Xeriscaping: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What xeriscaping is

Xeriscaping designs and plants a low-water landscape with drought-tolerant plants, mulch, efficient irrigation and gravel or stone features, so the yard stays attractive with little watering. People choose it when water is costly or restricted, when lawns keep failing in hot dry summers, or when they want a yard that looks good without constant care.

Signs you need it

  • Your lawn browns out every summer and watering it costs more than you want to spend
  • Water runs off the hard, compacted soil instead of soaking in, so plants dry out fast
  • The yard has a hot, exposed spot where most plants struggle and die
  • Your water use is high and you want a landscape that needs far less of it
  • You want the yard to look planned and finished with plants that suit the local climate

What the pro does

  • The designer checks the sun, wind, soil, slope and existing plants, and notes where water runs off or pools
  • Turf that is not needed is removed, and the soil is loosened and amended where it will hold moisture
  • Drought-tolerant plants are grouped by water need, so each zone can be watered on its own schedule
  • Drip irrigation or low-volume heads are laid out for the zones, with a controller set to the plant needs
  • Mulch or gravel is spread over the bare soil, and the crew explains the first-season watering and care

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total area being converted from turf or bare soil
  • Number of plant zones and the mix of plants in each one
  • Irrigation work needed, from a simple drip kit to a full system
  • Soil preparation, including removing turf and amending compacted ground
  • Hardscape or gravel features such as paths, boulders or dry creek beds
  • Access to the yard, and how much old turf or debris must be hauled away
  • Whether the design work, the plant sourcing and the install are bundled together

What a written quote should spell out

  • A zone plan showing the plant groups and the water need of each zone
  • The plant list with species, sizes and quantities
  • The irrigation method, the controller and how each zone is watered
  • Soil prep, including turf removal, amendment and the depth of mulch or gravel
  • Any gravel, stone or hardscape materials, with the type and depth
  • The plant warranty and what the customer must do to keep the plants established

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which plants do you recommend for my sun and soil, and how much water do they need once established?
  • How do you group plants so each zone gets the right amount of water?
  • What irrigation do you install, and how is it scheduled?
  • How deep is the mulch or gravel, and how do you keep it from washing away?
  • How long does it take for the plants to establish, and what watering is needed in that time?
  • What is the plant warranty, and what does it cover?
  • Will the yard still look good in the middle of summer, and can you show me examples?

Red flags

  • They say a xeriscape means no water at all, even in the first season
  • They plant thirsty plants in the same zone as drought-tolerant ones
  • They lay gravel over bare, unprepared soil or landscape fabric with no plan
  • They will not show a zone plan or a plant list before the work starts
  • They promise the yard will never need water again

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can remove turf in small sections, plant drought-tolerant plants, and spread mulch or gravel on their own. Call a pro for large turf removal, for drip or sprinkler systems that connect to the water supply, and for any grading or drainage work. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling gravel and stone, and lift heavy rock with a helper.

Licenses and permits

Xeriscaping is commonly not licensed for plants and mulch, but irrigation and grading work within it is commonly licensed contractor work in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local water utility before you hire for the irrigation or grading parts.

Xeriscaping questions

Is a xeriscape the same as a rock garden?

No. Xeriscaping is a planting approach built around low water use, and it can include plants, mulch and gravel. A rock garden is one style that may or may not be low-water. Ask the designer what plants they will use and how each one is watered.

How long does a xeriscape take to establish?

Plants usually need regular watering through their first season, then less. The schedule depends on the plant and the climate, so ask the designer for a watering plan for the first year and the years after.

Will a xeriscape lower my water use?

It can, when the plants are grouped by need and the irrigation is set up to match. Ask the designer how they will measure water use or check it on your bill after the first season.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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