Picture this: You’ve recently built the pool of your dreams, surrounded by beautiful green landscaping. But one day you notice that some of your plants are starting to wilt, and you find yourself looking at the nearby water with suspicion. Can pool water kill plants?
The answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. This guide breaks it down for you, answering whether pool water can be harmful to your greenery and how to protect your plants so that both your pool and yard thrive in harmony.
Can Pool Water Kill Plants?
The truth is, it depends. Some plants are more resistant to pool water than others, but in general, it’s not a good idea to water your plants using pool water or expose them to excessive splashing. Pool water, whether treated with chlorine or salt, contains elements that can harm plants over time.
The primary concern with pool water is the chemicals used to keep it clean and safe for swimming. Here are some that can be problematic for plants if exposure is frequent or excessive:
- Chlorine: This can be harmful to plants if applied directly or through excessive splashing. While the chlorine in pool water is typically diluted enough to minimize damage, there is a greater risk of damage whenever fresh chlorine is added to the pool.
- Algaecides: These chemicals control algae growth in your pool but can be toxic to plants and soil microbiomes.
- pH Adjusters: Pool water with altered pH levels can disrupt the pH balance in the soil, making it harder for plants to absorb nutrients.
Can Saltwater Pool Water Kill Plants?
So, what about saltwater pools? The short answer is yes, especially if the plants are exposed repeatedly. While saltwater pools generally have lower salinity than ocean water, salt accumulates in the soil over time, dehydrating plants and causing what’s known as “salt stress.” This can make it difficult for roots to absorb water, eventually leading to wilting or stunted growth.
How Can Pool Water Affect Plants?
Frequent contact with pool water can have noticeable effects on your plants, especially if your yard’s landscaping isn’t designed with your pool in mind. Here are three ways pool water can kill plants over time:
- Burning Leaves: Chlorine and other chemicals in pool water can cause leaf burn, especially on delicate plants or foliage exposed directly to splashes.
- Disruption of Soil pH and Nutrient Balance: While highly diluted pool water is less likely to harm soil, undiluted chlorine can lower soil pH, making it acidic and difficult for plants to uptake nutrients.
- Salt Accumulation: With saltwater pools, salt can build up in the soil, leading to dehydration and eventually damaging root systems.
How to Protect Your Plants Near Your Pool
The good news? With a little planning, you can minimize the impact of pool water on your landscaping. Simple measures like rinsing plants with fresh hose water after accidental splashes can help in the short term.
But the best solution is to get it right from the beginning by designing your pool area thoughtfully, with plant buffers or even hardscapes designed to prevent damage. With careful landscaping, your pool and plants don’t have to be at odds.
Are There Any Plants That Coexist Well With a Pool?
Fortunately, some plants are naturals at coexisting with pool water. When choosing poolside plants, opt for resilient ones that can handle occasional splashing or slightly altered soil conditions.
For those living in Southern Utah and California, here are some local plants that make excellent choices due to their ability to thrive in tough environments:
- Yucca: These versatile plants are stunning to look at and highly tolerant of dry, salty, or nutrient-poor soils.
- California Lilac: Known for its striking blue blooms, this plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-draining soil.
- Agave: A low-maintenance option that provides a modern aesthetic while being extremely hardy against salty or chemically impacted soil.
- Feather Grass: Its soft, flowing texture beautifies any pool area and manages well with minimal care.
Make Landscaping Easier With Taylor Made Pools
The big takeaway here? It’s easier to prevent pool water from killing plants if you don’t already have complicated landscaping that needs to be worked around when designing a new pool. When you’re planning a pool installation, we recommend starting with a clean slate so that both your pool and landscaping can work seamlessly together.
At Taylor Made Pools, we’ll help you design not just the pool, but the landscaping around it, ensuring your plants, patio, and pool all coexist beautifully. Want expert advice? Reach out to us and start building the pool you’ve been dreaming of with our help.