How Much Does Xeriscaping Cost? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost of xeriscaping is $17,000. Most homeowners spend $5,000 to $24,000 on their project, with yard size and material choices driving most of the spread. A comprehensive xeriscape landscaping solution in a drought-prone area can reach up to $50,000.

Xeriscape Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Yard size, material choices, and labor are the three biggest drivers of your xeriscaping budget when xeriscaping your yard. Understanding how each factor contributes to your total helps you plan accurately and avoid surprises once the project is underway.

Size

Most homeowners pay $5 to $20 per square foot to xeriscape their yards, making total project size the single most direct cost driver. Focusing on a smaller portion of your yard keeps the overall bill lower, while xeriscaping an entire backyard may come with slightly lower per-square-foot rates but a significantly higher total price. Costs vary by project size, as the table below shows.

Materials

Material selection has a major impact on your xeriscaping budget, with basic options like mulch, gravel, and seedling plants from nurseries averaging $3 to $10 per square foot. Upgrading to rocks and stones can push material costs to up to $20 per square foot, though premium hardscape materials like these typically cover only a portion of the yard rather than the full area. You can explore grass alternatives as a mid-range option that balances cost and visual appeal.

Labor

Professional xeriscaping installation runs $5 to $20 per square foot, a rate that covers both materials and labor. Budget an additional $100 to $300 for delivery costs, which can add up depending on your location and the volume of materials needed.

Cleanup

Clearing waste and debris from your yard before xeriscaping typically costs $200 to $500, depending on how you handle removal. Hiring a removal company pushes costs toward the higher end, while renting a vehicle and doing it yourself keeps costs closer to $200. Site prep commonly involves removing grass, weeds, existing flower beds, and old materials like rotting mulch.

Drip Irrigation System

Xeriscaping does not always eliminate the need for irrigation, and installing a low-flow irrigation system typically costs $1,800 to $2,500, which is considerably less than a traditional in-ground sprinkler system. Adding a rainwater harvesting system to complement the drip irrigation raises the total by an average of $4,000, but it strengthens your water conservation results over the long term. 

Xeriscape Design

If you need help planning your layout, working with a local landscape designer is a smart investment, with design plans and consultations ranging from $500 to $8,000 depending on project complexity and scale. Costs vary by design style, as the breakdown below shows.

Location

Remote locations and undeveloped land increase delivery and site preparation costs, making location a more significant budget factor than many homeowners expect. Steep slopes or obstructions that prevent machinery access require manual material distribution, which drives up labor costs further.

Land Prep

Excavation, tree removal, and boulder removal can add substantially to your xeriscaping budget, so it is worth identifying these needs before finalizing your project estimate. Costs depend on the specific service required, with excavation running $1,600 to $6,700, tree removal ranging from $200 to $2,000, and boulder removal falling between $650 and $1,200.

Xeriscaping Cost by Plant Type: What Changes the Budget?

The type, quantity, and quality of plants you select all influence your overall xeriscaping material costs, with prices varying widely across trees, shrubs, flowers, and hardscape materials. The table below breaks down costs by material type.

Xeriscape Trees

Drought-resistant trees are a practical xeriscaping choice because they protect soil from heat and sunlight, limit water evaporation, and keep the ground cooler. Your local climate will determine which species are available to you, and costs vary by tree type as shown below.

Xeriscape Flowers

Flowers bring color and natural beauty to a xeriscape, and while they offer less soil protection than trees, their root systems help the soil retain water. Costs vary by species, as the table below shows.

Xeriscape Shrubs

Drought-resistant shrubs begin contributing to your xeriscape before they reach full height, making them a practical early addition to the landscape. Costs vary by species, as the table below shows.

| 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. |

Xeriscaping Ongoing Costs: What to Budget For?

Xeriscaping is low-maintenance, but the plants still need care during the first two years before they are fully established, and most of that upkeep can be handled yourself to keep costs down. If you prefer to hire a professional for maintenance, expect to pay $50 to $100 per hour. A drip irrigation system may also require occasional repairs, which typically run $100 to $500, though you will only need to budget for those costs if something goes wrong with your equipment.

Why You Should Hire a Pro to Xeriscape Your Lawn

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.

Xeriscaping Additional Costs: What Should You Plan For?

While your xeriscaping project is underway, it is a practical time to tackle related add-ons, especially if you have already hired a pro and can bundle the work together. Common add-ons and their typical costs are listed below.

• Rainwater collection system cost: $3,000 to $5,000

• Soil testing cost: $1,400

• Soil amendment cost: $10 to $50 per cubic yard

• Lawn fertilization cost: $70 to $400

• Lawn aeration cost: $75 to $200

• Weed removal cost: $50 to $200

• Debris removal cost: $200 to $500

7 Ways You Can Save Money On Xeriscaping Costs

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.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

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.