Knowing which plants not to grow near your swimming pool is just as important as choosing the right ones. While greenery adds beauty and creates a relaxing oasis, certain plants can quickly turn your poolside retreat into a constant chore.
Some species shed messy flowers and leaves that clog filters, while others have aggressive root systems that can damage plumbing or crack the pool deck. A few even carry sharp thorns that make walking barefoot around the pool uncomfortable and unsafe.
In this guide, you’ll learn about 10 plants you shouldn’t grow near a swimming pool if you want to keep maintenance low and your outdoor space enjoyable. By avoiding these problem plants, you’ll save hours of cleanup and protect your pool from costly damage.
#1 Bamboo
Bamboo may give your backyard a tropical vibe, but it’s one of the worst plants to grow near a pool. Its invasive roots can travel long distances underground, damaging plumbing lines and concrete foundations.
On top of that, bamboo constantly sheds leaves that blow into the water. If you love its look, plant it in a large container well away from the pool area.
#2 Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea dazzles with vibrant bracts in pink, purple, red, or orange, but those papery petals quickly become a pool maintenance nightmare.
The lightweight bracts scatter with the slightest breeze, sticking to water surfaces and clogging filters. If you want bougainvillea in your landscape, keep it far from the pool or grow it in a separate sunny corner of your yard.
#3 Flowering Cherry or Plum Tree
Cherry and plum trees put on a spectacular show of blossoms in spring, but those same blooms are a headache near pools. Their petals drop in large amounts, covering the water and the surrounding deck.
Once wet, they stick to every surface and require constant sweeping. These trees are best planted farther into the garden, where their seasonal beauty can be enjoyed without the cleanup.
#4 Acacia
Acacia shrubs are admired for their clusters of creamy yellow blooms, but they shed heavily once the flowers fade.
The fallen blossoms scatter across patios and pool surfaces, creating a mess and clogging skimmers. If you want to grow acacia, use it as a backdrop plant well away from the pool zone.
#5 Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle vines fill the air with a sweet fragrance and attract hummingbirds, but they also produce berries and spent blooms that litter the ground.
Their vigorous growth can become invasive, and any dropped flowers easily blow into the pool. Keep honeysuckle confined to arbors or trellises far from water features.
#6 Dwarf Arborvitae
Dwarf arborvitae produces dense foliage with tiny needle-like leaves that shed easily. Once they fall into the water, they’re difficult to skim out and often sink to the bottom.
Planting them near a pool deck also creates a prickly hazard for bare feet. These evergreens are better suited to container planting on patios away from the pool.
#7 Azalea
Azaleas are loved for their long-lasting blooms, but they drop leaves and flowers in abundance, especially in fall. Around pools, this means constant skimming and clogged filters.
They also prefer acidic, moist soil conditions that don’t pair well with typical poolside landscaping. For low-maintenance color, choose pool-friendly shrubs instead.
#8 Tulip Tree
The Tulip Tree is a fast-growing giant, reaching heights of 80 feet, with broad leaves and tulip-shaped flowers. While majestic in a park or large yard, it’s terrible near pools.
Its heavy leaf drop clogs drains and pool cleaners, while its size can overwhelm smaller gardens. Plant tulip trees well away from water features to avoid future problems.
#9 Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtles are prized for their colorful summer blooms, but those tiny flowers shed in massive amounts. When grown near a pool, the petals float on the surface and quickly clog skimmers.
If you want to enjoy their beauty, plant them at the far edge of your yard where the litter won’t blow toward the water.
#10 Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush shrubs create eye-catching red, brush-like flowers that are adored by pollinators. Unfortunately, each flower is made of countless fine filaments that shed as they fade.
These needle-like pieces scatter into the pool, making cleanup a daily task. Plant bottlebrush at a distance where you can enjoy the blooms without the mess.