25 Best Plants Around Hot Tub for Beauty and Privacy

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• Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Plants: Bamboo and Arborvitae provide quick, dense coverage for seclusion.
  
  

• Mix Beauty and Function: Plants like Hydrangeas, Hibiscus, and Camellias add color and fragrance while enhancing privacy.
  
  

• Consider Size and Placement: Italian Cypress, Elephant Ears, and Bird of Paradise create screens without crowding your hot tub.
  
  

• Avoid Problematic Plants: Stay away from trees with aggressive roots, high-pollen flowers, or toxic species that threaten safety and water quality.
  
  

• Create a Relaxing Atmosphere: Aromatic and low-maintenance options like Jasmine, Gardenias, and Creeping Thyme enhance your hot tub experience.

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants, with some species capable of growing up to 91 cm (35 inches) in a single day, so you might literally see it grow before your eyes! For creating a lush privacy screen around your hot tub, clumping bamboos are ideal because they grow quickly, form dense foliage, and are non-invasive. 

Running bamboos are another great option for rapid coverage, as they can spread several feet each year and reach impressive heights, sometimes over 30 feet, providing a natural barrier within a few years. 

Bamboo thrives in a wide range of climates and soils, from humid tropics to semi-dry regions, and prefers well-drained soils with adequate rainfall. 

While most species enjoy temperatures between 7°C and 40°C, drought-tolerant varieties like Dendrocalamus strictus can handle occasional frost and heat extremes. 

With the right species and placement, bamboo can quickly transform the area around your hot tub into a private, green oasis that’s both beautiful and functional.

When it comes to creating a beautiful, private retreat around your hot tub, Arborvitae is a top choice. 

These tall evergreens can grow 3 to 5 feet per year in full sun, eventually reaching impressive heights of 40 to 60 feet with minimal effort. 

The Thuja Green Giant, in particular, is prized for its rapid growth, natural resistance to pests and diseases, and deer-resistant foliage, making it an ideal long-lasting privacy wall. 

To ensure healthy growth, space trees depending on the variety, 2 to 4 feet apart for smaller types like Emerald Green, and 6 to 8 feet for larger Green Giants. 

Keep them at least 15 to 20 feet away from your hot tub to protect roots and prevent heat or chemical damage. 

Plant Arborvitae in moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter, and provide full sun or partial shade, with some afternoon shade in hot climates. 

With these simple steps, your Arborvitae screen will quickly transform into a lush, private oasis perfect for relaxing and enjoying your outdoor space.

Italian Cypress is a perfect choice for adding privacy and elegance around a hot tub. These tall, narrow evergreens grow 40–70 feet high but only 3–6 feet wide, making them ideal for creating a dense green screen without taking up much horizontal space. 

Their moderate-to-fast growth of 1–2 feet per year means you can enjoy privacy relatively quickly, while their dark green, feathery foliage provides year-round coverage. 

For the best effect, plant them about 3 feet apart for a solid privacy barrier, or 5–6 feet apart if you want each tree to stand out as a dramatic, architectural accent. 

Hardy in USDA zones 7–10, Italian Cypress thrives in full to partial sun and well-draining soil, with minimal maintenance once established. 

Its slim, columnar shape adds a sophisticated Mediterranean flair to any garden, patio, or terrace, while fitting neatly into tight spaces. 

Whether used individually or in rows, Italian Cypress combines beauty, structure, and privacy, making it a standout choice for stylish, low-maintenance landscaping around your hot tub.

Clumping grasses are a fantastic choice for adding both beauty and privacy around your hot tub. 

Popular varieties like Fountain Grass, Feather Reed Grass, and Muhly Grass create dense, tall screens that range from 3 to 7 feet, effectively blocking views while adding texture and movement to the space. 

Fountain Grass offers feathery flower spikes, Feather Reed Grass brings upright elegance, and Muhly Grass provides soft, cloud-like plumes, all requiring relatively low maintenance once established. 

To keep them healthy and looking their best, water consistently, fertilize during the growing season, prune dead foliage, and remove debris around the base. 

It’s also important to ensure your hot tub rests on a stable surface to prevent settling issues. Beyond aesthetics, clumping grasses provide environmental benefits: as noted by Dyck Arboretum of the Plains these grasses conserve water, resist pests, prevent erosion with deep roots, and offer habitats for pollinators and wildlife. 

With their calming movement and tropical feel, clumping grasses transform a hot tub area into a serene backyard oasis.

Banana plants add a tropical feel to any hot tub area with their large, lush leaves. They can grow 6–15 feet tall, making them ideal for natural privacy screens. 

Varieties like Musa Basjoo and Dwarf Cavendish suit smaller spaces or containers. They thrive in well-drained soil and bright sunlight.

Hydrangeas are a perfect choice for adding both beauty and privacy around your hot tub. For sunny spots, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are ideal, they tolerate heat well, thrive in full sun, and produce large, cone-shaped flower clusters that bloom from midsummer to fall, starting creamy white and gradually shifting to pink, green, or red for long-lasting color. 

If space is limited, dwarf smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) offer a more compact option while still enjoying full or partial sun and consistent moisture. 

When planting near a hot tub, choose a spot with morning sun and some afternoon shade to protect delicate blooms from harsh sunlight and wind. 

Hydrangeas flourish in rich, well-drained soil enriched with compost and slow-release fertilizer, ensuring strong growth and vibrant flowers. 

With regular watering, proper pruning, and attention to sunlight and soil, these shrubs not only create a stunning visual display but also offer a lush, private setting that complements your hot tub area beautifully.

Boxwood is an excellent choice for adding both beauty and privacy around a hot tub. Its thick, bushy foliage creates a natural screen, while its ability to be trimmed into shapes makes it versatile for any garden space. 

Most boxwoods grow slowly, around 3–6 inches per year, though cultivars like ‘Highlander’ can grow up to 24 inches annually once established, allowing you to plan hedges or topiaries with confidence. 

Thriving best in USDA zones 5–9, boxwoods prefer partial shade to full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture, conditions that are easily managed near a hot tub if splashing and heat are considered. 

They benefit from good air circulation to prevent disease and only minimal maintenance, including strategic pruning, occasional fertilization, and monitoring for pests. 

With the right siting and care, boxwood not only offers structure and privacy but also adds rich green color and texture contrast to surrounding plants, creating a relaxing, elegant environment around your hot tub.

Hibiscus is a perfect choice for creating both privacy and beauty around your hot tub. Its fast-growing, dense foliage forms a natural screen, giving you a secluded retreat while adding a tropical, oasis-like vibe. 

Large, trumpet-shaped blooms burst with vibrant colors, instantly brightening the space and attracting butterflies, which brings life to your backyard. 

Hardy varieties like Rose of Sharon thrive in temperate climates and can grow into substantial privacy hedges, while tropical hibiscus adds dramatic flair in warmer regions or in containers on patios and decks. 

For humid or wet areas, swamp hibiscus flourishes with vivid red flowers, even in soggy soils where other plants struggle. 

Hibiscus prefers moist but well-drained soil, plenty of sunlight, and protection from strong winds, and container-grown plants benefit from repotting every few years. 

With lush foliage, showy flowers, and easy care, hibiscus turns your hot tub area into a colorful, serene retreat that feels like a luxurious backyard escape.

Camellias are a perfect choice for creating year-round privacy around your hot tub. Their glossy, evergreen leaves provide constant cover, while their naturally dense growth can be shaped into hedges or screens, offering both seclusion and beauty. 

Depending on the variety, Camellias can grow anywhere from 5 to 25 feet, with Japanese types staying smaller and slower-growing, making them ideal for more compact spaces or container planting. 

Many varieties, such as Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua, bloom in late fall, winter, or early spring, adding vibrant color when much of the garden is dormant. 

These plants thrive in part shade to full shade and perform best in climates that provide mild winters and acidic, well-drained soil. 

With their versatility in size, container suitability, low maintenance, and stunning flowers, Camellias not only ensure a private retreat but also enhance the aesthetic of your hot tub area throughout the year.

Oleander is a stunning choice for adding color and privacy around your hot tub, thriving in warm climates and USDA zones 8 through 10. 

Its vibrant blooms and evergreen leaves make it a standout in any garden. However, it’s important to be aware that oleander is highly toxic to pets and humans if ingested. 

In areas like Fort Mohave, where this shrub is commonly seen, extra caution is needed to keep dogs and children safe. 

On the bright side, oleander is remarkably low-maintenance, making it perfect for busy gardeners. 

Once established, it needs minimal watering, occasional pruning to shape the plant and encourage new growth, and is naturally resistant to many pests. 

This combination of beauty, privacy, and ease of care makes oleander an appealing option for anyone looking to create a lush, vibrant garden without spending countless hours on upkeep.

Planting lavender around your hot tub creates a relaxing, inviting space. Its fragrance reduces stress and promotes calm, especially when leaves are gently crushed to release more aroma. Many lavender varieties have long-lasting scents, keeping your hot tub area fresh.

If you’re looking to add beauty, privacy, and a sweet aroma around your hot tub, jasmine is an excellent choice. 

For hot tub areas, drought-tolerant varieties like Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) and Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) work best. 

Confederate Jasmine is a moderate-growing vine perfect for trellises or walls, while Arabian Jasmine is a shrubby plant that reaches about 1.5–2 meters, offering a more contained, bush-like effect. 

Both release intoxicating fragrances that can enhance relaxation, with studies showing jasmine aromas reduce stress and create inviting “smellscapes” in outdoor spaces. 

Jasmine grows steadily, common varieties can reach 10–15 feet, adding privacy as they climb or sprawl, growing about 12–24 inches a year, though they may need pruning to maintain shape. 

To thrive near a hot tub, jasmine prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight daily and tolerates partial shade in very hot climates, making it low-maintenance yet highly rewarding. With its lush green foliage and aromatic blooms, jasmine transforms your hot tub area into a serene, sensory retreat.

Roses are the perfect choice for adding both beauty and serenity around your hot tub. Varieties like the resilient ‘Iceberg’ and ‘Knock Out’ roses thrive even in humid conditions, ensuring lush, continuous blooms. 

To elevate your relaxation, fragrant options such as ‘Fragrant Cloud,’ ‘Double Delight,’ ‘Just Joey,’ ‘Heritage,’ ‘Graham Thomas,’ and ‘Parfuma® Earth Angel’ fill the air with sweet, soothing scents. 

Plant them in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of sunlight and place them near seating areas or pathways to enjoy their aroma fully. 

Beyond their visual appeal, roses have a long history of calming the mind and lifting spirits, from ancient Egyptians and Romans to modern aromatherapy practices. 

Their fragrance and beauty not only create a romantic spa-like atmosphere but also provide a natural mood boost, helping you unwind and enjoy your outdoor oasis to the fullest.

Gardenias are a perfect choice for adding both beauty and privacy around your hot tub. Thriving in USDA zones 7 to 11, these evergreen shrubs flourish in warm, humid climates with well-draining, acidic soil and partial to full sun, though they appreciate some shade from the hottest midday rays. 

According to UF/IFAS Extension Gardening Solutions, gardenias can grow between 2 to 15 feet tall, forming dense mounds of glossy, dark-green leaves that make them excellent natural screens. 

Their flowers, ranging from creamy white to pale yellow with subtle purple mottling, release a strong, enchanting fragrance that elevates any outdoor space. 

To maintain their year-round charm near water features, gardenias need consistent moisture and careful attention to pests such as aphids and scales. 

With proper care, including timely watering and occasional feeding, these shrubs can provide continuous blooms and lush foliage, turning your hot tub area into a serene, private, and aromatic retreat that invites relaxation and enjoyment throughout the seasons.

Planting lilacs near a hot tub can transform your outdoor space with color, fragrance, and a touch of privacy. 

For warmer areas, compact and heat-tolerant varieties like Dwarf Korean Lilac (‘Palibin’), Miss Kim Lilac, or Littleleaf Lilac (‘Superba’) are ideal. 

These smaller shrubs handle heat better than common lilacs and maintain a neat, refined growth, perfect for limited spaces. 

Lilacs thrive in full sun with well-drained soil and need enough space to spread for vibrant blooms. 

Their flowers appear in late spring for two to six weeks, offering delightful fragrance and visual appeal. 

Besides beauty, lilacs can enhance privacy when planted in staggered rows, creating a seasonal screen. 

Maintenance is simple: prune right after blooming to shape and remove old growth, and occasional thinning keeps plants healthy. 

While lilacs prefer temperate climates, selecting heat-tolerant varieties ensures success near a hot tub even in warmer conditions. 

With their low-maintenance charm, fragrant blooms, and compact form, lilacs are a perfect addition for beauty and subtle privacy.

The Bird of Paradise is an excellent choice for adding beauty and privacy around a hot tub. This low-maintenance plant thrives in sunny, warm spots with well-draining soil, making it perfect for backyard landscaping (Gurung and Kumar, 2020). 

The common variety, Strelitzia reginae, grows 5–6 feet tall and wide, while the Giant Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia nicolai, can reach an impressive 10–20 feet. 

Both have large, paddle-shaped, evergreen leaves that form dense clumps, naturally creating a screen that blocks views and adds privacy. 

Their elegant, tropical foliage not only enhances the aesthetics of your space but also provides a natural barrier, making your hot tub area feel more secluded and serene. 

With strategic placement, a few well-grown Bird of Paradise plants can transform a simple backyard into a lush, exotic retreat while requiring minimal care.

Palms instantly create a tropical vibe around a hot tub. Varieties like Areca, Majesty, and Kentia thrive outdoors and add height and privacy. 

Smaller palms can line the perimeter for visual interest. Mixing palms with different leaf shapes enhances depth, while their swaying leaves reflect light and create a relaxing atmosphere.

Elephant Ear plants are perfect for adding both beauty and privacy around your hot tub. They thrive in warm temperatures between 65–85°F (18–29°C) and love high humidity, so misting their leaves a couple of times a week or placing a humidifier nearby helps them stay lush. 

These plants vary in size: dwarf types may reach just 8 inches, common varieties grow 3–6 feet tall and wide, and giant types like Colocasia gigantea can exceed 9 feet, making them excellent natural screens with their large, heart-shaped leaves. 

For outdoor hot tub areas, choose between Colocasias, which enjoy full sun and consistent moisture, or Alocasias, which prefer some shade and well-drained soil. 

To keep them vibrant year-round, use rich, well-draining soil, maintain consistent watering, fertilize monthly, and watch for pests. 

During cooler months, they may go dormant, just reduce watering and resume care in spring. With their bold leaves and towering stems, Elephant Ears create a lush, tropical retreat while giving you the privacy you desire.

Ginger plants bring both beauty and a tropical vibe to a hot tub setting, thriving in the warm, humid, and partially shaded environment these spaces naturally create. 

Popular choices include butterfly gingers (Hedychium), such as Hedychium gardnerianum with its tall, candle-like flowers, or the striking variegated Hedychium ‘Dr Moy’. 

For something fragrant and easy to grow, Hedychium ‘Stephen’ is another favorite. If you’d like an edible twist, culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale) offers the same lush greenery along with harvestable rhizomes. 

To grow well, ginger needs rich, moist but well-draining soil, filtered sunlight, and shelter from frost, strong winds, and harsh midday sun. 

What it can’t tolerate is soggy roots or direct, scorching rays. Interestingly, research highlighted in Sains Malaysiana (2016) on torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) shows its growth follows a clear cycle, moving from leafy shoots to flowering in about 155 days before eventually entering senescence. 

This growth pattern not only adds an exotic display but also emphasizes how perfectly suited gingers are for hot, steamy corners around a spa retreat.

Cannas add tropical charm to any hot tub area with bold foliage in green, bronze, or variegated patterns. 

Their red, orange, yellow, and pink flowers bloom throughout summer. Tall varieties can provide privacy, while dwarf types suit smaller spaces. They can be planted in the ground or in containers.

If you’re looking for lush greenery to frame your hot tub, Hostas are a top choice thanks to their bold leaves and ability to thrive in shaded spots. 

Most hostas prefer at least partial shade, and the bluer varieties perform best in full shade, making them perfect where the hot tub creates dappled light. 

The Royal Horticultural Society highlights that hostas planted in the ground need soil kept slightly damp, especially in dry spells, while container-grown ones demand regular summer watering since they dry out quickly. 

Feeding is simple: mulch with compost in borders or add a monthly liquid feed in pots for healthy, vibrant foliage. 

For decorative landscaping, standout varieties include the giant ‘Empress Wu’ and ‘Blue Angel’ for dramatic backdrops, ‘June’ and ‘Stained Glass’ for colorful foliage, and dwarf picks like ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ for edging or container displays. 

Beyond their beauty, hostas are hardy perennials, easy to divide every few years and reliable season after season, offering both beauty and privacy around your spa retreat.

Ferns are one of the best plants to grow around a hot tub because they love the exact conditions a spa creates warmth, moisture, and shade. 

Their unique biology makes them especially suited for humid environments; since fern reproduction requires a thin film of water for sperm to reach the egg, the constant steam and mist from a hot tub provide the perfect match. 

Native to forests and wetlands, ferns also thrive when their fronds stay moist, making them ideal companions for your relaxation space. 

For privacy, the Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is a favorite choice thanks to its feathery green fronds and hardy nature, even in cooler climates. 

Research published in the International Journal of Current Research in Biosciences and Plant Biology highlights that ferns are often undervalued, yet their delicate texture and vibrant greenery make them outstanding ornamental plants around water features. 

While they need more care than many other plants, such as regular misting, moist soil, and protection from hot tub chemicals, the payoff is lush, year-round beauty and natural seclusion.

Creeping thyme is one of the best ground covers to plant around a hot tub because it brings both beauty and function. 

Unlike many plants, it forms a fragrant, low-growing carpet that releases a pleasant scent when brushed against and bursts with tiny pink or purple blooms in summer, attracting pollinators. 

Its dense mat naturally suppresses weeds, tolerates light foot traffic, and spreads steadily, often reaching 12 to 18 inches wide within three years. 

Once established, it thrives in sunny, dry spots and handles heat, drought, and even the occasional splash of salty water, making it a low-maintenance alternative to grass. 

However, it’s not a fit for damp or high-traffic areas, as poor drainage can lead to root rot and too much moisture will weaken it. 

For the best results, give it full sun and well-drained soil, or pair it with stepping stones to protect the plant while still enjoying its lush, aromatic cover around your hot tub.

Succulents are ideal for hot tub borders because they’re low-maintenance, needing only well-drained soil and occasional watering. 

Varieties like jade plants, echeveria, and agave add bold shapes and textures, while kalanchoe and sedum provide color. 

They also grow well in containers, allowing for flexible design with pots or in-ground planting. Together, they create a clean, lasting look.

Ornamental moss is a wonderful choice for creating a soft, lush carpet around your hot tub, adding both beauty and tranquility. 

Moss naturally thrives in moist, shady spots with slightly acidic soil, making it perfect for areas where humidity is high but direct afternoon sun is limited. 

Instead of deep roots, it uses tiny filaments to absorb nutrients, so keeping the ground moist and weed-free helps it stay vibrant and healthy. 

Beyond its easy charm, experts and landscape designers praise moss for its timeless role in gardens, especially in Japanese landscapes, where it’s valued for its calming, green appeal and contribution to biophilic design. 

Its dense growth not only enhances aesthetics but also stabilizes soil, prevents erosion, and retains moisture, an advantage in gardens that need less watering. 

Popular types like Sheet Moss, Fern Moss, Cushion Moss, and Sphagnum Moss all bring unique textures, from flat, velvety mats to fluffy, cushion-like accents. Together, they create a serene, natural look that makes your hot tub area feel like a peaceful retreat.

When choosing plants around a hot tub, it’s best to avoid leafy trees that constantly shed debris. 

Deciduous varieties like oaks, maples, sycamores, and tulip poplars are well known for dropping piles of leaves every fall, and sometimes throughout the year. 

Eucalyptus trees are another culprit, shedding long, waxy leaves almost nonstop, while species like Brigalow and Gidgee in Australia also create frequent litter. 

The issue isn’t just the mess; leaves, pollen, seeds, and even branches can end up in the water, especially if trees hang directly overhead. 

Once debris falls in, it can quickly upset water chemistry, releasing tannins that stain surfaces, lowering sanitizer effectiveness, and forcing you to rebalance pH more often. 

On top of that, windy days only increase the amount of material blown into your tub. Experts recommend keeping tall, shedding trees away from hot tubs altogether and instead using low, non-shedding plants. 

This minimizes cleanup, protects water quality, and helps you spend more time relaxing rather than skimming leaves.

If you’re setting up a relaxing hot tub space, it’s important to know that some popular flowering plants can actually make it harder to breathe easy. 

Medical News Today notes that wind-pollinated flowers like daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and sunflowers release high amounts of pollen that can trigger hay fever, especially since they’re distant relatives of ragweed. 

Research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology also highlights that pollen from ornamental plants isn’t just a mild nuisance, skin prick tests showed nearly one in five allergy patients reacted to it, and the number jumped dramatically among flower growers, with many experiencing nasal, eye, or respiratory issues. 

Beyond these flowers, lightweight pollen from grasses, weeds, and trees such as birch or alder can easily irritate the eyes, nose, and skin because it travels far on the wind. 

To keep your hot tub area comfortable, consider planting insect-pollinated varieties instead, which produce less airborne pollen and are far less likely to disrupt your soak.

When planning landscaping around your hot tub, it’s important to steer clear of trees with aggressive root systems that can damage patios, decking, or plumbing. 

Species like oak, willow, sycamore, maple, elm, poplar, and birch are well-known culprits. Willow trees in particular have roots that stretch far in search of moisture, often cracking pavement or invading underground water lines, so experts recommend planting them at least 50 feet from structures. 

Research shows tree roots can spread far beyond the visible crown, sometimes reaching four to seven times wider than the tree’s canopy. 

This can spell trouble for hot tub surroundings, where roots may lift pavers, crack concrete, block pipes, or even interfere with drainage systems. 

To avoid costly repairs, landscaping experts advise leaving enough distance between large plants and your hot tub, generally equal to the mature spread of the tree or shrub. 

Planning ahead not only protects your investment but also ensures space for maintenance and long-term enjoyment of your backyard retreat.

When planning greenery around a hot tub, it’s smart to avoid plants that attract too many buzzing visitors. 

Popular pollinator favorites like Bee Balm, Milkweed, Sunflowers, Lavender, and Basil are wonderful for bees and beneficial insects, but they also draw wasps. 

Herbs such as Dill and Cilantro, along with blooms like Cosmos, Zinnias, and Marigolds, can even invite adult mosquitoes searching for nectar. 

Research published in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening highlights that plant richness and coverage strongly influence insect populations, meaning the denser and more diverse your garden, the more insects it may host, beneficial or not. 

Public health sources also point to plants like Butterfly Bush, Goldenrod, Lantana, Celosia, and Wave Petunias as high-risk for attracting mosquitoes, while any sweet-smelling or brightly colored flowers tend to lure stinging insects. 

If your goal is a relaxing, bug-free soak, it’s best to limit these choices near your hot tub and instead focus on low-attractant, non-flowering greenery while managing any standing water that mosquitoes need to breed.

Relaxing in a hot tub can quickly turn unpleasant if irritating or poisonous plants are nearby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that plant toxins can enter the body not only through skin contact but also through inhalation or accidental ingestion from contaminated surfaces. 

Some of the most common culprits are poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, which release urushiol, a highly reactive oil that triggers allergic dermatitis, causing itching, redness, and blistering. 

Other plants, like wild parsnip and the invasive giant hogweed, contain furanocoumarins, compounds that react with sunlight and can cause painful burns or long-lasting scars. 

Heat and moisture around hot tubs can make matters worse by intensifying plant stress, microbial growth, and toxin stability, creating an environment where irritants linger longer and become more potent. 

In fact, warm, humid conditions may even increase the risk of additional toxins, such as fungal mycotoxins or cyanotoxins, forming nearby. 

For a safe and soothing soak, it’s best to keep these hazardous plants far from your relaxation zone.

Strongly scented plants can ruin the relaxing atmosphere around a hot tub. Flowers like jasmine, lilies, and gardenias release heavy aromas that intensify in humid air, lingering and making it harder to breathe. 

These strong scents may trigger headaches or allergies, leaving you feeling uneasy instead of calm. To keep the spa area comfortable, choose lighter, fresher plants instead.

When choosing greenery around your hot tub, it’s smart to avoid plants that shed heavily or demand constant upkeep. 

Deciduous trees like oaks, maples, birches, elms, and ginkgos drop loads of leaves each fall, while flowering varieties such as magnolias, cherry, and mimosa trees scatter petals that quickly clog filters. 

Fruit trees, including apples, pears, peaches, and citrus, can drop immature fruit or even entire crops, creating sticky, messy surroundings. 

Grapevines, though beautiful, also shed their leaves seasonally. Beyond the mess, some plants can cause real damage: invasive vines like English and Boston ivy cling to nearby decking or siding, leaving behind stubborn marks, while aggressive root systems may disrupt foundations over time. 

High-maintenance growers like privet hedges, wisteria, and climbing roses add to the hassle with constant pruning needs, sending twigs and leaves into the water. 

All this extra debris not only makes cleanup a chore but also stresses your hot tub’s filters and water chemistry, turning a relaxing soak into unwanted maintenance.

Yes, you can place plants next to a hot tub, but choose ones suited to the area's sunlight, low in debris, and kept away from equipment and chemical splashes. Aromatic plants, succulents, and tropical varieties enhance aesthetics while ensuring safety and minimal maintenance.

If you’re looking to enjoy a hot tub without constantly swatting bugs, certain plants can make the space more comfortable. Horticultural studies highlight that herbs like basil, catnip, rosemary, garlic, chives, lavender, and mint, as well as flowers like chrysanthemums, marigolds, nasturtiums, and borage, naturally repel mosquitoes, flies, and beetles. Even classics like citronella and citrus plants are well-known for their bug-repelling oils. Research published in the PLoS ONE journal showed that planting dense shrubs such as Lantana camara around homes reduced mosquito presence by up to 56–83%, making them a practical option for outdoor areas. The effectiveness comes from compounds like pyrethrins, limonene, and camphor, which studies in the Journal of Insects describe as powerful natural defenses against pests. Aromatic choices such as lavender and rosemary not only smell wonderful but also mask human scents, confusing mosquitoes and deterring flies. Landscaping research also suggests combining repellent plants with nectar-rich flowers like sweet alyssum to attract beneficial insects that prey on pests, creating a balanced, low-insect environment around your relaxation spot.