14 Poolside Plants That Will Make Your Backyard Feel Like a Luxury Resort Turn your backyard into a calming respite. Close Credit: Getty Images While a swimming pool instantly adds value to your backyard, its potential isn't maxed out until you complete the aesthetic with smart landscaping. A few thoughtfully placed flowers, foliage plants, and grasses will transform your pool area into a lush, resort-like oasis you'll love to lavish in—even when you're not swimming. To give you inspiration, we spoke to gardening experts who shared their favorite poolside plants. The varieties on this list aren't just beautiful, they're also resilient and can flourish under the hot summer sun while you and your loved ones splash around in the pool. 30 Pool Landscaping Ideas for a Luxurious Outdoor Retreat 01 of 14 Bird of Paradise Credit: Getty Images Turn your pool into a tropical oasis by planting bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) around the perimeter. "Bird of paradise is an exotic, tropical-looking plant with bold, banana-like leaves and striking orange-and-blue flowers resembling a bird’s beak," says Alexander Betz, landscape designer and founder of Plant by Number. "Its architectural shape and colorful flowers give a lush, resort-style feel without creating much mess. It’s also drought-tolerant once established." Zones: 9 to 11Size: 5 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained, fertile soil 02 of 14 Hibiscus Credit: Getty Images Hibiscus shrubs (Hibiscus spp.) offer continuous, showy blooms that will give your pool area a tropical aesthetic. Their brightly colored flowers in shades of red, yellow, pink, and orange attract butterflies without being messy and are evergreen in warm climates, Betz says. Zones: 9 to 11Size: 4 to 8 feet tall x 4 to 8 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil 03 of 14 Bluestem Grass Credit: Getty Images This ornamental grass creates a natural setting around the pool. Larger varieties of bluestem grass (Andropogon spp.) can add privacy, while smaller varieties make excellent low-maintenance container plantings, says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. "They can be incredibly resilient since they are adapted to the local climate, and tend to be less messy than some other popular poolside plantings that may drop leaves, flowers, or petals into the pool." Zones: 3 to 9Size: 2 to 8 feet tall x 2 to 8 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil 04 of 14 Aster Credit: Getty Images Asters (Aster spp.) produce charming daisy-like blooms in various shades and contrasting dark green foliage, adding a whimsical feel to the backyard. "Many aster species bloom in late summer and fall, providing vibrant color when many other blooms are fading," says Phillips, adding that these sun-loving plants are drought-tolerant once established. Zones: 3 to 8Size: 1 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil 05 of 14 Elephant Ears Credit: Getty Images Elephant ears (Colocasia) have dramatic heart-to-arrowhead-shaped leaves that boast green or variegated leaves in shades of purple, black, white, pink, or yellow. "The dramatic, lush foliage instantly creates a tropical, resort-like feel," says Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. "It thrives in moist conditions common around pools and is low-mess, keeping the space clean." Zones: 8 to 11Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil 06 of 14 Canna Credit: Getty Images Cannas (Canna spp.) are the ultimate poolside plant, says Peggy Anne Montgomery, horticulturist representing Flowerbulb.eu. Their bold, banana-like foliage offers an exotic, tropical vibe to the landscape. "Thriving in warm climates, these stunning plants bloom continuously from summer through the first frost, creating a lively, resort-style atmosphere right in your backyard," she says. "Their dramatic leaves—often striped or tinged in deep reds and purples—are striking even when not in bloom, adding texture and color to any setting." Zones: 8 to 10Size: 1 to 8 feet tall x 1 to 6 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil 07 of 14 Mandevilla Credit: Getty Images Mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.) can be grown as a climbing vine or mounding plant. Its jewel-tone, star-shaped flowers commonly bloom in shades of red, pink, or white, but newer varieties come in shades of purple, yellow, and apricot. "Mandevilla is remarkably easy to care for. It just needs a sunny spot and regular watering to thrive," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist with Costa Farms. As a topical plant, it loves when the weather is hot and humid, making it an ideal poolside plant. Zones: 10 to 11Size: 3 to 10 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil 08 of 14 Siam Tulip Credit: Getty Images A unique, low-maintenance flower, siam tulip (Curcuma alismatifolia) produces tropical pinecone-like blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white. "Curcuma is a fun choice for planting by your pool because it's something a little different," says Hancock. "You'll be able to enjoy its exotic beauty all summer long. It loves hot weather, so all you need to do is keep it watered." Zones: 8 to 11Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil 09 of 14 Arabian Jasmine Credit: Getty Images A lovely shrubby vining plant, Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac) boasts dark green leaves and dozens of fragrant white flowers. "Arabian jasmine's scent is light, so it won’t overpower your pool," says Hancock. "It's an attractive and fragrant plant that's easy to care for—you don’t need to give it any special care to enjoy a floriferous show all season long." Zones: 10 to 12Size: 4 feet tall x 4 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil 10 of 14 Miniclover Credit: Getty Images Miniclover (Trifolium repens) is a compact ground cover with bright green leaves that create a carpet-like appearance and occasionally blooms with tiny white flowers, says Troy Hake, owner of Outsidepride. It's a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant lawn alternative that tolerates light foot traffic, resists weeds, and thrives even when splashed with water from the pool. Zones: 3 to 10Size: 4 to 6 inches tall x 24 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; fertile, well-drained soil 11 of 14 Kidney Weed Credit: Catherine McQueen/Getty Images Another ground cover, kidney weed (Dichondra repens), forms a velvety mat of lush, dark green foliage with small kidney-shaped leaves, says Hake. "Its tight growth habit and rich color create a refined look near water features," he adds. It feels soft underfoot, so it's perfect to walk on barefoot during days at the pool. Zones: 8 to 11Size: 1 to 3 inches tall x 32 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil 12 of 14 Sedum 'Pool Party' Credit: Grace Cary / Getty Images This stonecrop (Sedum) variety has a dense, mounding growth habit, producing large, flat clusters of flowers that mature to a light pink shade, says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development with Terra Nova Nurseries. As the name implies, 'Pool Party' is ideal for planting along poolside areas thanks to its drought tolerance and low-maintenance reputation. Zones: 4 to 9Size: 14 inches tall x 25 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; mineral-rich, well-drained soil 13 of 14 Heuchera 'Georgia Peach' Credit: Getty Images A type of coral bells (Heuchera), 'Georgia Peach' showcases large, peach-colored leaves with a silver overlay, which deepens to rose-purple in fall and winter, says Pavlich. It produces small, white flowers in late spring. "Its vibrant foliage color provides year-round interest, and its compact size makes it suitable for borders or container plantings around pools," he adds. Zones: 4 to 9Size: 12 inches tall x 14 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; organic-rich, well-drained soil 14 of 14 Petasites 'Golden Palms' Credit: Courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries 'Golden Palms' is a stunning variety of butterburs (Petasites) that features large, shimmering metallic golden leaves resembling palm fronds, says Pavlich. It produces cream-colored flower spikes from February to April. "Its bold foliage provides a lush, tropical look, making it an excellent ground cover near water features or in moist, shaded areas," he says. Zones: 6 to 10Size: 24 inches tall x 24 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, humus-rich soil Explore more: Garden Landscaping