Low-Maintenance Plants for Around Your Pool in Chattanooga, Tennessee
If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in Chattanooga, you know it becomes the center of summer fun. But when it comes to landscaping, you don’t want to spend more time cleaning up leaves and debris than you do swimming. The key is choosing full sun, low-maintenance plants that can handle our hot Tennessee summers, stand up to splashes, and still look beautiful all season long.
Here are some poolside plant ideas that thrive in our area:
🌿 Ornamental Grasses: Effortless Structure & Movement
Ornamental grasses are perfect for adding height, texture, and that relaxing rustling sound in the breeze.
Pink Muhly Grass – famous for its airy pink blooms in fall.
Fountain Grass – soft, arching plumes that look great in groups.
Miscanthus (Maiden Grass) – bold and architectural, adds privacy too.
These grasses are drought-tolerant, low-mess, and won’t clutter your pool with constant leaf drop.
🌸 Perennials That Pop Without the Fuss
Perennials bring long-lasting color without the need to replant every year.
Daylilies – dependable bloomers that thrive in full sun.
Coreopsis – cheerful yellow blooms, low-maintenance, and pollinator-friendly.
Russian Sage – silvery foliage with tall purple flowers that love heat and sun.
Catmint & Yarrow – fragrant, drought-resistant, and long-lasting color.
These plants bring vibrant life to your pool area while being easy to maintain.
🌱 Groundcovers for Splash Zones
Near the pool edge, choose plants that can handle a little water and foot traffic.
Sedum (Stonecrop) – low, colorful, and practically indestructible.
Creeping Thyme – fragrant, low-growing, and blooms with tiny flowers.
Creeping Rosemary – adds a touch of Mediterranean flair with evergreen leaves.
These are perfect for filling gaps and keeping weeds down.
🌺 Add a Tropical Vibe
Want your backyard to feel like a resort? Go bold with tropical-style plants.
Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo) – dramatic leaves, surprisingly cold-hardy here.
Canna Lilies – vibrant flowers and big foliage for instant impact.
Hardy Hibiscus – giant blooms that scream summer vacation.
Plant them in containers for flexibility—you can move them around or overwinter indoors if needed.
🌲 Evergreen Anchors
For year-round greenery and structure:
Dragon Prince Cryptomeria – compact, sun-loving, and low-maintenance.
Use evergreens to frame your pool and balance out seasonal blooms.
Pro Design Tips for Poolside Plants
Mix and Match: Combine grasses, perennials, succulents, and evergreens for balance.
Think Clean: Avoid messy plants that drop lots of leaves or petals into the pool.
Plan for Heat & Humidity: Stick with plants proven to thrive in Chattanooga’s Zone 7 climate.
Use Containers: Great for tropicals and succulents, plus they’re easy to rearrange.
Final Thoughts
Creating a poolside landscape that’s both beautiful and low-maintenance is all about plant choice. By using drought-tolerant, sun-loving, and splash-resistant plants, you’ll enjoy a lush and inviting pool area without all the extra cleanup.
🌞 Ready to turn your pool into a low-maintenance paradise? Call Full Circle Land Design today at 423-385-4955 or go to our Contact Page to fill out a form.