21 Pretty Shade Plants Around Pool Ideas That Add Color and Cover

Fact checked by
Reviewed by

Thinking about sprucing up your pool area? Shade plants can bring a lovely pop of color and a refreshing vibe. From elegant ferns to bright astilbe, there’s a delightful variety to explore. Each plant has its own special charm, making it simple to elevate your space. Ready to discover some fantastic options for your poolside oasis?

Hostas

lush low maintenance poolside foliage

When I think of shade plants that thrive around pools, hostas immediately come to mind. Their bold foliage creates a lush backdrop, perfect for complementing the water’s tranquility.

I love how they come in various colors and sizes, adding interest without overwhelming the space. Plus, they’re low-maintenance, making them ideal for busy days by the pool.

Hostas truly enhance the overall atmosphere.

Ferns

lush greenery for pools

After considering hostas, ferns offer another fantastic option for adding lush greenery around pools.

I love how their delicate fronds create a soft, inviting atmosphere. They thrive in shady spots and come in various sizes and textures, making them perfect companions for other plants.

Plus, their vibrant green color really pops against the water, enhancing the pool’s overall aesthetic.

Astilbe

vibrant perennials for shade

While exploring options for poolside greenery, I can’t help but admire Astilbe for its stunning blooms and lush foliage.

These vibrant perennials thrive in shady spots, making them perfect for my pool area. With their feathery plumes in shades of pink, white, and red, they bring a splash of color.

I can’t wait to see them flourish by the water’s edge!

Japanese Maple

vibrant leaves dappled shade

Japanese Maple stands as a stunning centerpiece in any poolside landscape. Its vibrant red and green leaves provide a beautiful contrast to the blue water, creating a serene atmosphere.

I love how it adds elegance and texture to my space, especially in the fall when the leaves turn brilliant hues. Plus, its delicate branches create lovely dappled shade for relaxing afternoons.

Caladium

vibrant tropical foliage oasis

The vibrant foliage of Caladium complements the elegance of a Japanese Maple beautifully.

I love how their heart-shaped leaves come in striking colors like pink, white, and green. They thrive in shady spots, making them perfect for around the pool.

With their lush appearance, Caladium adds a tropical feel that transforms the space into a vibrant oasis of relaxation.

Bleeding Heart

whimsical heart shaped blooms

Bleeding Heart plants bring a touch of whimsy and romance to any garden space, especially around a pool.

I love their delicate, heart-shaped blooms that dangle gracefully, creating a stunning visual. They thrive in partial shade, making them perfect for those cozy, shaded corners by the water.

Plus, their lush foliage adds depth, enhancing the overall beauty of your poolside oasis.

Heuchera

vibrant poolside perennial option

After admiring the enchanting Bleeding Heart, let’s explore another stunning option for poolside planting: Heuchera.

These colorful perennials, with their vibrant leaves ranging from deep purple to bright lime, offer a striking contrast around your pool.

Colorful perennials with vibrant leaves from deep purple to bright lime create a stunning contrast around your pool.

They thrive in partial shade, require minimal maintenance, and can really elevate the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space.

You’ll love their versatility!

Ajuga

vibrant low maintenance ground cover

Ajuga, often called bugleweed, is a fantastic ground cover that I can’t recommend enough for poolside areas.

Its vibrant foliage comes in various shades, like deep green, purple, and even variegated forms, adding a splash of color.

Plus, it thrives in shady spots, is low-maintenance, and spreads quickly, creating a lush carpet.

You’ll love how it brightens up your pool area!

Coral Bells

vibrant shade loving pool plants

While you’re exploring shade plants for your pool area, Coral Bells (Heuchera) deserves your attention.

I love how these vibrant plants offer a stunning range of colors, from deep purples to bright greens. They thrive in shady spots and provide texture with their unique foliage.

Plus, their delicate flowers add an elegant touch, making Coral Bells a perfect choice for enhancing your poolside oasis.

Shade-Loving Begonias

vibrant shade loving begonias thrive

If you’re looking to add even more color and charm to your pool area, Shade-Loving Begonias are a fantastic option.

Their vibrant blooms can brighten up any shady spot, and I love how they come in various colors and sizes.

Plus, they thrive in moist soil, making them perfect for that humid poolside environment.

You won’t regret choosing them!

Impatiens

vibrant shade loving flowering plants

Impatiens are a go-to choice for anyone wanting to infuse their pool area with vibrant color and lush foliage.

I love how they thrive in shady spots, making them perfect for areas with limited sunlight.

With a variety of colors to choose from, I can create stunning combinations.

Pin This Now to Remember It Later
Pin This

Plus, their soft petals add a gentle touch to the overall ambiance.

Brunnera

charming blue shade perennial

Brunnera, often called false forget-me-not, brings a charming touch to poolside gardens with its striking blue flowers and heart-shaped leaves.

I love how these perennials thrive in shade and add vibrant color to my outdoor space. Their low-growing nature makes them perfect for borders, and they also attract pollinators.

Planting Brunnera around my pool creates a serene, inviting atmosphere.

Hellebores

elegant blooms for shade

While exploring shade plants for my pool area, I discovered the beauty of Hellebores.

These elegant blooms, often referred to as Christmas roses, thrive in partial to full shade. Their unique flowers can bring a splash of color even in winter.

I love how they create a lush backdrop around the pool, offering both charm and a touch of whimsy to my outdoor space.

Toad Lily

unique poolside flowering plant

If you’re looking for a unique addition to your pool area, consider the Toad Lily.

This plant boasts stunning, speckled flowers that bloom in late summer, adding a pop of color when most other plants are winding down.

It thrives in shady spots, making it perfect for poolside.

Plus, its whimsical appearance is sure to catch the eye of your guests!

Periwinkle

low maintenance shady ground cover

When I think of low-maintenance plants that thrive in shady areas, Periwinkle immediately comes to mind.

This charming ground cover boasts glossy green leaves and lovely blue flowers that brighten up any poolside.

I love how it spreads quickly, creating a lush carpet that’s perfect for softening hardscapes.

Plus, it’s resilient and requires minimal care—ideal for busy garden enthusiasts like me!

Solomon’s Seal

shade loving poolside beauty

Solomon’s Seal is a stunning addition to any shady poolside garden.

Its graceful arching stems and bell-shaped flowers create a serene atmosphere.

I love how it thrives in partial to full shade, making it perfect for those tricky spots around the pool.

Plus, its lush green foliage adds a vibrant touch, enhancing the overall beauty of my outdoor space.

Pulmonaria

lungwort enhances shady beauty

Following the graceful beauty of Solomon’s Seal, Pulmonaria, also known as lungwort, brings a unique charm to shady areas around the pool.

With its striking spotted leaves and clusters of blue or pink flowers, it brightens up the space beautifully.

I love how it thrives in moist soil, adding a lush, vibrant touch that enhances the overall ambiance of my pool area.

Ligularia

bold leaves vibrant blooms

Ligularia, with its bold leaves and striking yellow flowers, adds a stunning focal point to shady poolside settings.

I love how its vibrant blooms contrast beautifully against the dark green foliage. It thrives in moist soil, making it perfect for spots near the pool where water collects.

Plus, the unique texture of its leaves creates visual interest in any garden design.

Pansies

vibrant pansies for shade

When it comes to adding color and charm to shady areas around the pool, pansies are a fantastic choice. Their vibrant hues can brighten up any dull corner, and they thrive in partial shade.

I love how easy they’re to maintain, too! With their delightful fragrance and cheerful blooms, pansies create a welcoming atmosphere that enhances my poolside experience.

Foxglove

elegant whimsical toxic beauty

Foxglove brings a touch of elegance and whimsy to shaded areas around the pool.

I love how its tall, tubular blooms create a stunning vertical element, drawing the eye upward. These plants thrive in partial shade and come in various colors, adding charm to any landscape.

Just be cautious—while beautiful, they’re toxic if ingested, so keep that in mind.

Lobelia

vibrant shade loving pool plants

Lobelia adds a vibrant splash of color to shaded areas around the pool, creating a lively contrast against the greenery.

Lobelia brings vibrant color to shaded pool areas, beautifully contrasting with lush greenery.

I love how its delicate blue, purple, or white flowers brighten up the space.

These low-growing plants thrive in partial shade and attract butterflies, making them a perfect choice.

Plus, they’re easy to maintain, enhancing my poolside oasis effortlessly.

Scott Keller
Scott Keller

Photo of author

Written By Scott Keller

Scott Keller is an experienced pool industry professional with over 20 years of expertise in gunite pool design, construction, and maintenance.

Leave a Comment