions, making it ideal for poolside placement where occasional splashing occurs. Its adaptability to partial shade conditions provides flexibility in your landscape design while supporting local wildlife and enhancing your pool’s natural ecosystem.

Creating a Sustainable Poolside Ecosystem with Companion Planting

Transforming your pool area with these seven natural plant selections offers more than just aesthetic appeal. You’ll create a thriving ecosystem that works with nature rather than against it.

By incorporating drought-tolerant ornamentals aromatic herbs and native shrubs you’re building a poolside sanctuary that requires minimal resources while maximizing environmental benefits.

Your eco-friendly oasis will reward you with reduced maintenance costs fewer chemical inputs and a welcoming habitat for beneficial wildlife. The beauty of these plant choices lies in their adaptability to challenging poolside conditions while contributing to local biodiversity.

Start small with just a few of these sustainable options and watch as your poolside landscape evolves into a lush natural retreat that’s as kind to the planet as it is to your senses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best plants for a poolside area?

The best plants for poolside areas include lavender, ornamental grasses (like Mexican Feather Grass and Blue Fescue), agave, sedum, native ferns, rosemary, and coneflowers. These plants thrive in pool environments while being eco-friendly. They require minimal water, tolerate reflected heat, and many offer additional benefits like repelling mosquitoes or attracting beneficial pollinators.

How can I create an eco-friendly pool landscape?

Create an eco-friendly pool landscape by selecting drought-tolerant native plants that require minimal water and maintenance. Incorporate ornamental grasses to prevent erosion, choose flowering perennials to attract pollinators, and add succulents that thrive in hot conditions. Ensure proper drainage, group plants with similar water needs, and use mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Will these plants create mess in my pool?

Most recommended poolside plants like ornamental grasses, succulents, and lavender create minimal debris. Unlike trees with heavy leaf drop or flowering plants with numerous petals, these selections have compact growth habits and non-invasive root systems. Native ferns, sedums, and agave are particularly clean options that won’t create significant pool maintenance issues.

Do I need special soil for poolside plants?

Yes, well-draining soil is crucial for poolside plants. Create a mix of native soil with coarse sand and organic matter to ensure proper drainage, which prevents root rot in the high-reflection environment around pools. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much moisture. For succulents and cacti, add additional grit or perlite to improve drainage further.

Which plants help repel mosquitoes around pools?

Lavender and rosemary are excellent natural mosquito repellents for poolside areas. These aromatic herbs contain compounds that mosquitoes find offensive. Plant them in sunny spots around seating areas to maximize their pest-repelling benefits. Other helpful aromatic herbs include citronella, lemon balm, and mint, though these should be contained to prevent spreading.

Can I plant trees near my pool?

It’s best to avoid large trees near pools as their roots can damage pool structures and fallen leaves create maintenance issues. If you want height and shade, consider alternatives like windmill palms or sago palms, which have non-invasive root systems. Native shrubs like osmanthus or holly can provide privacy without the drawbacks of traditional trees.

How do I maintain these poolside plants?

Most recommended poolside plants require minimal maintenance. Water deeply but infrequently once established, typically once weekly during dry periods. Trim ornamental grasses annually in late winter, prune shrubs as needed to maintain shape, and remove spent flowers from perennials to encourage reblooming. Apply a light layer of compost annually instead of chemical fertilizers.

Which plants provide the best privacy around a pool?

For optimal pool privacy, consider native shrubs like osmanthus, holly bushes, and red twig dogwood. Taller ornamental grasses like Mexican feather grass create seasonal screening. For year-round coverage, evergreen options like gardenia offer fragrant blooms with dense foliage. Plant in staggered groups rather than straight lines for a more natural, effective privacy screen.

Are there plants that help keep the pool water clean?

While no plants directly clean pool water, strategic landscaping can reduce debris and chemical needs. Ornamental grasses and native ferns filter air pollutants and prevent soil erosion that could contaminate pool water. Ground covers like sedum reduce runoff and soil splashing. Additionally, proper plant placement minimizes leaves and flower petals from entering the water.

How can I create a tropical poolside feel in a cooler climate?

Create a tropical poolside feel in cooler climates with cold-hardy options like windmill palms (hardy to 10°F), native ferns, and ornamental grasses that provide movement and texture. Container-grown tropical plants can be moved indoors during winter. Incorporate elements like large-leafed hostas, hardy bananas (Musa basjoo), and black-eyed Susans for color and tropical aesthetics without tropical maintenance needs.