Your pool should be all about relaxing, unwinding and soaking in your backyard’s beauty. It shouldn’t be a source of stress, or just another chore on your to-do list.
The trick to a poolside that looks amazing without creating extra work is choosing the right plants. Pick wisely, and your greenery can turn your pool area into a gorgeous outdoor retreat that survives Perth’s hot summers, stays low-maintenance, and looks fantastic all year round.
But choose the wrong plants, and you’ll find yourself constantly chasing leaves around the garden and wondering why your ‘relaxation zone’ feels more like a ‘work zone’.
Luckily, with a few smart choices, your poolside can feel effortless and stylish, leaving you more time for floating, splashing or kicking back with a cold drink. So let’s explore the best plants for around a pool and show you how to make your backyard a space you look forward to spending time in.
What makes a plant pool-friendly?
Not every plant belongs near a pool. Some look fabulous at first, but as they grow, they can start dropping leaves into the pool, clogging filters or sending roots under paving, where they cause cracks, and no one wants that.
The best plants for around a pool share a few key traits that keep your space looking good and easy to enjoy:
- Low leaf drop – Fewer leaves, petals and seed pods drifting into the water means less time spent skimming, fewer blocked filters, and more time actually using the pool.
- Non-invasive roots – Pool-friendly plants won’t push under paving, crack pool surrounds or interfere with underground plumbing as they mature.
- Heat and sun-tolerant – Perth summers are no joke. The right plants thrive in full sun and heat without wilting, burning or demanding constant water
- Low maintenance – Minimal pruning, little mess and strong resilience mean your poolside stays neat without turning weekends into gardening chores.
Why Perth’s climate changes the rules
With Perth’s long, scorching summers and dry spells, your poolside plants need a whole different approach than the rest of your garden. What thrives in cooler or more humid climates often struggles here, or survives only with constant watering, pruning and attention.
And that’s exactly why smart plant selection is so important in Perth. At Luke’s Landscaping, we focus on plants that:
- Handle heat without wilting.
- Thrive in sandy soils.
- Look good year-round with minimal effort.
- Are waterwise and drought-tolerant.
That’s how you get a poolside that feels lush without wasting water or time.
The best plants for around a pool (Perth-approved favourites)
1. Frangipani
If relaxed, resort-style vibes are your thing, frangipani is a winner. It’s slow-growing, handles heat beautifully, and drops far less leaf litter than most people expect.
Perfect for:
- Tropical or coastal-style pools
- Adding height without making the area feel crowded
2. Hibiscus
Looking for a variety of colours without feeling chaotic? Hibiscus delivers. Its glossy leaves and bold flowers give your backyard instant personality, especially around family pools or entertaining areas.
Best used for:
- Feature shrubs
- Soft, casual privacy planting along fences or walls
3. Non-fruiting olive trees
Non-fruiting olive trees are a showstopper for sleek, modern pool areas. Hardy and drought-tolerant, they bring Mediterranean character without the mess of fallen fruit, and pair beautifully with concrete, timber and stone surrounds.
Ideal for:
- Minimalist poolside areas with clean edges and effortless style
- Creating gentle dappled shade without darkening the area
4. Westringia (Coastal Rosemary)
One of the hardest-working plants in Perth gardens. Westringia is tidy, tough and great for privacy without needing regular pruning or shaping.
Great for:
- Low hedges
- Pool fencing lines
- Soft screening that doesn’t feel bulky
5. Agave & Architectural Succulents
If you love a bold, modern look, agave and sculptural succulents make a statement without demanding attention.
Why they work:
- Extremely waterwise
- Minimal leaf drop
- Strong architectural shapes
6. Low-Growing Succulents
Don’t let their small size fool you. Succulents make a big style impact around your pool. They work beautifully in planters, edging or feature areas where you want greenery without height.
And the cherry on top? They’re extremely tough, tidy and nearly impossible to kill.
Plants to avoid around the pool
We’ve talked a lot about your ideal pool-friendly plants, but there are some plants that just aren’t worth the hassle.
Try to stay clear of:
- Messy trees such as jacarandas, poincianas or other deciduous trees. Beautiful in bloom, yes, but their leaves, flowers, and seed pods can quickly clog filters and litter your pool.
- Spiky plants near walkways or pool edges. Agaves and yuccas are perfect examples. They look striking in the right spot, but placing sharp-leaved varieties near paths or the poolside can cause cuts or injuries, especially for kids or bare feet.
- Aggressive root systems. Trees like willows or figs can lift paving, crack concrete and damage pool shells if planted too close to your poolside.
- High water-use plants, like Tropical ferns or water-loving ornamentals, may struggle in Perth’s hot, dry summers, which can leave you constantly watering and fussing to keep them alive.
Now that you know which plants thrive in Perth’s heat, and which ones are better left out, you can start thinking about how they actually shape your poolside experience. So let’s shift focus and look at how to use them for privacy and style.
Using plants for privacy (without blocking the breeze)
Privacy is one of the biggest reasons people rethink their pool landscaping. The secret lies in choosing plants that gently filter views instead of blocking everything with a solid wall.
Great Perth-friendly privacy options include:
- Westringia hedging forms a lush, elegant screen that feels like your own private retreat.
- Viburnum varieties block unwanted views while staying low-maintenance.
- Tall grasses sway in the breeze, adding life and movement without closing in your space.
- Layered planting with varied heights and textures makes your backyard feel vibrant and serene.
Low-maintenance wins every time
Once you’ve picked plants that look great and provide soft privacy, the next step is thinking about how much care your poolside actually needs. A stunning backyard should invite you to relax, not keep you running a constant garden maintenance schedule.
Focus on strategies that make your poolside easy to enjoy:
- Drought-tolerant plants that stay vibrant even through Perth’s blistering summers.
- Smart spacing and layering that reduce pruning and prevent overcrowding.
- Mulching and efficient irrigation tailored to local conditions, keeping plants healthy while saving water and effort.
Turn your poolside dreams into a stunning reality with Luke’s Landscaping
You’ve explored the best plants for around a pool and seen how the right choices can make your space look beautiful and stay easy to enjoy. But knowing what could work and turning it into a stunning, functional reality are two very different things.
From plants to paving, Luke’s Landscaping designs your poolside so it fits your life, your home, and every moment spent outdoors. Whether you’re after a lush, tropical feel or a sleek, modern retreat, their team will help you shape a poolside that feels as simple to use as it does striking to see.
So if you’re all set to create a poolscape you’ll love every day, get in touch and let’s make it happen!
Frequently asked questions
If you want a backyard that looks amazing without constant upkeep, focus on drought-tolerant, hardy plants like succulents, Westringia, and agaves. These choices stay tidy, survive Perth’s heat, and let you spend more time enjoying your pool instead of chasing leaves.
Absolutely! Pairing tropical favourites like frangipani or hibiscus with sleek succulents or olive trees creates a striking contrast. It gives your poolside a unique vibe that’s both lush and contemporary, letting your personality shine through your landscaping choices.
Layered planting is the key. Use medium hedges, tall grasses and screen-friendly shrubs like Westringia to filter views gently. You get a sense of seclusion while keeping breezes and sunlight flowing, which is perfect for Perth’s sunny backyard lifestyle.
Luke’s Landscaping doesn’t just give you a list of plants and call it a day. They tailor selections to your yard, style and Perth’s climate. From heat-tolerant natives to sculptural succulents, their team makes sure your poolside looks beautiful, works with your lifestyle, and stays low-maintenance year-round.
