What Are the Best Plants for a Pool Landscape?
Plant selection around a pool is constrained by practical factors: debris management, root intrusion risk, and heat and moisture tolerance. Here is the guidance.
Privacy Screening Plants
Arborvitae (Thuja Green Giant or Emerald): the most widely used pool privacy screen. Green Giant: grows 3 to 5 feet per year, reaching 30 feet at maturity — appropriate for larger properties. Emerald arborvitae: more compact (12 to 15 feet), appropriate for smaller yards. Place 5 to 8 feet from the pool deck (not against the pool shell). Bamboo in containers: fast-growing, tropical aesthetic, but must be containerized to prevent it from spreading invasively. Container-grown bamboo in large planters: an excellent screen that remains controllable. Ornamental grasses (Pampas grass, Maiden grass): tall (6 to 12 feet), low maintenance, low debris drop, attractive movement in the breeze. Not invasive and appropriate adjacent to the pool area. (For more on this, see Pool Landscaping and Deck Design.)
Low-Litter Ornamental Plants
The primary criterion for pool-adjacent plants: minimal litter (leaves, seeds, petals, berries) that falls into the pool. Best choices: tropical plants with large, waxy leaves (birds of paradise, elephant ears, palms) in climates where they can survive. In northern climates: ornamental grasses, iris, and agapanthus. Succulents and agaves in appropriate climates. Lavender and rosemary (low water, low litter, aromatic). Avoid: bougainvillea (high petal drop), crape myrtle (heavy petal and bark drop), willow trees (invasive roots and heavy litter).
Root Intrusion Prevention
Trees with aggressive root systems (willows, silver maples, some poplars): can intrude into pool plumbing within 10 to 15 years if planted within 15 to 20 feet of the pool. Safe trees for pool landscapes: palms, ornamental crape myrtles (non-aggressive roots), Japanese maples (compact, non-aggressive), and serviceberries. Any tree planted near the pool: keep the root zone contained with deep-root barriers if necessary for the specific species.
Working With a Contractor on This Project
Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.
Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.
Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project.
Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.
Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.
Making a Confident Decision
The information in this article is designed to help you ask better questions of the professionals you work with, evaluate their answers with more confidence, and understand the decisions involved in this type of home services project. It is not a substitute for professional assessment of your specific home. (For more on this, see Questions to Ask a Landscape Design Company.)
Every home is different. Roof slopes, local weather, tree exposure, soil conditions, and existing system condition all affect what the right solution is for your specific situation. The general principles here apply broadly, but a professional who assesses your home in person will give you guidance that accounts for the details that general articles cannot.
When you are ready to move forward, getting at least two or three quotes from licensed, insured, local contractors is the most important practical step. It lets you compare approaches, assess contractor quality, and confirm that the solution proposed matches your specific situation and budget.
Pool Construction Cost at a Glance
Here is a quick reference for residential pool construction costs by type. All prices are fully installed, including excavation, the pool shell, basic coping, standard equipment (pump, filter), and an initial deck.
| Cost Factor | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl-liner in-ground pool | $35,000 to $65,000 | The most affordable in-ground option. Liner replacement every 10 to 15 years ($3,000 to $7,000) is an ongoing cost. |
| Fiberglass in-ground pool | $60,000 to $100,000 | Pre-formed shell, fastest installation (1 to 3 weeks), lowest long-term maintenance, limited to manufactured shapes. Basic installation; a 400 to 800 sq ft concrete patio takes it to $85,000 to $135,000. |
| Gunite or concrete custom pool | $65,000 to $120,000+ | Fully custom shape and features, longest construction timeline (6 to 12 weeks), periodic replastering every 10 to 20 years. A typical 550 sq ft pool with a 600 sq ft patio runs $110,000 to $140,000. |
Cost figures on this page were checked against published pricing on August 29, 2026. How we source cost data.
Commonly added features (each): Attached spa: $6,000 to $15,000 additional. Water features (waterfall, sheer descent): $2,000 to $10,000. Pool automation system: $2,000 to $5,000. Expanded deck (pavers): $15,000 to $30,000.
Total project cost (pool + fence + deck + landscape): typically 150 to 200 percent of the base pool price. Budget annually for operating costs: $1,500 to $5,000 per year depending on service and heating choices. (For more on this, see Landscape Design: How to Budget for Your Project.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Arborvitae (Green Giant or Emerald): the most widely used pool privacy screen -- evergreen, fast-growing, minimal debris. Ornamental grasses (Miscanthus, Pampas grass): 6 to 12 feet tall, attractive, low-litter. Bamboo in large containers: tropical aesthetic, fast growth, controllable when containerized. Holly (Nellie Stevens or American holly): evergreen, moderate growth, minimal litter.
Willow trees: extremely invasive roots that damage pool plumbing. Silver maple: aggressive roots and heavy seed and whirlybird drop. Cottonwood: cottony seed release that clogs filters. Sweetgum: heavy spiny ball drop that damages bare feet. Mulberry: heavy berry drop that stains pool deck and water. Any fruit tree: dropped fruit attracts insects and creates organic load in the pool. Keep all trees a minimum of 10 to 15 feet from the pool shell.
Ornamental grasses (drought-tolerant, sun-loving, minimal litter). Agave and succulents in dry climates (sculptural, very low maintenance). Lavender and rosemary (Mediterranean plants, drought-tolerant, aromatic, minimal litter). Birds of paradise in frost-free climates (bold tropical look, large waxy leaves). Lantana (heat-tolerant, pollinator-attracting, low litter). Oleander (heat-tolerant, privacy screening -- note: highly toxic if ingested, not appropriate if young children or pets have unsupervised access to the yard).
A shade structure (pergola, shade sail, louvered pergola): provides shade without any leaf debris. Palms: provide tropical shade with minimal litter (old fronds must be removed, but they do not continuously shed small debris). Japanese maples: some leaf drop in fall, but beautiful shade and minimal pest/disease problems. Shade sails stretched between posts: an effective, debris-free shade solution for pool patios.
Shrubs and perennials: 3 to 5 feet from the pool coping (the edge of the pool). Trees: 10 to 15 feet minimum from the pool shell to prevent root intrusion into plumbing. Privacy screens (arborvitae, bamboo): 5 to 8 feet from the pool deck edge. A 4 to 6-foot clear walkway around the entire pool: required by most safety codes and necessary for comfortable circulation.