(Newswire.net — April 24, 2019) –Swimming pools provide more than just leisure; they also add a lovely touch to your landscape. If you own a pool, you may wish to add some plants around it to make it blend with the surrounding. However, saltwater from your pool can be toxic to some plants that are sensitive to high salt levels. Knowing what to plant around a pool salt water will help you to make the right choices for plants on your landscape.
What to Plant Around a Pool Salt Water
Salt water pools produce large amounts of salt that mixes with the soil, hindering a plant’s ability to absorb water from the ground properly. The general rule of thumb is to choose salt-tolerant coastal plant species.
The Best Foliage and Flowers for Saltwater Pools
Most people prefer foliage and flowers to beautify the area around the pools. Some of the best foliage and flowers for saltwater pools include:
- Portulaca
- Lantana plants
- Prickly pear cactus
- Ivy geraniums
- Kalanchoe
- Daylilies
The Best Shrubs for Saltwater Pools
Shrubs also give the area around the pool some privacy and mystique. Some of the favorite options include:
- Sumac
- Winterberry holly
- Yucca
- Oleander
- The beach rose (Rosa rugosa)
Groundcover and Vine Plants for Saltwater Pools
Whether it’s the ground, fence or it’s a pergola you’re looking to accentuate with some color and dimension, here are some of the groundcovers and salt tolerant vines:
- Lily
- Bar Harbor Juniper (this works well for anyone looking to reduce or eliminate debris in the pool)
- English Ivy Plants (If you opt for these, be sure to keep up with your weeding as the plants can be invasive.)
- Virginia Creeper Vines
The trick with finding the right type of plants for your saltwater pool is to look for plants that have silvery, waxy or furry leaves. Some good examples are Echiums, Cycads, Agave attenuata, Bromeliads and a mixture of palms which provide a pleasant shade. Other plants that will thrive in saltwater situations include the Coastal Banksia, Chinese Hibiscus, Westringia, Olive and Rosemary.
Chlorinated Pools
Like saltwater pools, you need to ensure the plants you choose when you have a chlorinated pool can withstand chlorine splash. Generally, plants with tough, leathery leaves are better equipped to withstand damage from harsh chemicals such as chlorine. Perfect examples include Star Jasmine, Mondo grass and Cordyline.
Regardless of what type of pool water your pool has, several things are common across both. The first, and most crucial factor is pool maintenance, so you’ll want to avoid plants that drop their leaves as they can be hectic to clean. The second, and probably the most critical is to steer clear of plants that can cause structural damage to your pool.
Bottom Line
Don’t know what to plant around a pool salt water? Besides choosing plants that will tolerate saltwater from your pool, consider going for varieties that won’t attract too many insects and won’t be messy around your pool. Once you know what to plant around a pool salt water, you can spend less time worrying about your landscape and more time enjoying your pool.