Landscaping costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Professional xeriscaping costs $5,000 to $24,000, with your total project price depending on yard size and material choices.
The materials you choose shape your budget, from mulch and gravel to higher-end rocks and stone.
You should budget for debris removal, often $200 to $500, and add drip irrigation for new plants.
Hiring a local landscape architecture professional ensures correct installation, so you save time and avoid heavy lifting.
The cost of xeriscaping ranges between $5,000 and $24,000, with an average cost of $17,000. You can estimate your project by size, with an average cost of $5 to $20 per square foot. A comprehensive xeriscape landscaping solution in a drought-prone area can total as much as $50,000.
There are a few key factors to consider if you want to budget accurately when xeriscaping your yard. The size of your yard, the materials you choose, and the amount of labor you’ll need play the biggest roles in determining the base cost of your project.
Most homeowners pay between $5 and $20 per square foot to xeriscape their yards. Since prices are based on square footage, a larger space means you’ll spend more on your xeriscape project. Some homeowners may opt to focus on converting a smaller portion of their yards to a xeriscape, while others choose to xeriscape an entire backyard, which may come at lower per-square-foot costs but lead to a higher total price.
| Project Size (Sq. Ft.) | Cost |
|---|---|
| 100 | $1,500–$2,000 |
| 250 | $2,500–$5,000 |
| 500 | $2,500–$10,000 |
| 1,000 | $5,000–$20,000 |
| 2,500 | $12,500–$37,500 |
| 5,000 | $25,000–$50,000 |
The different kinds of materials you choose for your project can greatly affect the total cost. On average, materials range from $3 to $10 per square foot and include seedling plants from nurseries and basic landscape materials like mulch, artificial turf or other grass alternatives, and gravel. If you want more expensive materials—like rocks and stones—you’ll spend up to $20 per square foot, although these rarely cover your entire yard.
Hiring a professional to install your xeriscaping materials will cost between $5 and $20 per square foot, which includes the cost of the materials and the installation labor. You may need to account for added costs related to delivery, which can drive up total prices by $100 to $300.
You’ll spend around $200 to $500 to remove waste and debris from your yard before xeriscaping. The price falls toward the higher end of the price range if you use a removal company, and it falls toward the lower end of the price range if you rent a vehicle to remove the debris yourself. To prepare your site for xeriscaping, you may need to remove grass, weeds, existing flower beds, and old materials like rotting mulch.
Xeriscaping doesn’t always rid of the need for an irrigation system, so you may still have to pay to install a drip or low-flow irrigation system to hydrate a xeriscaped yard. This type of irrigation system costs anywhere from $1,800 to $2,500, so it pales in comparison to an in-ground sprinkler system installation. This price will go up by an average of $4,000 if you also install a rainwater harvesting system to work alongside the drip irrigation system to further your water conservation efforts.
If you’re not sure how to design a xeriscape, you’ll also need to work with a local landscape designer to help you plan your project. The price for a design plan and consultation can cost anywhere from $500 to $8,000, depending on the complexity and scale of your project.
| Design Style | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Desert garden | $8,000–$18,500 |
| Classic garden | $10,000–$18,000 |
| Modern garden | $8,500–$15,000 |
| Cottage garden | $10,000–$15,000 |
The site location might not seem like an obvious cost factor, but if your home is in a remote location or you’re building on undeveloped land, anticipate higher costs for the delivery and preparation of your project.
Additionally, obstructions or steep slopes on your land that prevent professionals from using heavy machinery to distribute the xeriscaping materials can drive up labor costs if it means your experts have to move materials manually.
If you need excavation, tree, or boulder removal services, these can increase the cost of your project significantly.
Excavation costs: $1,600–$6,700
Tree removal costs: $200–$2,000
Boulder removal costs: $650–$1,200
Overall prices for xeriscape materials can depend on the type of plants you choose, as well as the quantity and quality of your materials. The table below provides a brief overview of how much each material costs.
| Xeriscape Material | Material Cost |
|---|---|
| Trees | $100–$300 each |
| Shrubs | $25–$50 each |
| Flowers | $3–$20 each |
| Mulch | $35–$170 per cubic yard |
| Pea gravel | $25–$80 per cubic yard |
| Artificial turf | $6–$22 per sq. ft. |
| Rocks and stones | $250–$2,500 |
| Ground covers | $10–$25 per sq. ft. |
Drought-resistant trees are useful when it comes to xeriscaping. The trees can protect the soil from heat and sunlight, limit water evaporation, and keep the ground cooler. The type of trees suitable in your area and climate will limit what’s available to you, but the prices below should provide you with a good idea of what to expect.
| Type of Tree | Cost |
|---|---|
| Arizona cypress | $35–$45 |
| Eastern red cedar | $150–$500 |
| Golden rain | $70 to $125 |
| Hackberry | $45–$90 |
| Kentucky coffee | $115–$140 |
| Olive | $60–$250 |
| Texas mountain laurel | $100–$300 |
Flowers can add a pop of color to your garden, and while they don’t provide the same protection for soil as larger trees, their roots can help the soil retain water while bringing natural beauty to your space.
| Type of Flower | Cost (per Plant) |
|---|---|
| Beavertail cactus | $15–$45 |
| Calendula | $5–$10 |
| Perennial alyssum | $6–$12 |
| Primrose | $7–$12 |
| Purple coneflower | $5–$10 |
| Sonoma sage | $6–$12 |
| Whale’s tongue agave | $20–$60 |
Though you’ll have to wait for shrubs to reach their full height, those that are drought-resistant can assist in your xeriscaping sooner than that. Here are some different types of xeric shrubs you want to consider for your xeriscaping project.
| Shrub | Cost (per Plant) |
|---|---|
| Evergreen sumac | $10–$30 |
| Japanese holly | $15–$50 |
| Lavender | $10–$20 |
| Pinyon pine | $15–$50 |
| Rabbitbrush | $10–$30 |
| Russian sage | $18–$35 |
| Sagebrush | $15–$50 |
| Shore juniper | $12–$75 |
| Spanish dagger | $45–$150 |
| Spurge | $60–$150 |
Even though xeriscaping is a low-maintenance landscaping option, you’ll still need to maintain it to keep the plants thriving—especially during the first two years when the plants aren’t fully established. Luckily, you can do most of the maintenance yourself to save on labor costs. If you do hire a professional, expect to pay between $50 and $100 per hour.
If you have a drip irrigation system, you may also need repairs from time to time, which can cost $100 to $500. However, you’ll only need to budget for these if something goes wrong with your equipment.
If you choose to flex your DIY muscles to bring your xeriscaping ideas to life, you’ll pay an average of $8,000 for the materials and the delivery. The cost to deliver hardscape materials can fall anywhere between $300 and $1,100, while debris removal services cost an extra $200 to $500.
Xeriscaping involves a lot of time and effort, though, so consider hiring a local landscaper to do the heavy lifting and design for you. You’ll avoid injury, save yourself time, and end up with a more professional-looking yard.
Additionally, you should always hire a pro if you want or need to add a drip irrigation system to your setup. Installing one yourself is possible, but an expert will ensure your system keeps your xeriscaped area thriving and can reduce the risk of costly mistakes.
While you’re xeriscaping your yard, you might be tempted to tackle an add-on or two to knock multiple projects out of the way in one go—especially if you’ve already hired a pro to come help you xeriscape your lawn.
A few add-ons worth considering include the following:
Rainwater collection system cost: $3,000–$5,000
Soil testing cost: $1,400
Soil amendment cost: $10–$50 per cubic yard
Lawn fertilization cost: $70–$400
Lawn aeration cost: $75–$200
Weed removal cost: $50–$200
Debris removal cost: $200–$500
Xeriscaping can be an expensive project, sometimes costing as much as $50,000. If you want stunning xeriscaping in your yard but don’t want to break the budget, a little creativity can go a long way. Here are a few tips for saving money on your xeriscape project.
Opt for young, small plants from your local nursery as opposed to mature plants.
Try to install as much of the xeriscaping yourself as possible.
Choose natural hardscape materials like gravel, mulch, and shells.
Source local materials to keep delivery costs as low as possible.
Choose plants that are suited to your climate to avoid having to replace them frequently.
Ask around for free materials like boulders, driftwood, lumber, or recycled metal scraps.
Install a surface irrigation system rather than a drip irrigation system.
Hold off on unnecessary upgrades like concrete pavers or natural stone slabs.
Start with a small section of your yard to avoid a large, costly project.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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