When you own a pool in Florida, the water may be the star of the show, but the landscaping around it plays a big supporting role. The right plants can cut down on maintenance, keep pests away, cool your yard, add privacy, and even protect your pool equipment and surfaces.
At Sharkey Pools, we make more than 500 pool visits a month around Jacksonville Beach. We see firsthand how smart landscaping makes owning a pool easier and more enjoyable. Here's what to think about when you plan or refresh the landscaping around your pool.
1. Choose low-maintenance plants
Pools and high-maintenance plants don't get along. We love a lush yard, but some plants cause problems. Plants that shed constantly, drop fruit or have aggressive roots mean more cleaning, clogged filters and damaged decking.
Low-maintenance poolside plants give you:
- Fewer leaves and less debris in the pool
- Less pruning and cleanup all year
- Less risk of roots damaging pool decks or plumbing
- Cleaner water with less organic material
Good low-maintenance choices in Jacksonville and the Beaches include ornamental grasses, certain bamboo species, dwarf palms, coontie, and many native shrubs that grow slowly and predictably. The right plants help keep your pool "Sharkey clean" for less.
2. Plants that help discourage mosquitoes and pests
Let's be honest: Florida mosquitoes treat backyards like an all-you-can-eat buffet. No plant will get rid of them completely, but some can help discourage them as part of a smart landscape plan.
Plants often used around pools for this include:
- Lemongrass
- Lavender
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Mint (best in containers so it doesn't spread)
These plants release natural oils that mosquitoes and other pests tend to avoid. Put them near seating areas or along walkways to make evenings by the pool more comfortable.
3. Plants that cool down the pool area
Florida heat is no joke, especially in summer. Smart landscaping can lower surface temperatures and make the pool area more comfortable.
Shade plants and trees can:
- Lower the air temperature around the pool
- Reduce the heat soaked up by decking and pavers
- Create cooler places to lounge
- Help reduce water evaporation
Palms, bamboo, small canopy trees and tall shrubs can all add shade without overwhelming the pool area. Placement is the key: get shade where you need it without dropping debris into the water.
4. Landscaping for privacy
Privacy is one of the most common upgrades pool owners ask about. Plants are a natural, attractive way to create a private retreat without walls or fences everywhere.
Good privacy plants around pools include:
- Clumping bamboo (non-invasive varieties)
- Podocarpus
- Viburnum
- Areca palm and clusia hedges
These plants form living screens that block views, soften noise and make your pool area feel like a true backyard retreat. For non-invasive bamboo, Sharkey has long relied on the local experts at North Florida Bamboo.
5. The advantages of Florida-Friendly plants
Florida-Friendly Landscaping means choosing plants that naturally thrive in our climate, soil and rainfall. Around a pool, that has real benefits.
Florida-Friendly plants:
- Need less water and fertilizer
- Resist pests and disease better
- Reduce chemical runoff into your pool and storm drains
- Hold up better to heat, salt air and seasonal storms
Native and Florida-adapted plants are easier to keep up over the long run, and better for the environment, while still looking great around your pool.
A smarter landscape makes pool ownership easier
The right landscaping doesn't just make your pool look better. It protects your investment, cuts down on cleaning and maintenance, and makes your backyard work better all year.
If you're planning a pool upgrade or refreshing your backyard, think beyond looks and choose plants that work with your pool, not against it.
At Sharkey Pools of Jacksonville Beach, we help homeowners enjoy their pools without the headaches: clean water, smart surroundings and stress-free swimming. That's how owning a pool should feel. See our weekly service.
