Your pool may be clean and usable, but the space around it still feels plain. You look at resort photos and wonder why your backyard does not give the same feeling.
In Marietta, the challenge is real. Summer heat is strong, storms hit fast, and winters can surprise plants that look “tropical” online.
The good news is you can still build that lush, vacation-like look with the right mix of planting layers, shade, and pool-safe materials.
This guide gives you tropical pool landscaping ideas you can copy, plus practical rules so the space stays easy to maintain and looks good season after season.
Quick look
Tropical pool landscaping in Georgia combines bold leaves, layered greenery, and plants suited to the climate, ensuring less maintenance.
Start with privacy needs, shade priorities, and maintenance tolerance to shape the design.
Use plants that don’t shed heavily near the pool edge; keep lush plants a few feet back for easy cleanup.
Create functional zones like the hot zone, prep space, and serve area to improve usability and safety.
Higginbotham Designs helps you plan and implement your tropical pool landscape, from layout to plant and hardscape choices.
What “Tropical Pool Landscaping” Means in Georgia
“Tropical pool landscaping” creates a lush, bold look with layered greenery and bold leaves, suited to Georgia’s climate. It involves two approaches:
True tropical plants with winter planning: Dramatic but need protection in colder months.
Tropical-inspired plants: Lush texture with better winter tolerance.
Avoid heavy-littering plants near the pool’s edge. Place lush plants farther back to minimize cleanup while framing the pool.
Next, you will pick three simple choices that shape the whole tropical look.
Start With 3 Choices That Decide the Whole Look
1) How private do you want the space to feel?
Open and social: fewer tall screens, wider views, easier supervision for kids.
Resort hideaway: layered planting that blocks sight lines where you sit.
2) Where do you need shade the most?
Pool areas can be harsh in late afternoon sun. Decide if your priority is:
a shaded lounge zone near seating
a mix of shade and sun, so the space works in more seasons
3) How much maintenance are you willing to do?
Low-stress tropical look: cleaner edges, fewer heavy shedders near the pool.
Lush and hands-on: denser planting with more trimming and seasonal care.
Now that you have direction, we can move into the top tropical landscaping around pool ideas you can copy.
Top 15 Tropical Pool Landscaping Ideas
You are not looking for “pretty concepts.” You need ideas you can actually build. Each idea below includes a simple layout you can copy, plant examples that suit Georgia better, and a practical note that helps it work around a real pool.
Group A: Lush Depth and Privacy Escape Ideas
Idea 1: Layer Plants for Lush Depth (The 3-Layer Recipe)
What it is: Build a “tropical wall” using three layers: tall backdrop, mid-layer texture, and low edge plants.
Practical note: Dense planting looks lush, but it needs breathing room so it stays healthy and easy to clean.
Copyable setup:
Keep the first planting line 4–6 feet back from the pool edge for easier maintenance.
Back layer (tall): cold-tolerant palms like windmill palm or needle palm, or a low-mess evergreen screen.
Middle layer (texture): hardy hibiscus, ligustrum ‘sunshine’, loropetalum, and other bold-leaf plants.
Front edge (low): dwarf mondo grass, liriope, or low groundcovers to keep borders neat.
Do this, not that: Use curved beds that frame seating. Avoid stiff straight lines that feel like a hedge wall.
Idea 2: Privacy Only Where You Sit (Resort Screen Zone)
What it is: Create one privacy “backdrop” behind loungers or seating, not a full pool ring.
Practical note: Privacy works best when it is targeted. Screen the lounge zone first, then stop.
Copyable setup:
Build a 10–16 foot planting screen behind the main seating zone using:
Tall structure: palms or upright evergreens
Mid filler: flowering shrubs for color
Low edge: clean border planting for a tidy line
Add one accent at the end (a boulder or oversized planter) so it looks finished.
Do this, not that: Do not block sight lines near pool entry steps. Keep those areas open.
Idea 3: Palm Look Without the Risk (Hardy Palms + “Palm Feel” Plants)
What it is: Use cold-hardy palms as accents, then support them with palm-like plants for texture.
Practical note: Strong “tropical” impact comes from placement. You only need a few anchors in the right spots.
Copyable setup:
Use 2–3 palms as anchors at: a far pool corner, behind seating, and near dining.
Pair each anchor with bold-leaf support plants and a low border for a clean edge.
If you want banana-style drama, use it as a seasonal accent in a protected spot.
Do this, not that: Avoid placing frond-heavy plants right on narrow walk paths where they get bumped and torn.
Idea 4: One “Jungle Corner” Retreat (Big Impact, Less Mess)
What it is: Create one dense, tropical-looking corner instead of planting heavily around the entire pool.
Practical note: Concentrating the lush look in one spot keeps the design dramatic without increasing cleanup everywhere.
Copyable setup:
Pick the corner that is most visible from the back door or main seating.
Build a layered pocket: tall anchors in back, bold texture in the middle, clean, low border in front.
Add one simple feature inside the pocket, like a boulder or a low bench, so it feels intentional.
Do this, not that: Do not place the jungle corner beside the pool skimmer side if leaf pickup is already a pain.
Idea 5: Private Retreat Seating Nook Behind Greenery
What it is: Tuck a small seating nook behind planting so it feels like a hidden getaway near the pool.
Practical note: A nook works best when it has a clear path and just enough screening to feel separate, not closed off.
Copyable setup:
Use two loungers or two chairs with a small side table. Keep the footprint compact.
Place taller plants behind the nook, then medium plants on the sides, leaving the front more open.
Add soft lighting near the path so it feels safe and usable at night.
Do this, not that: Avoid spiky plants along the entry path. Keep the approach comfortable in bare feet.
Idea 6: Dine Amid the Greenery (Dining Zone Wrapped in Lush Beds)
What it is: Set the dining area slightly away from the coping, then frame it with tropical-style planting.
Practical note: Dining feels more “resort” when the table is buffered from open yard views, but still has airflow.
Copyable setup:
Leave a clean, hard surface border around the dining set for chair movement.
Place planting behind and to the sides, not directly under where food and drinks sit.
Use one bold accent plant near the corner of the dining zone to anchor the view.
Do this, not that: Do not surround all sides with tall plants. Keep one side lower so the area stays open and comfortable.
Group B: Shade, Comfort, and Low-Stress Poolside Living
Idea 7: Build Shaded Retreats With a Pergola
What it is: Add a pergola or arbor near the pool to create a clear shade zone, then soften it with tropical-style planting.
Practical note: Shade feels best when it is placed where you already sit, not where it looks good on a plan.
Copyable setup:
Position the pergola over a lounge set or two loungers, not over the pool edge.
Use climbing plants on one side only if you want shade without trapping the space.
Frame the posts with layered planting so the structure looks integrated, not dropped in.
Do this, not that: Do not block the main pool view with thick vines. Keep the center line open.
Idea 8: Bold, Heat-Tolerant Foliage Color Blocks
What it is: Use bold-leaf plants in grouped “blocks” to create a tropical impact without needing many species.
Practical note: A few strong shapes look more tropical than a mix of small plants that feel busy.
Copyable setup:
Choose two or three foliage looks: one tall and upright, one broad-leaf, and one low border.
Repeat the same plant group in two spots to make the design feel planned.
Keep the boldest plants a bit back, and use low, clean borders near walk paths.
Do this, not that: Avoid scattering single plants like dots. Group in clusters so the look reads lush and intentional.
Idea 9: Use Oversized Containers for Instant Tropical Impact
What it is: Place large planters near seating, corners, or entry points to create a tropical pool landscape feel fast.
Practical note: Containers let you control mess and placement without digging up the whole yard.
Copyable setup:
Use two matching oversized planters to frame a view, such as the pool entry or a lounge zone.
Fill each with one “hero” plant (tall or bold-leaf) and a simple low filler to hide soil.
Keep planters off narrow walk paths so they do not feel like obstacles.
Do this, not that: Do not use many small pots. A few large containers look cleaner and more premium.
Idea 10: Soft, Clean Edges That Keep Mulch Out of the Pool
What it is: Build a clean border between planting beds and the pool deck, so soil and mulch stay in place.
Practical note: A tropical look fails fast when debris constantly washes onto the coping and into the water.
Copyable setup:
Use a defined edge such as stone, metal edging, or a low hardscape border.
Keep a narrow “clean strip” of hard surface between beds and the pool deck where possible.
Choose low groundcovers at the bed edge to reduce splash and erosion.
Do this, not that: Do not rely on mulch alone as the edge. It moves and ends up where you do not want it.
Idea 11: Tropical Path to the Pool (Stepping Stones + Plant Pockets)
What it is: Create a simple path that feels like a walk into a resort zone, not a straight line through grass.
Practical note: A path gives structure and keeps foot traffic from wearing down planting beds.
Copyable setup:
Run stepping stones from the back door or patio to the pool entry point.
Add planting pockets along one side of the path to create a lush “arrival” feel.
Keep the planting low near the stepping surface so it does not brush bare legs.
Do this, not that: Do not make the stones too close together or too far apart. Test the spacing by walking it.
Group C: Resort Features That Finish the Look
Idea 12: Incorporate a Water Feature (Small Spillway or Bubbler)
What it is: Add a small water feature near the pool edge or within a nearby bed to create a resort-like sound.
Practical note: A smaller feature often feels more natural in a backyard than a large cascade.
Copyable setup:
Place the feature where you sit most, so you hear it while lounging and dining.
Surround it with bold-leaf planting, but keep access open for service.
Use lighting aimed at the water surface for a soft night effect.
Do this, not that: Do not hide the feature behind dense planting. Make it visible from at least one main viewpoint.
Idea 13: Add Hardscape Structure (Stone Borders, Planter Walls, Ledges)
What it is: Use hardscape elements to give tropical landscaping around swimming pools a clean, built-in framework.
Practical note: Structure makes lush planting look intentional and helps control soil movement.
Copyable setup:
Add a low planter wall behind a lounge zone, then plant in layers above it.
Use stone borders to define beds and keep lines clean around the deck.
Add a sitting ledge in one spot so guests have a place to perch without extra chairs.
Do this, not that: Do not mix too many stone styles. One consistent look across borders and walls is enough.
Idea 14: Install Mood-Setting Lighting (Leaves, Water, and Steps)
What it is: Use lighting to highlight tropical shapes and guide movement after dark.
Practical note: The best pool lighting plan feels calm. It guides you without glare.
Copyable setup:
Add low path lights near the pool entry and steps.
Uplight one or two “hero plants” to create shadow and texture.
If you have a water feature, add one soft light aimed at the moving water.
Do this, not that: Do not aim bright lights at seated faces. Keep lighting lower and indirect.
Idea 15: Enhance With Tropical Accents (Color, Texture, Small Details)
What it is: Add a few tropical accents that make the space feel styled, not unfinished.
Practical note: Accents work best when they support the main look, not when they compete with it.
Copyable setup:
Pick one simple color direction for cushions and planters, then repeat it in two or three spots.
Add one statement element near seating, such as a woven outdoor screen panel or a textured outdoor rug.
Use natural textures like wood-look pieces, stone, and woven materials to keep the look relaxed.
Do this, not that: Do not scatter many themes. One clear style feels more premium than a mix.
Transform your backyard into a tropical getaway with a consultation from Higginbotham Designs. Get expert help with layout, privacy planting, poolside beds, hardscape, and water features.
Poolside Plant and Layout Rules, So It Stays Safe and Low-Mess
Pool-friendly traits:
Clean growers that don't shed constantly.
Soft edges near walk paths or seating.
Strong structure that holds shape, not collapsing.
Easy trimming without weekly work.
Poolside red flags:
Heavy shedders near coping or skimmer side.
Spiky plants near steps, ladders, and narrow paths.
Fruit/pod droppers near decking or seating.
Plants that flop into walking space.
Layout rules:
Keep access clear to pool equipment and shutoffs.
Maintain sight lines to pool entry points for safety.
Place lush beds a few feet back from the waterline, with neat borders near the deck.
Now that plant placement is clear, the next step is keeping water and soil from undoing the look.
Bring the Resort Look Home With Higginbotham Designs
Tropical landscaping around swimming pools looks best when planting, borders, and features are planned together. That is what turns a pool area from “nice” into a backyard that feels finished.
Higginbotham Designs is a family-owned and veteran-owned team based in Marietta, Georgia, with 35-plus years of experience designing and building outdoor spaces.
How their services help implement these ideas
Landscape design: plans lush layers, privacy screens, and poolside zones that feel balanced.
Landscaping: installs planting beds and finishes edges so the space looks clean, not messy.
Hardscape installation: adds borders, paths, and structure that keep soil and mulch out of the pool area.
Water features: build resort-style sound and focal points that pair well with tropical planting.
Retaining walls: help control grade changes when pool areas need stronger edge support.
Service areas include Marietta, East Cobb, West Cobb, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Roswell, and Acworth.
Transform your pool into a relaxing retreat with lush layers, privacy, and shade. Start small, focus on key zones, and control runoff with borders.
For a custom tropical pool landscape in Marietta, contact Higginbotham Designs.
FAQs
1. How close can plants be to the pool edge?
Keep a clear maintenance strip near the coping. Place fuller planting a few feet back so leaves and mulch do not end up in the water.
2. What plants should you avoid near the pool entry steps?
Avoid anything spiky, thorny, or that flops into walk paths. Keep the entry zone open and easy in bare feet.
3. Can you get a tropical look without planting a lot?
Yes. One dense “tropical corner,” a few bold accent plants, and good lighting can create the feel without filling every edge.
4. How do you keep mulch from washing onto the deck?
Use defined bed edging and low groundcovers at the border. Keep beds graded so water does not push soil toward the pool.
5. What is the easiest way to refresh the look each season?
Trim back overgrowth, clean bed edges, swap container accents, and replace a few focal plants instead of redoing the full planting plan.
