There are a lot of considerations to make when finding the best poolside planters – from plants that don’t make a mess out of your pool to planters that can withstand the wear and tear of permanently residing beside a splash zone.
Ideally, you want to avoid plants that clutter the outskirts of your pool with weeds and leaves that’ll clog your filters, because the last thing you want is additional maintenance. But before we get into the best poolside plants, we are going to take a look at the best poolside planters. After all, where you house your plants is just as important as the plant itself.
4 Things to Look for to Find the Best Poolside Planter
Waterproof Planters
It might seem like a silly requirement – aren’t all planters waterproof considering you must water the plants that reside inside? The truth is that not all planters can handle a great deal of water without eventually suffering the consequences. Many planters that are made from porous materials, such as concrete or stone planters, are subject to cracking, pitting and breaking when exposed to too much water.
At TerraCast, our resin-based planters are non-porous and non-hydroscopic, which means they are not affected by water of any kind, not even water with high salinity. That’s because moisture and other elements don’t seep beneath the top layer.
Maintenance Free & Resistant to Corrosion
Corrosion is one of the biggest issues when it comes to poolside planters because of all the moisture present around a pool. Always make sure that the planters you invest in will not corrode no matter what. Plus, corrosion on planters can stain the concrete surfaces below, creating a double-edged sword.
Pools are a lot of maintenance, so the last thing you need are decorative features around your pool that require even more maintenance. Luckily, our planters are maintenance free and never require painting. Plus, they are resistant to chips, peels, cracks, and corrosion.
Resistant to Fading in Sunlight
Most pools are in direct sunlight and so are the poolside planters, in which case they need to be resistant to UV rays. Some planters will fade drastically when placed under the hot sun for any period of time – losing their beautiful texture or coloring in exchange for a lack luster appearance.
It’s not just the sun you need to worry about, out by the pool your planters will be exposed to all types of weather. Weather-resistant planters are important, that way you don’t have to replace your planters on a regular basis.
Can Withstand Getting Knocked Over
Rowdy kids (or adults) ever play in your pool? It’s likely that a planter will get knocked over at some point, either by someone running around the outskirts of the pool or maybe even a gardener with a weedwhacker. If this occurs, the planter shouldn’t crack and break into a bunch of pieces. Yet, many common planter materials, such as concrete and stone, are prone to cracking and breaking.
Not our resin-based planters! We’ve even thrown them off rooftops to prove how strong and durable they are.
Other Benefits of TerraCast Planters:
- Lightweight and easy to move around as needed
- Resistant to graffiti as well as other stains
- Incredibly durable and long lasting
- Made right here in the USA using sustainable manufacturing processes and locally sourced materials wherever possible
- Recyclable
- Made from recycled materials – black products can be made with up to 100% post-consumer recycled materials.
Browse our full selection of pool-friendly planters
5 of the Best Poolside Plants
Now that you have the best poolside planters, it’s important to invest in the right plants to adorn the edges of your beautiful pool. Here are some of our favorite options.
Look for Large Leaved Plants
Plants with little leaves are more tedious to clean up after than plants with larger leaves. That’s why we recommend seeking out plants with large leaves. If you have a pool service that comes out regularly, this is less of an issue than if you take care of maintenance yourself. The goal is to prevent the leaves from floating into the pool and clogging up the filters.
Pick Plants That Produce Little to No Leaf Litter
Some plants produce a great deal of debris, while other plants are neater to clean up after. Some great poolside plants that produce little leaf litter include: Fruitless Olive, Red Gum Tree, Mediterranean Fan Palm, Ironwood, Mastic Tree, and Cascalote.
Some low-profile bushes that make great poolside plants include Calliandra, Buddleia, Indian Mallow, Dalea, Mountain Laurel, Arizona Rosewood, and Turpentine Bush.
Use Succulent Plants
Succulent plants are an incredibly low maintenance option and there are many different types to play around with. They produce very little debris and can handle a lot of sunlight, plus they require little water. Some nice options to check out include agave, yucca and aloe – all three of these heat lovers can thrive in full sunshine.
Add Tropical Flair with Small Palms
Want to make your pool a tropical oasis? Some great options include small palms, sago palm, cycads.
Add Trailing Plants and Vines
Trailing plants and vines can grow over planters and flow into other flowering spaces, offering a uniquely beautiful look. Some excellent options to secure this look include: Tufted Evening Primrose, Blue Euphorbia, Lantana, Penstemon, Verbena, Salvia, and Germander.