Best Palm Trees for Pool Area With Landscaping Tips
Choose a non-invasive palm tree variety with moderate height for your poolside. They provide you shade as well as some privacy along with amplifying the ambiance of your pool area.
Some of the best varieties of palm trees to plant around a pool include Mexican blue fan palms, Pygmy Palms, Sago Palms, Pindo Palms, and Mediterranean fan palms.
These varieties of Palm trees can be a great choice for areas around pool areas, as they provide a natural and tropical feel. They provide shade with their fronds to provide a more private atmosphere.
Palm trees around pools can also be a great way to add a bit of color and texture to the pool area.
Today, we will talk in more detail about the varieties of palm trees that are ideal for pool areas and also learn about some factors to consider while planting these trees around swimming pools.
Should You Plant Palm Trees Around A Pool?
Yes, you can definitely consider planting palm tree varieties around a pool. Apart from adding to the aesthetic value, Palm trees can make a great addition to any pool area by providing shade and a certain degree of privacy & seclusion.
In addition to that, they also provide a tropical feel to the space and assist in creating a more inviting environment.
However, while planting palm trees near pools, it is important to be aware of the tree’s root systems and ensure that they are not planted too close to the pool, as this could cause damage over time.
It is crucial to make sure the area is well-drained and there is enough space between the trees to prevent overcrowding.
Best Palm Trees for Pool Area
If you wish to plant palm trees nearby your pool, then some of the best varieties for pool areas are Mediterranean fan palms, Pygmy Date Palms, and Mexican blue fan palms.
They are perfect for pool areas because they can provide shade and a tropical look with minimal effort. They are easy to maintain and provide a nice, tropical look.
All of these palms are perfect for adding a touch of the tropics to your pool area and will be sure to create a beautiful and inviting atmosphere.
A. Mediterranean Fan Palm
Mediterranean fan palms are native to the Mediterranean region and the Atlantic coast of Africa. They are drought tolerant and can tolerate temperatures ranging from -22°F to over 100°F.
The Mediterranean fan palm grows up to 20 feet tall, with a spread of up to 10 feet wide. Its fan-shaped fronds are gray-green in color and can reach up to 3 feet long.
The Mediterranean fan palm is an excellent choice for adding texture and interest to a landscape.
B. Mexican Blue Fan Palm
Mexican blue fan palms are a species of palm tree native to Mexico. They are slow-growing and can reach heights of up to 25 feet. The fronds of these palms are silvery-blue in color and fan-shaped, giving the tree its common name.
The leaves can grow to be up to four feet long and are very stiff and rigid. These palms are drought tolerant and prefer full sun and well-drained soil and are often considered the best palm trees for pool areas in warm climates.
C. Pindo Palm
Pindo palms are a species of palm tree native to the southern part of South America. They are known for their attractive, feather-shaped fronds and striking yellow fruit.
They are drought-tolerant and can survive in a variety of soil types, making them an ideal choice for coastal and inland gardens in warm climates.
Pindo palms prefer full sun and well-drained soil and can reach heights of up to 15 feet. They are slow-growing and can live for up to 50 years.
D. Sago Palm
Sago palms are a species of cycad native to Japan and Southeast Asia. They are evergreen perennials with a single trunk, pinnate leaves, and a terminal crown of glossy green “leaves”.
The sago palm varieties are a very popular ornamental plant grown in many tropical and subtropical climates. They are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants that can be grown in a variety of soils and light conditions.
The sago palm typically lives for about 20-25 years and can grow to a full height of 6-10 feet.
E. Pygmy Palm
Pygmy palms are evergreen and can reach heights of 10 to 12 feet, with a spread of 6 to 8 feet. They have fan-shaped leaves and produce small yellow or white flowers.
Pygmy palms typically live between 5 and 10 years in the landscape, although some can live longer with proper care.
Queen Palm, Areca Palm, King Palm, and Bottle Palm are some other varieties of plants you can consider planting around pool areas.
Related: Outdoor Palm Varieties | Small Palm Tree Types
Factors To Consider Before Planting Palms Around Pool Areas
Climate, space, and location are some of the most important things or factors to consider before planting a palm tree around a pool. These factors along with other things that need to be noted have been discussed below:
1. Climate: Ensure that the climate of your location is suitable for the species of palm tree you are planting. They prefer a tropical or subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, wet winters.
2. Location: Palms typically need full sun to thrive and grow, so if the area around the pool is shaded, then it may be better to choose a different kind of tree.
3. Plant size: The size of the palm tree should be based on the size of the pool and the surrounding area. Generally, it is recommended to choose a palm tree that is no taller than 15 feet so that it does not overshadow the pool and surrounding area.
Palm trees that are too tall are also more subjected to being struck with lightning which in turn can cause damage to residential pool areas.
4. Invasiveness: The best Palm trees around pools will be the ones with non-invasive roots. Mostly the roots of palm trees tend to be invasive. Some palm trees have shallow root systems that can cause damage to pool walls and equipment, while others have deep root systems that can cause cracking and other damage to the pool and its surroundings.
Therefore, it is recommended to choose a palm tree with a root system that is not likely to cause damage to the pool area.
Additionally, it is a good idea to install root barriers to help contain the tree’s roots and prevent them from intruding into the pool area.
5. Privacy needs: The kind of privacy you want will determine the size and variety of palm trees you should plant. If the trees are large enough and planted in the right places, they can create a private oasis around the pool.
However, if they are too small, they may not provide much privacy. Additionally, if they are planted too close together, they may block views of the pool. In order to ensure privacy, it is important to choose the right size and placement of palm trees.
6. Tree droppings: Palm tree droppings can be a nuisance in pool areas. They are large and can be slippery. It is best to remove them regularly with a leaf blower or broom.
To reduce the number of droppings, it’s a good idea to prune the palm trees regularly to keep them from dropping too much debris. Additionally, using a debris cover over the pool can help keep the area clean.
7. Maintenance: Maintenance of palm trees around a pool area includes regular pruning, fertilizing, and watering. Pruning should be done once or twice a year to maintain the desired shape and size of palm trees.
Fertilizer should be applied twice a year – once in the spring and again in late summer. When applying fertilizer, it should be spread evenly around the base of the tree.
Watering should be done every week or two, depending on the weather conditions. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. If the soil is allowed to dry out, it could cause the roots to become damaged and the palm tree to die.
Related: Palm Tree Growth Rate | Palm Tree Lifespan
Landscaping Ideas With Palms Around Pools
Some quick landscaping ideas around the pool could be to:
Create a Tropical Pathway: Place some palm palms on either side of the pool and create a stepping-stone pathway.
Place a Large Fountain in the Center of the Pool: A large fountain in the center of the pool surrounded by palm trees can provide a unique touch to your pool. The calming sound of the water fountain can also help to create a relaxing ambiance.
Add a Fire Pit: A fire pit in the middle of the pool surrounded by palm trees is a great way to add ambiance and warmth to the area. This can be used for entertaining guests or simply enjoying the beauty of the pool at night.
Add a Waterfall Feature: A waterfall feature surrounded by palm trees will add a unique touch to your pool. This can also provide a soothing sound and the movement of the water will create a beautiful visual effect.
Points To Remember for Planting The Best Palms Around Pool Area
Keep the following points in mind while planting Palm trees around swimming pools:
- Plant palms away from the pool and from each other, as falling fronds can clog filters and create additional maintenance.
- Pick a palm tree that won’t grow too tall, as this might obstruct the view of the pool.
- Amend soil with rich organic matter to help palms get established and promote healthy growth.
- Maintain regular watering for established palms to keep them healthy and free of disease.
- Remove any dead or damaged fronds to keep palms looking tidy and reduce the risk of disease.
- Check palms regularly for signs of pests and diseases, and take appropriate action promptly.
Myths and Facts About Palm Trees Around Pool
Q. How far should trees be from a pool?
Ans. Trees should be at least 8 to 10 feet away from a pool. This will help to prevent leaves or other debris from clogging the pool filter or falling into the pool. It will also help to reduce the risk of branches or other debris falling into the pool during a storm.
You can learn in detail about palm tree spacing here.
Q. Can tree roots ruin a pool?
Ans.Yes, the roots of even the best Palm trees around pools can ruin the pool. If the roots grow too close to the pool they can damage the pool walls and the liner, and can even cause the pool to shift and become unstable.
Q. Are golden cane palms good around a pool?
Ans.Yes, golden cane palms can be a good option to plant around the pool area. They are hardy and low-maintenance and their striking yellow leaves provide a nice contrast to the surrounding area.
Additionally, they are salt-tolerant, so even if you have a saltwater pool, they won’t be adversely affected.
- What is best to put around an inground pool?
- The best palm tree varieties to plant around in-ground pools are:
- King Palm
- Maypan Coconut Palm
- Canary Island Date Palm
- Windmill Palm
- Pygmy Date Palm
Q. What should you not plant around a pool?
Ans. Cottonwood, Poplar, Willow tree varieties, Sycamore trees, and Eucalyptus trees are some of the worst trees you can plant around a pool.
