Plants for a pool area: 8 non-climbable picks

The right plants for a pool area are low, soft and easy to keep trimmed. Nothing a small child could grip or stand on. Queensland law sets a 900mm non-climbable zone around your pool barrier. Choose plants that stay clear of that rule and your garden can look lush and still pass inspection.

Rob spent 20 years designing and building pool fences before he became a QBCC licensed pool safety inspector. Here is what he looks for in the garden, and eight plants that suit a Gold Coast pool.

What is the non-climbable zone around a pool fence?

The non-climbable zone is a 900mm space around your pool barrier. Nothing a child could climb can sit in it. That includes pots, chairs, garden edges and branches. For a fence under 1800mm high, the zone sits on the outside. For a taller fence, it can sit on the inside instead. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) sets the rules.

Which plants count as climbable near a pool?

A plant is climbable if a child could use it as a foothold or a handhold. Think strong horizontal branches, thick woody stems and low forks in a trunk. Shrubs that grow into a hedge against the fence can do the same job as a ladder. Soft, strappy and grassy plants are the safer choice. They bend under weight instead of holding it.

8 non-climbable plants for your pool area

These plants are soft, low or strappy. They suit the Gold Coast climate and look at home beside a pool. Keep any plant trimmed back from the fence, and watch anything that grows a woody stem over time.

New Zealand flax

Tall, strappy leaves in striking colours. It is soft to touch, drought tolerant and low maintenance. There is nothing firm to climb.

Justicia carnea (Brazilian plume)

A soft shrub with large, lush leaves and pink or white flower plumes. It loves warm weather and needs little care. Prune it so it stays soft and low.

Cordylines

Grassy, woody-stemmed plants in shades from green to russet bronze. They add colour and a tropical feel. Their stems are slim, so plant them away from the fence line as they grow taller.

Dwarf stripe bamboo

A compact, low-growing bamboo that handles full sun. It fills a bed quickly and is easy to grow. It stays short, so it never becomes a step.

False cardamom

Vibrant green leaves that are soft to touch. It is ideal for filling mid-ground spaces and needs very little maintenance.

Cycads

Bold, fanning leaves that suit a coastal garden. They grow slowly and are easy to care for. As a cycad matures, keep its trunk well clear of the fence.

Liriope

Clumps of glossy, dark green foliage with lavender flower spikes. It edges a path or a pool bed neatly and complements tropical planting.

Bromeliads

The go-to plant for a Balinese-style pool garden. Bromeliads come in grey, pink, red and yellow. They stay low and compact, with no branches to climb.

How do I landscape a pool area and stay compliant?

Plant low and soft near the fence, and keep taller plants well back. Trim anything that leans over or towards the barrier, including trees from next door. Keep garden edges, rocks and pots out of the 900mm zone. Check the ground level after planting, as new beds can shrink the fence height below 1200mm.

How do I know my pool area will pass?

Book a pool safety inspection and Rob checks your fence, gates, garden and CPR sign against 100+ safety points. If your pool is compliant, your pool safety certificate is delivered the same day. We register your pool with the QBCC at no extra cost. Inspections start from $100 + GST.

If something needs work, you get a Form 26 non-conformity notice and a clear report with photos. The re-inspection must happen within 3 months, and it is from $79 + GST. Rob can often fix small items himself, like moving a pot or adjusting a latch. Bigger work is quoted upfront.

Want to check your own yard first? Run through our pool safety checklist or read the guide to QLD pool safety laws.

Book your pool inspection with Rob

Your garden can look lush and be compliant. Call Rob on 0457 445 197 or book a pool safety inspection online. He is usually able to inspect within 24 hours of your call.