When it comes to owning a swimming pool in Florida, the water may be the star of the show, but the landscaping around it plays a huge supporting role. The right plants can reduce maintenance, keep pests at bay, cool your yard, improve privacy, and even protect your pool equipment and surfaces.
At Sharkey Pools of Jacksonville Beach, we clean and maintain hundreds of pools every month and see firsthand how thoughtful landscaping choices make pool ownership easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what Florida pool owners should consider when planning or refreshing landscaping around their pool.
1. The Value of Low-Maintenance Plants Around a Pool
Pools and high-maintenance plants are not friends. At Sharkey Pools, we love a lush landscape but have mixed feelings about certain landscapes that tend to be problematic. Plants that shed constantly, drop fruit, or have aggressive root systems can quickly turn into extra cleaning, clogged filters, and damaged decking.
Low-maintenance poolside plants offer several advantages:
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Fewer leaves and debris ending up in the pool
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Less pruning and cleanup year-round
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Reduced risk of roots damaging pool decks or plumbing
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Cleaner water with fewer organic contaminants
Great low-maintenance options in Jacksonville and the beaches include ornamental grasses, certain species of bamboo, dwarf palms, coontie, and many native shrubs that grow slowly and predictably. Choosing the right plants helps keep your pool looking “Sharkey clean” with less cost.
2. Plants That Help Repel Mosquitoes and Pests
Let’s be honest, Florida mosquitoes treat backyards like all-you-can-eat buffets. While no plant will eliminate mosquitoes entirely, certain plants can help discourage them when used as part of a smart landscape plan.
Plants commonly used around pools for pest resistance include:
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Lemongrass
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Lavender
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Basil
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Rosemary
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Mint (best in containers to prevent spreading)
These plants release natural oils that mosquitoes and other pests tend to avoid. Placing them near seating areas or along walkways can help make evenings by the pool more comfortable.
3. Plants That Reduce Yard and Pool Area Temperatures
Florida heat is no joke, especially during summer pool season. Strategic landscaping can help reduce surface temperatures and create a more comfortable pool environment.
Shade-providing plants and trees can:
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Lower air temperatures around the pool
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Reduce heat absorbed by decking and hardscapes
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Create cooler lounging and seating areas
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Help reduce water evaporation
Palms, bamboo, small canopy trees, and tall shrubs placed thoughtfully around the yard can provide cooling benefits without overwhelming the pool area. The key is proper placement to avoid excessive debris while still gaining shade where it matters most.
4. Landscaping for Poolside Privacy
Privacy is one of the most requested upgrades we hear from pool owners. Landscaping is a natural and attractive way to create a private oasis without building walls or fences everywhere.
Plants that work well for privacy around pools include:
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Clumping bamboo varieties (non-invasive types)
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Podocarpus
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Viburnum
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Areca and clusia hedges
These plants can create living screens that block neighboring views, reduce noise, and make your pool area feel like a true backyard retreat. Sharkey has consistently relied on the experts at North Florida Bamboo for their extensive local knowledge of non-invasive bamboo.
5. The Advantages of Florida-Friendly Plants
Florida-Friendly Landscaping is about choosing plants that naturally thrive in our climate, soils, and rainfall patterns. Around pools, this approach has major benefits.
Florida-Friendly plants:
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Require less water and fertilizer
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Are more resistant to pests and disease
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Reduce runoff of chemicals into your pool and storm drains
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Hold up better to heat, salt air, and seasonal storms
Native and Florida-adapted plants are easier to maintain long-term and better for the environment, while still delivering great curb appeal 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, reduces cleaning and maintenance, and helps your backyard function better year-round.
If you’re planning a pool upgrade or refreshing your backyard, think beyond aesthetics and choose plants that work with your pool, not against it.
At Sharkey Pools of Jacksonville Beach, we help homeowners enjoy their pools without unnecessary headaches. Clean water, smart surroundings, and stress-free swimming, that’s how pool ownership should feel.