I always think pool areas look a bit bare when there’s no greenery. Even just one or two planters can make the whole thing feel softer, like it’s part of the garden instead of a patch of concrete. The trick is finding poolside planter ideas that can handle water, sun, and the occasional splash without falling apart. These ones are all easy to do, low effort, and don’t need fancy tools.
1 | Tall Planters for Privacy
A friend of mine used tall black planters with bamboo near her pool fence.
She said it gave her a bit of privacy without blocking the view completely.
The bamboo grew fast and rustled a little in the wind, which made the space feel calm.
Just make sure the planter is weighted at the bottom so it doesn’t tip over in strong gusts.
You can find tall planters like that pretty easily online or at hardware stores.
2 | Concrete Blocks Turned Into Planters
Old concrete blocks make great DIY low wall planters by the pool.
The blocks don’t need sealing because they can handle splashes.
If you line the top row with smaller pots, it’s easier to swap plants later. It’s a quick project you can finish in an hour.
3 | Plastic Storage Bins as Hidden Planters
You know those storage bins you always end up with too many of?
You can turn one into a big poolside planter by drilling drainage holes and wrapping it with jute or reed fencing.
Perfect for trailing plants that can spill over the edge.
4 | Herb Planters Near the Pool Seating
Herbs sound weird for pool areas, but mint and rosemary actually smell amazing in the heat.
My mom keeps hers near the pool steps in small terracotta pots.
You can grab a few cuttings anytime for drinks or food. It makes the whole place feel lived in.
5 | Painted Galvanized Buckets
Old galvanized buckets make great poolside planters. If they’re dented, even better.
You can drill a small hole at the bottom for drainage.
If you use plants like lavender then it’s a great way of keeping bees away from the pool naturally as they aren’t a fan of strong scents.
6 | Planters Made from Leftover Deck Boards
If you have spare decking boards from a pool renovation, use them to build square planters.
My friend did this after redoing her pool deck and it matched perfectly.
She kept them low, about knee height, and lined them with plastic so the wood wouldn’t rot.
They looked custom but were just scrap wood really. It tied the whole space together.
7 | Terra Cotta Pots Grouped Together
Sometimes just grouping a few pots works better than one big one.
You can mix sizes and heights to fill a corner.
I did this last summer with ferns and snake plants and it made the space feel fuller without blocking the walkway.
The terra cotta does fade a little in the sun, but I kind of like that weathered look.
Easy to move if you want to rearrange later.
8 | Rolling Planters for Shade Plants
If your pool gets harsh sun, it’s smart to put shade plants in rolling planters so you can move them around.
My cousin has wheeled planters for palms that she drags under the awning when it gets too hot.
You can get the rolling bases separately if you already have large pots.
Makes watering easier too because you can roll them toward the hose.
9 | Hanging Buckets on Fence Panels
If your pool is fenced, hang a few small metal buckets along the inside for herbs or succulents.
You can do this with S-hooks.
The buckets drip a bit after watering, but that’s fine since it’s near the pool anyway.
You can paint them all the same color for a tidy look. It’s the simplest upgrade ever.
10 | Pallet Planter Wall
You can make a quick vertical planter using an old pallet leaned against the pool fence.
Line the inside with landscaping fabric and fill it with soil. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just stable.
Add small plants that can trail down, like ivy or strawberries.
11 | Old Wheelbarrow Planter
If you’ve got an old wheelbarrow lying around, don’t toss it.
Fill it with soil and use it as a mobile planter by the pool.
You can mix succulents and a few ornamental grasses.
It’s a quirky way of reusing old “junk” you have lying around the garden.
12 | Large Plastic Tubs Disguised with Rope
You can wrap thick rope around a cheap plastic tub with hot glue to make a coastal-looking planter.
It takes about twenty minutes.
It’s a great way of making plain plastic planters look way more expensive than they are.
They hold up well to pool water too. Great for tall plants like small palms or grasses.
13 | Built-In Corner Planters
If you’re redoing your pool deck, add a couple of corner planters built right into the concrete edge.
My cousin did this and filled them with hardy plants like yucca.
It breaks up the space nicely and doesn’t need maintenance.
The best part is no one trips over them because they’re flush with the surface.
14 | Small Raised Beds Along the Fence
You can build narrow raised beds along the pool fence using leftover bricks.
It doesn’t take much effort but it will look like a professional landscape job.
The bricks don’t mind getting wet and they heat up in the sun, which keeps roots dry.
15 | Recycled Plastic Barrel Poolside Planter
Cut a plastic barrel in half and you’ve got two large planters.
My friend did this and painted them in soft grey to match her pool tiles.
Drill holes at the bottom for drainage and that’s it.
You can plant even large shrubs in these without spending much.
16 | Stone-Lined Planter Bowls
You can make shallow planters using stone or concrete bowls.
They look great filled with succulents and small pebbles on top.
They sit low and don’t block the pool view.
Perfect if you just want a hint of green without tall plants.
17 | Wooden Crate Poolside Planter
Old wooden crates are easy to repurpose into planters.
Just line them with a plastic bag or cut-up tarp.
My friend used apple crates for hers and kept them stacked two high.
The wood faded beautifully after a few weeks in the sun.
18 | Simple Ceramic Pots with Cacti
Cacti do well by pools because they like heat and don’t care about the occasional splash.
I saw someone mix a few sizes of ceramic pots in soft beige tones and it looked very natural.
You don’t have to do much except water once in a while.
Tip: Just be careful placing them near where kids play, the spines can be sharp.
19 | Planters with Fairy Lights
You can wrap battery lights around planters for evening swims.
I tried this last year with two tall pots near the steps.
It gave off a soft glow and made the whole space feel calm without being too much.
The batteries lasted all summer. It’s an easy thing to do when guests are coming over last minute.
20 | Built-In Bench Planters
If you have a built-in bench near your pool, carve out a corner spot for a small planter.
My friend’s husband did this accidentally when the decking boards didn’t fit right, and it ended up looking intentional.
She planted rosemary in it and now everyone asks about it.
Sometimes mistakes make the best features.
21 | Plastic Barrel with a Fountain Insert Poolside Planter
A great easy DIY poolside project is turning a barrel planter into a small bubbling fountain beside your pool.
It’s not complicated, just a small pump and a plug socket. You can buy those little kits here.
22 | Planters on Top of Retaining Walls
If your pool sits lower than the yard, use the retaining wall for planters.
A friend placed rectangular planters along hers and planted lavender and rosemary.
The scent was noticeable when the sun hit them.
She said it also kept bugs away a bit. Simple, low effort, and tidy.
23 | Planter Boxes with Casters
Planter boxes on wheels are practical if you like changing things up.
They’re just wooden boxes with small caster wheels from the hardware store.
You can fill them with tall grasses or dwarf palms. They’re also low maintenance as you can move them under the patio when it rains, so they last longer.
