When it comes to creating the perfect poolside landscape in Scottsdale, Phoenix, or Gilbert, it's important to choose plants that not only enhance the beauty of your space but are also eco-friendly and sustainable. With Arizona's hot, arid climate, selecting drought-tolerant plants is key to reducing water consumption while maintaining a lush, attractive environment around your pool. In this guide, we’ll explore some excellent low-water-use plants that are ideal for your poolside, keeping your yard beautiful without overusing precious resources.

Why Choose Low-Water-Use Plants Around Your Pool?

The dry Arizona climate presents challenges for landscaping, but with the right choices, you can create a vibrant poolside garden that requires minimal maintenance and water. Low-water-use plants thrive in the desert heat, saving you time, effort, and water while contributing to an eco-friendly yard. These plants not only enhance the visual appeal of your pool area but also help conserve water, reducing the need for excessive irrigation.

Here are some drought-tolerant plants that are perfect for your Arizona pool landscape.

1. Arizona Rosewood (Vauquelinia californica)

Arizona Rosewood is an evergreen shrub or small tree that adds year-round greenery to your poolside. With its dense foliage and minimal water needs, it serves as an excellent screening plant or hedge.

• Water Needs: Drought-tolerant once established

• Growth Habit: Grows up to 10-15 feet tall, perfect for adding privacy around your pool

• Maintenance: Low maintenance; prune in spring if needed

• Benefits: Requires little water, thrives in full sun, and is a great choice for xeriscaping

2. Blue Bells (Eremophila hygrophana)

Blue Bells is a low-growing shrub that provides a pop of color with its silvery foliage and vibrant blue-violet flowers. This drought-tolerant plant is perfect for rock gardens or as ground cover around your pool.

• Water Needs: Minimal water once established; water more frequently during the hottest months

• Growth Habit: Compact, low-maintenance shrub that grows up to 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide

• Benefits: Heat-tolerant, blooms in spring and sporadically throughout the season, and attracts pollinators like bees

3. Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)

A native desert shrub, Brittlebush thrives in Arizona's dry conditions and brings bright yellow flowers to your poolside during the blooming season. It’s an ideal plant for erosion control and adding color to your landscape.

• Water Needs: Extremely drought-tolerant

• Growth Habit: Grows 2-5 feet tall, with silver-gray foliage and daisy-like yellow flowers

• Maintenance: Minimal pruning required; just remove dead branches occasionally

• Benefits: Low maintenance, attracts pollinators, and requires very little water

4. Chuparosa (Justicia californica)

Chuparosa is known for its vibrant red-to-orange tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. This drought-tolerant shrub adds a burst of color to your poolside landscape.

• Water Needs: Low water needs; drought-tolerant once established

• Growth Habit: Grows up to 4 feet tall, with green stems and brightly colored flowers

• Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds, thrives in full sun, and is ideal for native plant gardens

5. Chihuahuan Rain Sage (Leucophyllum laevigatum)

The Chihuahuan Rain Sage, also known as Purple Rain, is a compact shrub that produces striking purple flowers in response to rain or humidity, making it a colorful addition to any pool landscape.

• Water Needs: Drought-tolerant; requires deep but infrequent watering

• Growth Habit: Grows 3-5 feet tall with silvery foliage and deep purple flowers

• Maintenance: Requires light pruning to maintain shape

• Benefits: Provides vibrant color after rain, attracts pollinators, and is extremely heat-tolerant

6. Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata)

Creosote Bush is a classic desert plant with a distinctive aroma after rain. This evergreen shrub is extremely drought-resistant and thrives in harsh desert conditions.

• Water Needs: Minimal once established

• Growth Habit: Grows up to 8 feet tall with waxy green leaves and yellow flowers

• Maintenance: Little to no pruning required

• Benefits: Extremely hardy, low maintenance, and ideal for native desert landscaping

7. Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia mexicana)

The Mexican Bird of Paradise is a stunning decorative tree or shrub that produces bright yellow flowers from spring to fall. This plant is perfect for adding lush greenery and long-lasting color to your pool area.

• Water Needs: Moderate; more water during growing season but drought-tolerant once established

• Growth Habit: Grows up to 10 feet tall with lush green foliage and yellow flowers

• Maintenance: Requires pruning to shape and remove spent flowers

• Benefits: Long bloom season, attracts hummingbirds, and provides vibrant color to your pool area

8. Little Leaf Cordia (Cordia parvifolia)

Little Leaf Cordia is a drought-tolerant shrub with ornamental white flowers that bloom heavily in the spring. Its silvery foliage makes it a striking addition to poolside landscaping.

• Water Needs: Extremely drought-tolerant once established

• Growth Habit: Evergreen shrub, growing up to 5 feet tall and wide

• Maintenance: Minimal pruning required

• Benefits: Adds texture and color to your pool area while requiring very little water

Creating a Water-Wise Poolside Landscape

In Scottsdale and Phoenix, choosing eco-friendly, drought-tolerant plants around your pool is a smart way to conserve water and reduce maintenance while creating a visually appealing environment. With plants like Arizona Rosewood, Blue Bells, and Brittlebush, you can have a stunning, low-maintenance landscape that thrives in the Arizona heat.

These plants not only enhance the aesthetic of your pool area but also reduce water waste—making them the ideal choice for environmentally conscious homeowners. At The Good Pool Company, we’re here to help you keep your pool in great condition, while you enjoy a sustainable, beautiful landscape that complements your outdoor space.