According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), residential outdoor water use across the U.S. accounts for nearly 8 billion gallons of water daily, mainly for landscape irrigation. The average U.S. household uses more water outdoors than for showering and washing clothes combined. In the Southwest, the numbers can be higher.
One approach to mitigate that is xeriscaping, which the EPA defines as landscaping based on native, water-efficient plants to minimize the need for irrigation.
What is xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping is a water-conserving landscaping method developed especially for arid and semi-arid climates. The word is based on the Greek word "xeros," meaning "dry." The practice involves landscaping with native, slow-growing, drought-resistant plants. The system can be used effectively in any climate but is particularly beneficial in dry areas like the western U.S., says Kelly Fortune, SiteOne Landscape Supply senior category manager nursery.
Sam Leisman, System Pavers regional vice president, Arizona, adds that it can feature a variety of elements.
"Unlike traditional landscaping, which often features water-guzzling grass lawns and non-native plants, xeriscaping integrates native species, decorative elements and durable hardscapes," Leisman says. "It involves choosing drought-tolerant plants, using efficient irrigation techniques and ensuring thoughtful design strategies, including durable hardscapes such as paver patios, walkways and seating areas to create outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and sustainable."
Why is it important?
Xeriscaping is especially important in areas that are prone to drought or for homeowners looking for more sustainable lifestyles, Leisman says.
"It helps preserve precious resources (including time), can lower water bills and creates resilient landscapes that look good in even the most arid of conditions," Leisman says.
Fortune notes that the landscaping method has been used for centuries but gained traction in the 1980s when Denver Water coined the term. The utility wanted to promote less water usage during a multiyear drought and eventually created seven principles of xeriscaping. (Editor's Note: See next section for the seven principles.)
Fortune says xeriscaping’s many benefits include:
- Minimizing mosquitoes and attracting wildlife like butterflies and hummingbirds
- Less maintenance and fertilization
- Improves soil infiltration
- Easier to adhere to irrigation restrictions
- Many localities offer rebates for xeriscapes
- Upsell opportunity for hardscape, irrigation and lighting
“Although this type of landscape design strategy can be useful in any part of the country, it is more common in extremely dry arid areas that see little rainfall, like parts of the western U.S.," Fortune says. "Some areas that benefit the most from xeriscaping include Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and parts of Texas.”
How to create a xeriscape
To create a xeriscape garden, Fortune adheres to the seven key principles below:
- Sound landscaping planning and design
- Limitation of turf to appropriate and functional areas
- Use of drought-tolerant plants
- Efficient irrigation elements
- Proper soil amendments
- Use of mulches to reduce evaporation
- Appropriate landscape maintenance practices
Universities, conservationist communities, publications and associations can provide resources and inspiration, Fortune points out.
“One great example is the Colorado Waterwise community, which offers a dedicated resource area for xeriscape,” said Fortune. “Also, look for learning opportunities within the National Nursery and Landscape Association as well as local landscape associations.”
Leisman notes that in the past, people tended to consider xeriscaping more of a utilitarian ground cover that featured lots of gravel, rocks and a few drought-friendly plants. The goal was to reduce water consumption but not necessarily to have a usable outdoor space, but today, homeowners are looking to add more beauty and functionality to their xeriscaping.
"This includes integrating rich textures, colorful succulents, ornamental grasses and design-forward hardscapes like paver patios and walkways that balance aesthetics with usability," Leisman says.
There are many types of plants appropriate for xeriscaping besides just cacti, Fortune says. A few plant types best suited for xeriscaping, according to Fortune, include native or native cultivars specific to an ecoregional area; low water or drought-tolerant varieties; succulents and cacti; and flowering bulbs.
“Selecting plants along these lines will help keep maintenance low and limit irrigation needs, which are both important concepts in xeriscaping,” Fortune says. "Just like other landscapes, xeriscapes still require basic maintenance like irrigating, pruning, fertilizing, weeding and mowing. The difference with xeriscape is once it is established, it can reduce water consumption and maintenance costs up to 60 percent.”
Water-efficient sprinkler nozzles, drip irrigation systems, rain sensors and soil moisture sensors paired with a smart irrigation system help augment xeriscaping efforts and lead to financial and water savings. Irrigation needs to be checked and serviced on a routine basis, mulching will need to be redone yearly and pest control is still a factor to consider and charge for during maintenance visits, Fortune says.
The key to a successful xeriscape is to plan ahead, Leisman says.
"By using hardscape and mulch effectively, you can keep weeds from being an issue and have a space that nearly maintains itself," Leisman says. "You can use paver edging around plant beds, trees and gravel areas to define spaces, prevent erosion and keep a tidy, manicured appearance without constantly weeding."
Debunking the misconceptions
1. Xeriscaping is "antilawn."
Xeriscaping seeks to reduce the amount of turf and to ensure the chosen turf variety is suitable for the local environment and the landscape’s design and does not seek to remove turf all together, Fortune says.
However, because customers often relate lawns to a feeling of "lushness," it’s important for contractors to find a balance between pleasing customers and providing a landscape that works well with the local environment and can be maintained and kept attractive without excessive cost.
“Xeriscaping helps find solutions like good turf varieties, best use of turf in the design and getting creative with synthetic turf, smart irrigation technology and other types of plants and features,” Fortune says.
Leisman adds that people shouldn't pigeonhole xeriscaping ideas into just tearing up grass and replacing it with rocks and gravel. Contactors should confer with clients on how they want to use the space and choose hardscape elements like sitting walls and fire pits to create focal points that need no irrigation. Landscape pros can also incorporate shade structures like pergolas and covered patios to reduce the effects of heat and protect outdoor living spaces from intense sun. This can make a xeriscape area more comfortable year-round.
2. Xeriscapes are equated with rocks.
Contractors can achieve balance by incorporating elements like boulders and rocks, but ultimately a landscape has living things in it, Fortune says.
“Using only rocks for a large portion of the design could make the landscape unattractive," Fortune says. "Contractors can add interesting design elements with strategically placed large boulders and use mulches or pebbles for color and unique patterns. Contractors can also add art installations, like sculpture, but xeriscaping can help choose the best plants and turf varieties for those living elements customers want to see in landscape designs.”
3. Xeriscapes are "boring."
While consumers may initially feel xeriscape designs are monotonous, contractors can find balance by selecting plants that provide color, year-round interest and movement in the wind. Contractors also can use mulches, pebbles, boulders, clay and other elements to add color and variety, Fortune says
California perennials such as rosemary, lavender, Santa Barbara daisy, daffodils and Mexican sage, among others, are options. Honeysuckle and wisteria make for attractive climbing vines, and succulents like agave and aloe are beautiful in xeriscapes, Fortune says. Species such as blue oat grass and blue fescue grass have the same look but require less water and upkeep for customers who want grass. California poppies, lupine, clarkia and larkspur can be used for those who like color, as they require little water, but pack a colorful punch.
In Arizona, Leisman says top-performing xeriscape plants include native species like desert marigold, brittlebush and chuparosa or drought-tolerant succulents such as agave, aloe vera and various cacti or ornamental grasses. Contractors can even plant shade trees that need less water, such as Palo Verde and mesquite.
"In places where drought is likely, the key is to choose native species as these have evolved to thrive in low water conditions and are easier to keep alive with minimal effort," Leisman says. "Do a little research before buying plants as something marketed as drought-tolerant may not actually do well in your local climate."
4. You don't have to fully commit.
For those considering adding xeriscaping, Leisman recommends starting with just a small corner of an area to see if customers like it.
"By balancing hardscape and softscape elements such as plants and foliage, you can enjoy a functional, water-smart yard that’s as easy on the eyes as it is to care for, even in the driest conditions," Leisman says.
Looking ahead
Addressing future trends she sees coming up in terms of xeriscaping, Fortune believes consumers will continue to show interest in xeriscapes.
"Climate changes are forcing all parties to find ways to save time, water and money in the garden," Fortune says. “As the next generation of homeowners come into the market, they want to find ways to spend their time doing things outside the home and reducing the need for chores and expenditures will continue to be top of mind.”
Looking ahead, Leisman also sees an even greater emphasis on creating drought-friendly features that are truly integrated into outdoor living spaces.
"Homeowners want yards that are easy to maintain while being beautiful extensions of their home," Leisman says. "Increasingly, this means blending sustainable foliage with premium hardscape features like patios, driveways and outdoor seating areas."
