Must-Try Planters for Your Pool Area

(aka How I Almost Flooded My Patio With a Giant Aloe Vera Pot)

image by pixabay

So, last summer—yes, the “oh-we’re-just-gonna-do-a-small-backyard-refresh” summer—I made a bold move: I decided our pool area needed vibes. Not floaties or string lights (though those happened too, lol)… but planters. Chic, architectural, maybe even low maintenance (ha!).

Look, I had a Pinterest board full of dreamy inspo—tall terracotta urns, boho woven baskets spilling with ferns, even one with what looked like a literal mini tree beside a pool waterfall. I was ready.

Lesson 1: Not All Pots Belong by the Pool

I started with this giant ceramic beauty I found during an impulsive HomeGoods run. It looked like something you’d see in a Greek island resort. I popped in a succulent arrangement, watered generously… and BAM. The next morning, there was a puddle the size of Rhode Island seeping down our pool deck. Note to self: drainage holes are not optional.

Go for Lightweight Over “Look What I Can’t Move Alone”

 

After almost breaking my back repositioning a concrete monstrosity I was “so sure about,” I realized: resin and fiberglass planters are where it’s at. They look like stone but don’t require Olympic training to shift around. I found a few that fooled everyone—until they tapped them. (Still pretty though.)

Tropical Plants = Drama (the good kind)

 

Once I finally figured out the planter game, it was time for plants. Birds of paradise, rubber plants, majesty palms… yes please. They create that vacationy lushness that makes you feel like you should be sipping something with a mini umbrella. Bonus: they thrive in heat. Downside: some of them also shed like my golden retriever in July.

Group ‘Em Like You Mean It

Single planters are cool, but grouping them? Chef’s kiss. I tried mixing heights and textures—like a woven basket-style next to a sleek matte black one—and suddenly the space felt intentional, not “oops, leftover nursery clearance bin.” I even added a little side table planter hybrid that now holds both a jade plant and someone’s abandoned sunglasses.

Herbs? Actually Genius

I threw in some lavender, mint, and rosemary—mostly because I panicked and overbought—but now I can’t imagine the space without them. They smell amazing and make me feel very Pinterest-homestead chic. Plus, mojitos on demand. Win.

Try These Vibe-Boosting Planters (aka my final winners):

Textured white resin cylinder planters

Woven faux-rattan baskets (lined to avoid soil disasters)

Matte black tall planters for drama

Tiered plant stands for layering (and saving deck space)

Hanging macrame planters for trailing vines

(I won’t pretend I figured this out overnight. There were casualties—a sunburned fern, an overwatered snake plant, and a ceramic planter that met a tragic end via soccer ball.)

Final Thought
Your pool area doesn’t need to look like a luxury resort—but a few well-placed planters do go a long way in making it feel a little extra magical. Just… don’t skip the drainage holes. Trust me.

P.S. Got a favorite plant you swear by for your patio or pool zone? Or a planter hack I need to try? Drop it in the comments—I’m always experimenting (and failing. And fixing it. And re-doing it again).