Does Landscaping Increase Home Value? (2026)

Yes, landscaping increases home value. According to the ASLA home value estimate, investing in landscaping can boost your home’s value by 15% to 20%, and Angi reports the upper range reaches 30% for properties moving from severely neglected to professionally maintained condition.

Five findings from the research set the stage:

1. Landscaping raises home value by 15% to 20% in typical improvement scenarios (ASLA) and up to 30% in high-improvement cases.
2. 71% of homebuyers consider curb appeal when deciding whether to visit a property, according to NAR.
3. Basic lawn care, the least expensive project category, returns 217% ROI per NAR survey data, the highest of any landscaping investment.
4. Starting condition determines your outcome: homes improving from average to excellent see a 5.5% to 11.4% perceived value gain (Virginia Tech Extension study); homes improving from neglected to excellent can approach the top of the range.
5. Timeline shapes what is practical: most plantings need 60 to 90 days to look established, while cosmetic-only improvements can be completed in the final 30 days before listing.

This guide covers which projects earn the highest ROI, which landscaping choices hurt your value, how the rule of 3 applies to curb appeal, how to prioritize investments by budget and listing timeline, and whether the expense makes more sense than selling as-is.

Because the answer is yes, the more useful question is how much, and which projects deliver that increase.

Does landscaping increase home value?

What the research shows (key statistics at a glance)

Yes, landscaping increases home value, and multiple independent studies confirm both the direction and the scale of that effect.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) estimates that quality landscaping can increase home value by 15% to 20%. A Clemson University and University of Maryland study found that buyers pay up to 11.3% more for homes with excellent landscaping versus homes with no landscaping at all. The Virginia Tech Extension program found that improving a property from average to excellent landscaping condition raises perceived home value by 5.5% to 11.4%.

NAR data reinforces buyer behavior: 97% of realtors believe curb appeal is crucial for attracting buyers, and 71% of homebuyers say it influences their decision to tour a property.

Which factors determine your outcome

The range of outcomes, 5% at the low end to 30% at the high end, reflects four variables:

• Starting condition: A neglected yard offers far more room to improve than a yard that is already well-maintained.
• Project quality: Professionally designed and installed landscaping consistently outperforms DIY work in buyer perception studies.
• Market type: Competitive seller’s markets amplify curb-appeal effects because buyers make fast decisions based on first impressions.
• Neighborhood price ceiling: Even excellent landscaping cannot push a home’s value above what comparable sales in the area support.

Because the answer is yes, the more useful question is how much, and which projects deliver that increase.

How much does landscaping increase home value?

Why studies show different ranges (5% to 30%)

The range in published figures is not a sign of conflicting data. It reflects the gap between where a property starts and where it ends up after improvement.

According to Angi’s landscaping value analysis, landscaping can increase home value by 10% to 30%. That upper figure applies to properties moving from severely neglected to professionally designed and maintained. ASLA’s 15% to 20% estimate covers typical residential improvement scenarios. The Virginia Tech study’s 5.5% to 11.4% range describes the specific transition from average to excellent condition. None of those figures contradict each other; they describe different improvement scenarios.

The Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association estimates that landscaping can increase resale value by up to 14% and speed a home sale, which aligns with the middle of the overall range.

What “average” vs. “excellent” means in practice

Appraisers and buyer perception researchers use a five-point scale when rating landscaping condition. “Average” typically describes a maintained lawn with basic plantings and no notable design elements. “Excellent” describes a property with a planned planting scheme, defined bed edges, a clear entry focal point, and no deferred maintenance.

The difference between average and excellent is rarely a six-figure renovation. For most properties, $2,000 to $10,000 in targeted improvements focused on front-facing areas buyers see first closes that gap.

Knowing the range is useful, but the more actionable question is which specific projects account for those gains.

What landscaping adds the most value?

Basic lawn care returns more per dollar than any other landscaping investment. NAR landscaping ROI data shows a 217% ROI on basic lawn care and a 104% ROI on general landscape maintenance. According to landscaping ROI by project type, strategic improvements like outdoor kitchens and paver patios can recover 95% to 100% of their installation costs.

The table below summarizes key projects by average cost, estimated value added, and return on investment.

Project	Avg Cost	Est. Value Added	ROI	Notes
Basic lawn care (mowing, fertilizing, weed control)	$300 to $500/yr	$650 to $1,000+	217%	Highest ROI of any landscaping investment (NAR)
Landscape maintenance (mulching, pruning, bed cleanup)	$500 to $1,000	$520 to $1,040	104%	For maintained properties; NAR survey data
Front walkway upgrade	$2,000 to $5,000	$2,000 to $5,000	~100%	High buyer visibility; guides visitors to entry
Paver patio installation	$3,000 to $10,000	$2,850 to $10,000	95% to 100%	Strongest in outdoor-living markets (LawnStarter)
Wood deck	$10,000 to $15,000	$8,300 to $12,450	83%	Remodeling magazine Cost vs. Value data
Tree planting (young deciduous)	$150 to $1,500	$1,000 to $10,000 at maturity	Varies	Value accrues over years; best for long timelines
Landscape lighting	$2,000 to $4,000	$1,180 to $2,360	59%	Extends showing appeal to evening hours (NAR)
Native plant installation	$1,000 to $4,000	Varies	Strong in dry climates	Low-maintenance signal; valued in drought-prone markets
Outdoor kitchen	$10,000 to $30,000	$10,000 to $30,000+	100%+	ROI strongest in Sun Belt markets (LawnStarter)
Irrigation or sprinkler system	$3,000 to $7,000	Varies	Climate-dependent	Best ROI in dry climates; neutral in rainy markets

Based on NAR survey data and LawnStarter project analysis, 2026. Verify current costs with local contractors before investing.

Basic lawn care and maintenance (highest ROI)

Basic lawn care, which includes mowing, fertilizing, weed control, and watering, costs $300 to $500 per year and produces a 217% ROI according to NAR. No other landscaping investment delivers a higher return per dollar spent. General landscape maintenance, including mulching, pruning, and seasonal bed cleanup, adds another 104% ROI on top of that foundation.

These two categories alone move a property from neglected to maintained, which is where the largest single jump in buyer perception occurs.

Trees and shrubs

A single mature tree can add $1,000 to $10,000 in appraised value, according to NAR-adjacent research. Young trees planted near the listing date do not deliver that value immediately. The best pre-listing use of tree planting is replacing dead or diseased specimens and adding fast-growing ornamental trees near the entry, where buyers notice them first.

Hardscaping: patios, walkways, and outdoor living

Paver patios return 95% to 100% of their cost in markets where outdoor living is a buyer expectation. Front walkway upgrades return close to 100% of cost and serve double duty by guiding buyers toward the front door with a positive first impression. Hardscaping materials should match the home’s exterior to avoid the mismatched-addition effect that reduces buyer perception of cohesion.

Landscape lighting

Landscape lighting costs $2,000 to $4,000 installed and returns roughly 59% of that figure. The ROI number understates the behavioral benefit: lighting extends the hours a property presents well, which matters for evening drive-bys and twilight showings that are common in competitive markets.

Outdoor kitchens and premium features

Outdoor kitchens return 100% or more of their cost in Sun Belt markets and areas where buyers actively seek outdoor entertaining space. In colder climates or markets where outdoor living is less central to buyer expectations, the return drops significantly. This project makes the most sense when comparable homes in the neighborhood already include outdoor kitchens, bringing the property to competitive parity rather than pushing it above the market standard.

Knowing which projects return the most doesn’t help if you invest in ones that work against you.

Landscaping that can hurt your home’s value

Not every landscaping decision adds value. Several common choices reduce buyer appeal or create concerns that surface in negotiations.

According to how landscaping affects property value, some investments work against sellers when they misjudge the market or the neighborhood standard.

Over-landscaping relative to neighborhood price ceiling

Spending $40,000 or more on premium plantings for a $250,000 home rarely returns full investment. Comparable sales in the neighborhood set a ceiling on what buyers will pay, regardless of how well-designed the yard is. Your home can only appreciate to the level the market supports.

A practical benchmark is to keep total landscaping investment below 10% of the home’s current value and to compare your yard to the three to five best-maintained homes within two blocks. If your yard already matches or exceeds those comparables, additional investment returns diminish quickly.

Poor plant choices: invasive species and high-water-demand

Invasive species create disclosure obligations in some states. Buyers who learn about invasive plants during inspection may request removal as a sale condition, which can delay closing or reduce your net proceeds. High-water-demand plants signal future maintenance costs to buyers, especially in drought-prone markets.

Native and drought-tolerant plants consistently score well in buyer perception surveys because they signal low future upkeep, a meaningful selling point for buyers comparing properties.

DIY hardscaping done incorrectly

Poorly executed hardscaping, such as uneven pavers, improperly graded patios that drain toward the foundation, or retaining walls without adequate drainage, triggers red flags during inspection. A $3,000 DIY patio that inspectors flag for drainage problems can result in a $5,000 to $10,000 price reduction request from buyers. A professionally installed smaller project typically produces better results than a large DIY installation that raises inspection concerns.

Pools and water features: when they hurt, when they help

Pools reduce home value in colder markets, where buyers view them primarily as maintenance costs and liability exposure. In Sun Belt markets where buyers expect pools as lifestyle amenities, a well-maintained pool can add value and accelerate the sale. The deciding factor is whether competing homes at the same price point in your market include pools. If they do, a pool brings you to parity. If they don’t, it narrows your buyer pool.

Small water features such as fountains and decorative ponds carry similar market-dependency. Avoid them if neighborhood comparable sales do not show buyers paying a premium for those features.

Avoiding the wrong projects matters, and so does understanding the design principles that make the right ones work.

What is the rule of 3 in landscaping?

Definition: grouping elements in odd numbers

The rule of 3 in landscaping is the design principle of grouping plants or design elements in sets of three to create visual balance and a natural, organic appearance. According to the rule of three design principle, the human eye perceives odd-number groupings as more natural and less rigid than even-numbered arrangements, a response rooted in how people process symmetry and organic form.

The principle extends to five-element and seven-element groupings as well. Three is simply the minimum odd number that creates the effect.

How to apply it to plant selection and color

Apply the rule of 3 by selecting one dominant plant (tallest or most structural), one secondary plant (mid-height or complementary texture), and one accent plant (low-growing or flowering) for each visible bed grouping. Use three color tones: a primary foliage color, a contrasting accent, and a neutral or transitional tone.

Practical examples for entry-area planting: – Three ornamental grasses at varied heights along a foundation bed – Three matching shrubs flanking the front walkway at even spacing – Three color-coordinated flowering perennials as a border accent at the entry steps

Using the rule of 3 for hardscape and focal points

The rule of 3 applies equally to hardscape. Three lighting fixtures along a walkway create rhythm without looking uniform. Three decorative boulders of different sizes form a natural focal point that two matching boulders would not achieve. Three steps at the entry flanked by two symmetrical plantings creates a welcoming visual frame that buyers respond to before they reach the door.

Why it increases curb appeal and perceived value

Landscapes that follow the rule of 3 consistently score higher in buyer curb-appeal perception surveys. The principle guides the type of planting that supports the value increases documented in ASLA and NAR research. A front bed with three well-chosen shrubs flanking an upgraded walkway, for example, combines a near-100% ROI hardscape improvement with a design technique that amplifies buyer perception of the entire property.

With an understanding of what works and how to arrange it, the practical question becomes: how do you prioritize these decisions before you list?

How to prioritize landscaping before selling

Budget determines which projects are available to you, and your timeline determines which ones are practical. The framework below maps three budget levels to specific projects with a timeline matrix for each.

Budget under $500: lawn care and cleanup first

At this budget, focus entirely on items that create maximum perceived value per dollar:

• Lawn care: mow, edge, fertilize, and address bare patches (217% ROI per NAR)
• Power washing: clean driveways, walkways, and the front facade
• Weeding: clear all visible bed areas completely
• Entry planting: add a flat of seasonal annuals at the front door ($30 to $50)
• Edging: define all bed edges sharply against the lawn

These steps address the gap between neglected and maintained, which is where the largest single jump in buyer perception occurs per dollar spent.

Budget $500 to $2,500: walkway, mulch, and targeted

At this tier, you can address the most buyer-visible elements after the lawn itself:

• Fresh mulch: refresh all visible beds (2 to 3 cubic yards covers most front yards)
• Seasonal annuals at entry: plant two to three color groupings using the rule of 3
• Front walkway: repair cracked sections, re-edge, and add a simple border treatment (near-100% ROI on the walkway component)
• Shrub removal or shaping: remove overgrown or diseased shrubs blocking windows or obscuring the entry

Budget $2,500 to $10,000: patio, lighting, and feature trees

With this budget, you can add features that directly compete with comparable listings:

• Patio resurfacing or new install: $3,000 to $8,000 (95% to 100% ROI)
• Landscape lighting installation: $2,000 to $4,000 (59% ROI; adds appeal for evening showings)
• Feature trees: one to two small ornamental trees at key sight lines ($500 to $1,500 planted; long-term value of $1,000 to $10,000 per tree)

Timeline: 30, 60, and 90 days before listing

Timeline	Viable Projects	What to Avoid
90 days before listing	All tiers; full plant-and-grow window available	No significant constraints
60 days before listing	All plantings and most installs; maintenance focus to fill in gaps	New tree planting in extreme heat
30 days before listing	Lawn, mulch, edging, cleanup, and lighting only	Large installs; new plantings that need settling time

NAR data shows 71% of buyers are influenced by curb appeal, and first impressions form within seconds of seeing a home’s exterior. Those impressions set the buyer’s psychological price ceiling before they step inside. At every budget level, the goal is ensuring the first 10 seconds of the showing work in your favor.

Once you know what to spend and when, the final question is whether the investment is worth making at all, or whether selling as-is makes more financial sense.

Is it worth spending money on landscaping?

Yes, spending money on landscaping is worth it for most sellers. The evidence is consistent across multiple independent research sources, with important caveats about investment size and local market conditions.

When yes: the math for average-to-excellent improvements

Four evidence nodes support the case:

1. Virginia Tech Extension: Improving landscaping from average to excellent raises perceived home value by 5.5% to 11.4%.
2. NAR survey: The average homeowner can expect a 104% ROI on general landscape maintenance.
3. Clemson University and University of Maryland: Buyers pay up to 11.3% more for homes with excellent landscaping versus homes with no landscaping.
4. Project Evergreen lawn value research: Maintained lawns consistently contribute to positive property valuations in residential markets, reinforcing the NAR maintenance ROI finding.

For a $350,000 home, an 11% value increase equals $38,500. Achieving that outcome typically requires $5,000 to $15,000 in targeted improvements, producing a net gain of $23,500 to $33,500.

When to be cautious: over-investment scenarios

Caution is warranted when the investment would exceed 10% of the home’s value or when comparable sales in the neighborhood do not support a higher price point. Spending $50,000 on landscaping in a $300,000 neighborhood where comparable sales cap at $340,000 compresses your ROI regardless of project quality. The ceiling is set by the market, not the yard.

Sellers with tight timelines, homes in markets where interior condition is the primary value driver, and properties where exterior condition is not a typical buyer priority may see smaller returns from landscaping investment.

For a broader view of how property improvements fit within an overall investment approach, see real estate ROI strategies covering multiple asset classes and improvement categories.

The market factor: where landscaping ROI is strongest

Landscaping ROI is highest in three market conditions:

• Competitive seller’s markets: Buyers make faster decisions and rely more heavily on curb appeal as a price signal when inventory is low.
• Sun Belt and Pacific Northwest markets: Outdoor living is a lifestyle expectation, and buyers actively compare outdoor spaces when evaluating similar listings.
• Properties below the neighborhood landscaping average: The greatest room for improvement translates directly into the greatest potential gain.

For sellers weighing a $50,000 total value increase goal, landscaping is one component of a broader improvement strategy.

How to increase home value by $50,000

A $50,000 increase in home value is achievable for most mid-priced properties through a combination of landscaping, exterior upgrades, and targeted interior improvements. Landscaping alone can realistically contribute $10,000 to $25,000 toward that goal.

Landscaping’s contribution to a $50,000 target

Here is what targeted landscaping can realistically add toward a $50,000 goal:

• Patio install ($8,000 to $10,000; 95% to 100% ROI): $7,600 to $10,000 value gain
• Front walkway upgrade ($3,000; ~100% ROI): $3,000 value gain
• Lawn care and maintenance ($500; 217% ROI): $1,085 in perceived value
• Feature tree ($500 to $1,500 planted): $1,000 to $10,000 value at maturity

Realistic total landscaping contribution: $10,000 to $25,000 toward a $50,000 improvement goal.

Combining curb appeal with interior and structural upgrades

The remaining $25,000 to $40,000 typically requires interior work. Minor kitchen updates carry an estimated 96% cost recovery in some surveys. Bathroom refreshes, new flooring, and fresh neutral-tone paint contribute to the interior perception buyers weigh alongside curb appeal. According to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, garage door replacement consistently ranks among the highest-ROI single exterior projects and delivers 90% or more cost recovery in most markets.

Realistic scenarios by home price tier

At a $300,000 home, ASLA’s 15% to 20% upper estimate implies a theoretical gain of $45,000 to $60,000. That figure represents perceived value under favorable conditions, not a guaranteed appraisal increase. Actual gain depends on comparable sales support in the neighborhood.

At a $500,000 home, the same percentage range implies $75,000 to $100,000 in potential value added. The absolute cost to reach excellent landscaping condition also scales up, but the proportional ROI math stays similar.

Before committing to a $50,000 improvement plan, review current housing market conditions to confirm your local market supports the value increase you are targeting. For a buyer’s perspective on how purchase price and affordability interact at different price points, the home price affordability guide shows the financial lens buyers bring to negotiations.

Should you invest in landscaping or sell as-is?

If the cost and timeline of landscaping improvements don’t fit your situation before your listing date, selling as-is to a cash buyer is a straightforward alternative. Cash buyers purchase homes in their current condition, which means no lawn schedule, no planting timeline, no patio installation, and no waiting for mulch to settle before photos.

Through iBuyer.com, you can request competing cash offers from buyers ready to purchase without requiring curb-appeal improvements first. If your timeline is short or your improvement budget is limited, comparing a cash offer to your expected net proceeds after landscaping expenses gives you a clear picture of which path puts more money in your pocket.

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