Everything is ready for your summer rush – the resort is gleaming, the pool is prepared, and reservations are being made. Now all that’s left is some green! To maximize the space you want to use planters to give your poolside a welcoming feeling, provide color, and give some texture to your outside area.
You know fiberglass planters are a good idea – their finish keeps them safe from water and outdoor elements. They are perfect for the poolside. But there are a few things you should know before picking the plants that go in them and how they will fare alongside your pool.
Here’s what you need to know about planters and pools:
Plant Debris
Your resort probably has a professional servicing the pool, so this may not be a huge issue for you. However, if you service your own pool to keep costs down like many of us, you have to think about the debris any pool plant may create.
Avoid plants with cones, needles, and heavy pollination tendencies. We’re sure a dip in the pool will be less refreshing if there is a film of yellow pollen covering it!
Your filter will need to be checked and cleaned more often if you choose a plant that may ‘shed’ more than others. If there is a plant you just love and must have by the pool, just be aware of what that means for your space and how you will need to care for your pool because of it.
Plant Needs
You need to think about the plant you pick. Every plant has different environmental needs.
Chlorine – is it toxic to plants?
You may be concerned about the chlorine in the pool water. Especially if there will be kids using the pool, as they splash! Chlorine in small doses (as in, a few splashes here and there) is fine for plants!
Chlorine does kill some bacteria that is good for plants. But bacteria can multiply like crazy! So whatever bacteria is left over, will multiply in the soil, and as long as your plants don’t get waterlogged and have good drainage, they should be fine!
Overwatering
That being said, picking a plant that doesn’t get distressed by too much water would be beneficial. You don’t want to put a desert plant near the pool that should be watered very rarely.
Plants are sensitive to how much water they receive – too much or too little for their variety and they could be losing their luster quickly. Make sure you do your homework on the plants you choose!
Sunlight
Pools are usually in direct sunlight, and have a lot of heat reflection / light. You need a hardy plant to withstand these conditions. Even with beach umbrellas, the sun shift during the day can cause problems. A plant they may be relatively shaded in the early afternoon may be in full light a few hours later.
Too much light is similar to too much water – leaves can become sunburned and the plant can die. Look for leaves that turn pale and yellowish. This is a tell tale sign. Too much heat energy interferes with the plant’s photosynthesis process.
Heat
The pool area gets hot in the summer. I’m sure you’ve slipped on some flip-flops or pool shoes while outside to avoid your feet getting burned. Plants are living and they are affected by this heat too! The roots especially need to be protected. Some good ideas to help:
- Place the planters on wheels to keep it directly off concrete / tile
- Put a saucer under smaller planters to keep the planter from direct contact with the ground
- Use burlap or foam to cover the soil. This provides shade for the roots and can contain moisture
- Choose light colored containers that do not insulate heat
- Wrap dark colored planters in reflective, light material temporarily during heat waves
- Use a planter that can withstand harsh conditions like our fiberglass planters
So What Can I Have Near The Pool?!
You may be thinking that, after all these conditions, there isn’t many plants that can survive the poolside. Not true! We’ve compiled a few plant varieties here that will work well in planters by the pool. We’ve done the work for you, so now all you have to do is pick them up and plan out where you want them!
- Queen Palm
- Desert Lavender
- Bird of Paradise
- Fruitless Olive Tree
- Mastic Tree
- Mexican Blue Palm
- Indian Mallow
- Mountain Laurel
And many more! Just keep into consideration the needs of each plant and how they may affect the pool. Equipped with this knowledge, your resort will have a beautiful garden oasis in no time!