What do your customers picture in their minds when they say they want a pool oasis? Perhaps they see a serene water feature, a pleasant atmosphere, and of course, a tropical paradise. By including various pool planters with different types of greenery, you can make your pool customers’ visions come to life.
Planters around pool areas are great additions not just for beauty but also for functionality. But where do you begin with so many planter materials and plant options?
To put it simply, planters installed around swimming pool areas must be somewhat resistant to sun damage and endure the most extreme weather conditions, such as severe winters, frost, and salt exposure. In particular for commercial applications, materials utilized for pool planters must be flexible in design to fit, enhance, and complement any pool area as well.
As for the best planter material for pool areas, high-quality commercial fiberglass planters tick all the boxes!
That’s because fiberglass planters aren’t just for show. They serve a vital function in preserving seclusion as well as the simplicity of the upkeep of the plants surrounding outdoor spaces.
This article will provide you with a professional insight into the benefits of using planters around the pool and 5 effective ideas to arrange pool planters!
Table of Contents
4 Benefits of using planters around pools
Planters add a splash of color to the pool area
A pool often dominates your environment with its enormous blue beauty. The blue will be emphasized and softened by the addition of other attractive hues to the border of your pool or decking, which will create a striking visual effect. The use of container plants around your pool is excellent for adding color.
Planters add height to swimming pools
An in-ground pool is remarkably flat, regardless of size. A decent, balanced design is aided by the addition of some taller potted plants. Try experimenting with different sizes of pots and plants.
A low, broad planter with a taller palm, for example, is attractive. A tall, narrow container loaded to the brim with cascading flowers (wave petunias, for example) may be a nice contrast. Experiment with plant and container height to create different types of vertical appeal.
Flexibility in arrangement
Depending on the different sizes and shapes of planters, they can easily be moved around the pool area to spice things up if it gets too boring using the old layout day by day.
The key principle to take into consideration when purchasing any planters is the materials.
For instance, concrete or metal planters are great for outdoor but they are too heavy to be moved around frequently.
Fiberglass planters are the best if you desire flexibility in landscape design.
Have no idea about the planter’s size and shape? Have a look at Best Shape And Size Of Pots For Plants | Size Chart And Guide
Soften the hardscape
Planters are an easy way to add interest to the outdoor swimming pool, they also help soften all the hardscaping that goes around the pool area, while also providing a sense of deep relaxation for you or your customers.
For commercial settings such as hotel pool areas, balancing between hardscape and softscape is extremely crucial.
According to The University of Washington’s Urban Forestry Research, commercial spaces with high-quality landscapes saw 7 percent higher rental rates than those without.
Learn more about Hardscape Vs Softscape and how to increase the value of each.
5 pool planter ideas to enhance your outdoor swimming pool
Divide the pool area
A pathway usually surrounds a pool. Whether it’s concrete, brick, stone, or wooden decking, the final result can be monotonous and unpleasant if the edges aren’t softened with color and texture.
Adding rectangular planters such as our Granada Wide Planters with their clean, modern lines to breaks up the landscape and allows your individual design flair to flourish.
Related article: Plant Room Divider Ideas To Craft A Commercial Space
Stagger planters
Plants placed in a random pattern can accent the edges of your pool. Add symmetry by uniformly arranging your chosen plants around the edge of your pool, or alter locations to add interest.
To keep things modern, utilize square plant pots such as Kathryn Square Tapered Planter, and grow distinctive ornamental grasses and flowering plants to add a finishing touch to your swimming pool area.
Create some privacy and shape for your pool
Planters strategically placed around your pool can provide shade and solitude.
While you can create a beautiful atmosphere with a series of containers filled with tall ornamental plants, a long rectangular planter will achieve the same effect but without using lots of different planters. Choose tall bushes or plants with broad leaves for more shade and seclusion.
Jay Scotts’ Hollywood Rectangular Planters are one of the best rectangular planters to effectively organize all your container plants, whether they are used for growing herbs or small trees! Plus, the clean straight lines and canopies of plants offered by planters provide a great privacy screen for any swimming pool area.
Need more ideas to create privacy with planters? Have a look at Tall Planters For Privacy: 7 Planting Tips For A Beautiful Privacy Screen
Create a unique grouping of pool planters
A cluster of planters is a classic technique to add intriguing aesthetic components to your landscape, so it stands to reason that a grouping of planters would enrich your pool area.
Use planters of varied heights to create a focal point or two of the same planters for some balance. Take the Jay Scotts’ Valencia Tall Round Tapered Planter as an example; the perfectly placed lines and smooth curves of our bowl planters come together to offer an amazing design that is highly adaptable, stunningly attractive, and ultimately timeless.
Valencia planters are refreshingly unique and come in a wide selection of traditional and more contemporary colors, so you should have no trouble mixing and arranging them exactly how you want.
Learn more about Choosing the Right Colors for Your Planters: Key Things to Know & Most Popular Color Schemes
Make a clear solo statement with a large modern planter
Think about enhancing your pool with merely a single planter and a statement plant for a refined and simple look. Choose a striking plant with a traditional planter in a neutral hue for a high-end appearance.
The ideal shape for a stand-alone planter would be a tall and large one such as our Alicante Fluted Round Planter, or if you going to plant a larger tree, try out the Wannsee Extra Large Round Planter.
If you have a large planter already, learn more about How To Fill Large Planters | From Potting Soil To Drainage Holes
Best potted plants around the pool
Selecting the right plants for your poolside planters depends significantly on your local climate and environmental conditions. Below are some excellent options for various climates along with detailed care tips.
Plants for humidity climates
- Frangipani (Plumeria) thrives in full sun, producing beautiful, fragrant flowers. The large leaves are easy to clean, even if they fall into the pool. To care for Frangipani, water regularly but ensure good drainage and place it in a sunny spot.
- Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) features dark green foliage and white, fragrant flowers, making it a striking addition to poolside areas. It grows best in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight and requires regular watering, especially during dry seasons.
- Bougainvillea is known for its vibrant bracts and climbing habit. It adds a splash of color and thrives in warm, sunny climates. Plant Bougainvillea in well-draining soil, place it in a sunny location, and water deeply but infrequently.
- Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) has striking, bird-like flowers and lush foliage. It thrives in warm, humid environments. For best results, place it in full sun to partial shade, use well-drained soil, and water regularly while allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Plants for dry climates
- Aloe Vera is a drought-tolerant succulent that adds a unique, sculptural element to your poolside. It requires minimal watering and well-draining soil. Place Aloe Vera in a sunny location for optimal growth.
- Agave is another drought-tolerant succulent available in various sizes and forms, perfect for a desert vibe. Plant Agave in sandy, well-draining soil, place it in full sun, and water sparingly.
- Lavender is known for its fragrant flowers and gray-green foliage, thriving in dry conditions and adding a Mediterranean touch to your poolside. Lavender needs well-draining soil and full sun. Water it deeply but infrequently.
- Yucca is a hardy plant with sword-like leaves and tall flower spikes, ideal for adding a dramatic look to your pool area. Yucca prefers full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. It is very drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering.
Saltwater and chlorine-resistant plants
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) tolerates salt spray and produces clusters of colorful flowers, making it ideal for coastal areas. Plant Oleander in well-draining soil and provide full sun. Water regularly but ensure good drainage.
- Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima) is a low-growing perennial with pink or white flowers that thrives in salty conditions. Sea Thrift prefers well-draining, sandy soil and full sun. Once established, water it sparingly.
- Pittosporum is tolerant of salt and wind, making it perfect for coastal landscapes. Plant Pittosporum in well-draining soil and provide full sun to partial shade. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots.
- Lantana is a hardy plant with brightly colored flowers that can handle salt and chlorine exposure. Plant Lantana in well-draining soil and place it in full sun. Water moderately to keep it healthy.
- Cordyline is known for its striking foliage and tolerance to salt and chlorine, adding a tropical feel to your poolside. Cordyline needs well-drained soil and partial to full sun. Water regularly but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Maintenance tips for poolside planters
Maintaining poolside planters is crucial to ensure that your plants thrive and continue to enhance the beauty of your pool area. Here are some comprehensive tips to help you keep your poolside planters in top condition:
Watering
- Consistent Schedule: Establish a regular watering routine, especially during hot weather, to ensure your plants get enough moisture.
- Avoid Overwatering: Ensure your planters have proper drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Use a soil moisture meter to monitor moisture levels.
- Morning Watering: Water your plants in the early morning to minimize evaporation and allow better water absorption.
Fertilization
- Balanced Fertilizer: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to provide essential nutrients to your plants.
- Seasonal Feeding: Feed your plants more frequently during the growing season and reduce feeding during the dormant season.
Pruning and Deadheading
- Regular Pruning: Trim dead or overgrown branches and leaves to promote healthy growth and maintain plant shape.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms and prevent energy loss on seed production.
Pest and Disease Control
- Inspect Regularly: Regularly check for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection can prevent infestations from spreading.
- Natural Remedies: Use natural pest control methods, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, to manage pests without harming beneficial insects.
Soil Maintenance
- Refresh Soil: Periodically refresh the soil in your planters by adding compost or new potting mix to replenish nutrients.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch to the soil surface to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain soil temperature.
Winter Protection
- Move Indoors: For harsh winters, move sensitive plants indoors or to a sheltered location.
- Protect Planters: Wrap planters with insulating materials like burlap to protect roots from freezing temperatures.
Fiberglass – the best planter material for poolside
As we have mentioned, fiberglass is the best material for pool plant pots; let’s have a look at the reasons why fiberglass planters take the lead in the planters industry.
- Extremely lightweight: Fiberglass is a long-lasting material that weighs far less than typical planter materials such as concrete or metal.
- Low maintenance: Because the resin and fiberglass materials used in fiberglass planters are resistant to sun damage and can withstand the most extreme weather conditions such as hard winters, frost, and salt exposure, they require less maintenance than other materials.
- Easy to repair: Fiberglass, unlike competing items such as terracotta, concrete, and plastics, may be repaired and refinished.
- Flexibility in design: Fiberglass is far more flexible and allows more creativity in design than traditional planter materials since it can be molded into any form. The end result is a sizable collection of items in all sizes and forms, in both classic and modern designs.
- Longevity: Fiberglass planters may be used both indoors and outdoors and can survive for years with appropriate maintenance.
Not convinced yet? See How Top Industry Professionals And Organizations Use Our Planters
Best Jay Scotts’ poolside planters in 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Plants not only offer a sense of tranquility and serenity to the pool area, but they also make it more welcoming. So, let’s look through our selection of the greatest poolside plants and small trees.
- Frangipani: thrives in full sunshine and produces lovely blooms to complement your pool. It has huge leaves that are easy to clean even if they fall in the water.
- Star Jasmine: Another appealing alternative is Star Jasmine, which has dark green foliage and white blossoms. This is a striking addition to the waterside, adding to the atmosphere.
- Viburnum Suspense: This lush and dark green hedge makes an excellent pool border. It flourishes and doesn’t require much attention.
- Palm trees: If you want to add a fun tropical atmosphere to your pool, this is a fantastic option. Palms are typically planted in huge pots, which adds to the privacy you may desire when swimming.
Into palm trees? Learn more about Palm Tree Landscaping Ideas: Indoor and outdoor Palm Paradise
Because of their longevity, fiberglass planters are an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor use. Outdoors, properly finished fiberglass planters can endure all four seasons and adverse weather. An automotive-grade finish also helps to prevent UV rays, rain, snow, and sleet from causing wear and discoloration.
Learn more about How Long Do Fiberglass Pots Last? And Why So Long?
Bamboo: Fast-growing and dense, ideal for a tropical feel. Choose clumping varieties to prevent invasive spread.
Italian Cypress: Tall and narrow, perfect for forming vertical privacy screens. Thrives in full sun.
Hedge Plants (Boxwood, Privet): Can be trimmed into dense barriers, offering a formal, structured look.
Tall Ornamental Grasses (Miscanthus, Pampas Grass): Provide a soft, waving barrier that adds both privacy and aesthetic appeal.
Arborvitae: Evergreen trees planted close together for a thick, year-round privacy screen.
Tall Plants and Hedges: Use Bamboo, Italian Cypress, or Arborvitae for natural screens.
Planters: Place tall, rectangular planters with ornamental grasses or small trees strategically around the pool.
Structures: Erect pergolas, trellises, or lattice panels with climbing plants like Jasmine or Bougainvillea.
Combining Elements: Mix plants, planters, and structures for layered privacy.
Water Features and Hardscaping: Incorporate fountains or stone walls to add privacy and ambiance.
Design Your Pool Oasis With Jay Scotts High-Quality Fiberglass Planters
Now that you have our guidelines at hand, what you need left are high-quality planters to complement your outdoor swimming pool, and Jay Scotts offers exactly just that!
Get even more inspired and browse our fiberglass planter range!
When you choose to design with Jay Scott fiberglass planters, the quality, and longevity of your planters are assured with an industry-leading 3-year warranty.
Plus, we can tailor each one of our fiberglass planters to be the exact size, shape, and dimensions of your project needs – Just let us know!