Bamboo is one of the best plants for those looking for backyard privacy. It grows quickly, covering your yard and swimming pool. However, some homeowners are worried about dangerous roots spreading and damaging their swimming pool. Others are concerned with the excessive amounts of leaves.
You can plant bamboo anywhere near a pool if the pool has rebar, concrete, or gunite. However, it’s best to keep bamboo plants a few feet away from vinyl liner swimming pools because the roots can break through the vinyl. Use windscreens and plastic barriers to keep the leaves out of the pool.
Throughout this post, we’ll talk about whether or not you can plant bamboo near your swimming pool, why the roots can potentially cause damage, and what you should know beforehand.
Can You Plant Bamboo Next to a Pool?
Planting bamboo next to a pool is visually appealing, but it can also cause algae and plumbing problems if you’re not careful. You should be more cautious about the damage it can cause to underground pipes rather than harming the walls or liner of your swimming pool. Never let the bamboo plants get too close to the plumbing.
The good news is those with above-ground plumbing don’t have anything to stress about when it comes to bamboo plants. The Happy Bamboo suggests planting bamboo around your pool equipment to hide it rather than using an equipment shed. However, we highly recommend keeping the plants about three feet away from the equipment.
That doesn’t mean bamboo plants are harmless to swimming pools. They can damage unprotected vinyl liners. Old-school pools without protective walls will be at risk. Add a windscreen around the pool to keep the debris out of the water.
Can Bamboo Roots Damage a Pool?
Bamboo roots typically can’t damage a pool, but they can harm unprotected vinyl liners. If you have a steel, aluminum, concrete, rebar, or polymer wall around the vinyl liner, you shouldn’t have to worry about root damage. Make sure the bamboo roots are a few feet away from nearby pool equipment plumbing.
Bamboo Plants HQ claims bamboo roots aren’t strong enough to damage concrete and rebar. The roots will press against the material, but they won’t cause any damage. That being said, bamboo roots can shift PVC pipes, causing them to break. You’ll end up with expensive leaks and other repairs.
So, should you be concerned about bamboo plants damaging your swimming pool?
- Bamboo is relatively harmless to swimming pools. The roots aren’t too strong, and the stalks can’t harm the pool. The only thing you need to worry about is removing the leaves and other parts of the plant from the water. Too much bamboo in the water can cause plumbing problems that can ruin the equipment.
- Make sure there’s enough room around the pool for people and pets to safely climb out. The last thing you need is a bunch of bamboo making it difficult to leave the water. They should be a few feet away from the edge of the pool. This space allotment will let you enjoy the aesthetics and privacy without the hazards.
However, there’s a lot more you need to know about planting bamboo near a pool. All plants need to be maintained to prevent them from damaging a pool or inviting algae blooms. Read on for more information about planting bamboo near swimming pools.
What to Know Before Planting Bamboo Near a Pool?
Before planting bamboo near a pool, remember to scoop the leaves out of the water regularly, maintain the roots, and keep the stalks from getting too long. You should also avoid clumping them too close to one another and ensure none of the soil or fertilizer gets into the swimming pool.
Here’s a detailed look at each of these factors:
- Scoop the leaves out of the water to prevent phosphates from getting into the pool. Anything organic and natural that gets into the water will bring phosphates. Along with nitrates, these are algae’s primary food source. The longer the stalks and leaves stay in the water, the higher the chances will be of dealing with algae growth.
- Maintain the roots by clipping them if they get within a couple of inches of the pool liner. Bamboo roots are fairly shallow. Clip them at a 45-degree angle to help them soak up as much water as possible. Never snip within a couple of inches of the plant; let the roots grow at least a foot.
- Cut the stalks before they start to bend. Bamboo can grow very tall. When the stalks start to bend as they grow tall, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up with dozens of leaves in the swimming pool. Furthermore, a windy day can break thin bamboo stalks and send them into the water.
- According to Bamboo Garden, you should plant bamboo about 2.5 feet away from each other to provide a privacy screen. If bamboo grows too close to the edge of the pool or another plant, the roots will get tangled. Not only will this affect the bamboo’s growth, but it can also push on underground PVC pipes for your pool equipment.
- Never allow soil, fertilizer, or compost into the water. All three of these substances have phosphates and nitrates. As mentioned above, phosphates and nitrates will undoubtedly lead to algae growth. They can also get caught in the pool’s strainer, clogging the pump basket and skimmer basket.
Planting bamboo around your pool can make a big difference. While these guidelines might seem overwhelming, they’re quite straightforward once you get the hang of them. As with all plants, you should remove the leaves, stalks, stems, and other parts from the water to prevent unwanted algae growth.
Final Thoughts
Bamboo plants are great to plant near your swimming pool. As long as you maintain the roots and keep the leaves out of the water, you shouldn’t encounter any problems. Remember to keep the bamboo plants a few feet away to keep them from harming your vinyl liner (if you have one).
