Florida-Friendly Pool Landscaping Ideas
Looking to upgrade your pool area with landscaping that thrives in Florida’s hot, humid climate—without creating more work for yourself? At Orchid Pools, we help homeowners across Martin County and Saint Lucie County create poolscapes that are both stunning and sustainable. Here are our top Florida-friendly landscaping ideas that will transform your pool area into a tropical paradise.
1. Choose Native and Low-Maintenance Plants
Florida's native plants are perfectly adapted to the region's climate and require less water, fertilizer, and pruning.
Best Florida-Friendly Plants for Pool Areas:
Bird of Paradise: Adds bold, tropical flair
Coontie Palm: Drought-tolerant and non-messy
Muhly Grass: Adds texture and color, especially in the fall
Firebush: Attracts butterflies and adds vibrant orange-red flowers
Society Garlic: Fragrant, hardy, and repels pests
Pro Tip: Choose plants that don’t drop a lot of leaves or flowers—this reduces pool cleaning time.
2. Install Stone or Paver Borders
Bordering your pool area with travertine pavers, shell stone, or concrete pavers creates a clean, elegant look and keeps mulch or soil out of your pool water.
Benefits of Pavers Around Pools:
Slip-resistant and heat-reflective
Easy to clean and maintain
Resistant to Florida’s sun and rain
3. Create Privacy with Smart Planting
Use hedges and trees to block wind and increase privacy without cluttering the pool deck.
Top Florida-Friendly Privacy Plants:
Clusia (Autograph Tree)
Areca Palm
Podocarpus
Silver Buttonwood
Avoid ficus and bamboo unless well-contained—they can become invasive and hard to manage.
4. Incorporate Artificial Turf or Ground Cover
Artificial turf and durable ground covers like sunshine mimosa give you green, barefoot-friendly space without the mud or mowing.
Why It Works:
No lawn clippings in the pool
Pet- and kid-friendly
Great for drainage in Florida’s rainy season
5. Add Accent Lighting for Ambiance and Safety
Install solar lights, LED uplighting, or under-cap lights around planters and walkways to extend pool use into the evening.
Florida-specific tip: Choose waterproof and salt-resistant fixtures to handle coastal air and high humidity.
6. Avoid These Common Florida Pool Landscaping Mistakes
Planting messy trees (like Royal Poinciana or Ficus)
Using mulch that washes into the pool
Improper drainage leading to runoff and flooding
Creating standing water zones that attract mosquitoes
Landscaping Services for Pools in Martin & Saint Lucie County
At Orchid Pools, we don’t just clean pools—we help you protect and enhance them with smart maintenance and landscaping advice. Whether you’re in Port Saint Lucie, Stuart, Jensen Beach, or Palm City, our team is here to help you enjoy a pool area that looks amazing and functions flawlessly year-round.
Need help designing a Florida-friendly pool space?
Reach out to Orchid Pools today—we’re your go-to pool pros in Martin and Saint Lucie County for everything from cleaning and maintenance to storm prep and style upgrades.
