It’s not just about choosing the right shape and tile colour when designing your pool!
Choosing the right plants is a crucial part of a beautiful Sydney pool landscaping.
The type of plants you choose for your poolscaping will determine how much shade your pool receives, how much maintenance the area requires, and even how much privacy you enjoy.
But there are so many options out there, how do you choose the best plants for your poolscaping project? This blog post will help you out!
We will share some of the best plants to include in your Sydney pool design, along with their benefits.
Need professional Sydney pool landscaping advice? Contact our friendly landscaping experts today.
What to Avoid and Why
Some plants, such as Ficus or Golden Cane Palms, have invasive roots that can damage your pool’s structure and foundations.
That’s why it’s essential to avoid any plants known for having invasive root systems.
You’ll also want to look for plants that don’t shed too many leaves, so you’re not constantly cleaning up in and around your pool! While flowering plants like Frangipani bring a nice tropical feel, the fallen blooms cause a lot of extra cleaning work.
And fruiting trees can attract wildlife, which can cause further mess in your pool!
If your pool area lacks shade, consider planting trees or tall shrubs that provide cover.
Alternatively, if you prefer full sun, opt for low-growing or sparse-canopy plants that won’t block the sunlight.
The Best Plants For Poolside Landscaping
Selecting the ideal plants for your Sydney pool design enhances the beauty and functionality of your entire outdoor space! Here are some of our top plant picks that thrive around pools:
Palm Trees
Palm trees are a classic choice for poolscaping, adding a tropical feel!
These trees are very low maintenance with minimal leaf shedding. Their tall trunks and beautiful fronds create a resort-style atmosphere that doesn’t overwhelm your space or cast too much shade.
Most palm species, such as the Kentia or Bangalow palm, have non-invasive roots, making them safe to plant near pools without risking structural damage!
Palms usually don’t attract excessive wildlife or drop messy fruits or flowers. They can adapt to full sun and dry conditions, making them ideal for planting near pools!
Succulents
Succulents are ideal for Sydney pool design because of their resilience, low maintenance, and ability to thrive in hot, sunny conditions.
With Sydney’s warm climate and frequent dry spells, succulents like agaves and aloes require minimal watering and are incredibly drought-tolerant.
They also don’t shed leaves or flowers excessively, which keeps your pool clean. Most succulents are pest-resistant and non-invasive, making them a safe and practical option for planting near pool edges or pavers!
Lomandra
Lomandra is one of the best choices for pool landscaping in Sydney because it is hardy and low-maintenance!
This tough native grass thrives in a variety of soil types and handles full sun, part shade, and even periods of drought. Lomandra tend to grow in clumps, making it ideal for borders and ground cover around pools.
They help to soften hard edges while preventing erosion. Unlike many other plants, it doesn’t shed messy leaves or flowers into the pool. It also has non-invasive roots that won’t damage surrounding structures, making it a safe and stylish poolscaping option!
Other Australian native grass varieties, such as Dianella, Themeda, and Poa, offer similar benefits and are well-suited for poolside planting.
Cordyline
Cordylines are a popular choice for Sydney pool designs due to their striking foliage, low maintenance requirements, and excellent adaptability to the local climate.
These tropical-looking plants bring vibrant colour to your poolside landscape, with varieties displaying bold reds, purples, and greens. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and require minimal watering once established, making them an ideal plant choice for busy homeowners.
Cordylines don’t shed excessive leaves or attract wildlife, helping to keep your pool clean.
Bird of Paradise
The Bird of Paradise is one of the best choices for poolscaping due to its tropical appearance and low-maintenance nature.
It features bold, banana-like leaves and vibrant, bird-shaped flowers, instantly adding a paradise feel to any pool area.
This plant thrives in full sun, tolerates heat well, and doesn’t shed heavily. It grows upright, making it an excellent option for creating privacy without occupying a lot of space.
Westringia
Westringia, also known as coastal rosemary, is another excellent choice for Sydney pool landscaping thanks to its resilience and year-round beauty.
Because this plant is native to Australia, it thrives in Sydney’s coastal climate, handling both heat and salt spray.
Their dense, tidy growth habit makes them perfect for hedges or border planting. Their soft, grey-green foliage and delicate, purple or white flowers add beauty to your pool area.
Westringias are also drought-tolerant once established and require minimal pruning, making them a great option for low-maintenance plants.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a vibrant, hardy choice for pool design in Sydney that can thrive in full sun and hot, dry conditions. This drought-tolerant plant adds a gorgeous burst of colour with its long-lasting blooms!
It requires very little water once established and is relatively low-maintenance. Bougainvillea can be grown as a climbing vine, shrub, or ground cover, offering versatility in design.
It doesn’t produce messy fruit or invasive roots, which helps keep your pool area clean and safe.
Lavender
Lavender is hardy, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for Sydney’s warm climate!
Its aromatic fragrance creates a calming atmosphere, ideal for relaxing by the pool. Lavender’s grey-green foliage and purple blooms also add colour and texture without making a mess, as it sheds very little.
It thrives in full sun, making it suitable for most Sydney backyards. Lavender naturally repels mosquitoes and other insects that typically gather near the pool. With its non-invasive roots and compact size, lavender is a beautiful and practical addition to any Sydney pool design.
