A beautiful pool deserves equally beautiful surroundings. In Tucson and Southern Arizona, the best poolside landscapes work with the desert environment, using plants that thrive in our heat and soil without creating constant maintenance headaches or dropping debris into your water.

At Pools by Design, we think about the complete outdoor space from the very beginning. Here is how to landscape around your Tucson pool the smart way.

Choose Low-Litter Plants

Your first criterion for any plant near a pool should be how much it drops into the water. Heavy leaf-shedders, seed producers, and plants with berries or pods are maintenance nightmares poolside. Stick to plants with fine foliage or minimal drop, and your skimmer will thank you.

Native and Desert-Adapted Stars

The Arizona Native Plant Society is a tremendous resource for identifying beautiful, pool-compatible plants for Southern Arizona landscapes. A few of our favorites include:

Desert Willow: Graceful, low-litter, and covered in trumpet blooms all summer.
Palo Verde: Arizona’s state tree provides light, dappled shade and a striking yellow bloom in spring.
Agave: Architectural and dramatic, perfect as an accent plant away from high-traffic areas.
Lantana: A low-water groundcover that blooms prolifically and attracts butterflies all season.
Bougainvillea: Trained on a fence or pergola near the pool, it creates a breathtaking wall of color.

Work With Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite, or DG, is a versatile hardscape material that reduces irrigation needs, complements the desert palette, and creates clean transitions between your pool deck and planting areas. Used thoughtfully alongside your other hardscape and patio surfaces, it gives your backyard a natural, cohesive look that requires minimal maintenance.

Plan for Shade

Strategic shade planting on the west and south sides of your pool reduces afternoon glare and can help reduce evaporation. It also extends the usability of your pool deck during peak summer heat. Native mesquites and palo verdes can provide excellent filtered shade when properly placed with consideration for mature size, roots, and pool infrastructure.

Trees take years to deliver real coverage, which is why most Tucson backyards pair planting with a built shade structure that works from day one.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Skip eucalyptus, messy palms, mulberries, and cottonwoods near the pool. These trees can drop significant debris and create additional work for your filtration system. Also avoid plants with thorns or heavy pollen in high-traffic areas, and keep root-aggressive species well away from pool plumbing.

At Pools by Design, we design pools and outdoor living spaces as a cohesive whole. Schedule a complimentary consultation and discover what your Southern Arizona backyard is truly capable of.