What Landscaping Adds the Most Value to a Home?

Landscaping can add significant value to your home - with the right projects boosting property value by 10% to 30%. Basic lawn care offers the highest return on investment at 217%, while landscape maintenance delivers a solid 104% ROI. The key is choosing simple, low-maintenance improvements that appeal to most buyers.

When you're moving to a new home, understanding which landscaping projects add the most value helps you make smart choices about your current property or your next one. This guide covers the highest-return landscaping investments that real estate experts recommend.

Why Landscaping Matters for Home Value

Studies show landscaping can increase property values by up to 20%, making it one of the smartest home improvements you can make. Research from Virginia Tech found that well-landscaped homes had a 5.5% to 12.7% price advantage over homes with no landscaping - that's $16,500 to $38,100 extra value on a $300,000 home.

Your yard creates the first impression for visitors and buyers. 92% of real estate agents suggest sellers improve curb appeal before listing, and 46% of buyers won't even look at homes with neglected exteriors.

The Science Behind Landscaping Value

Virginia Tech research shows that design sophistication is the highest-ranked factor adding perceived value to homes. Plant size comes second, followed by plant type. This means working with a landscape professional often pays off better than DIY efforts.

Highest ROI Landscaping Projects

Basic Lawn Care and Maintenance

ROI: 217% - The biggest bang for your buck

Standard lawn care service offers an incredible 217% return on investment, making it the top landscaping project for home value according to the National Association of Realtors' 2023 Remodeling Impact Report. This includes:

• Regular mowing and edging
• Weed control and fertilization
• Seasonal cleanup
• Fresh mulch around trees and beds

Why it works: A healthy, green lawn signals to buyers that the home is well-maintained. Professional mowing ranges from $36 to $205 per session, while mulching costs $20 to $45 per cubic yard.

Landscape Maintenance Program

ROI: 104% - Simple but effective

Basic landscape maintenance including mowing, pruning, and annual mulch application offers 104% ROI. Nearly 74% of real estate agents recommend sellers complete a landscape maintenance program before listing.

Key maintenance tasks include:

• Pruning shrubs and trees
• Removing dead plants and weeds
• Adding fresh mulch to garden beds
• Cleaning up debris

Tree Planting and Care

Added Value: $1,000 to $10,000 per tree

Mature trees can add $1,000 to $10,000 to home value depending on type and placement. Trees planted strategically for shade or privacy are especially attractive to buyers.

Best practices for tree value:

• Plant trees early - they gain value as they mature
• Choose native species that thrive in your climate
• Place trees to provide shade and privacy
• Maintain proper pruning and care

A shrub costs $25 to $50 on average, while trees cost $150 to $300, but trees provide better long-term value.

High-Value Hardscaping Projects

Paver Patios and Walkways

ROI: 100% - Instant appeal

Walkways made from natural flagstone provide 100% ROI when paired with landscaping elements like mulch and flowers. Well-designed patios offer 102% ROI and are highly desired by buyers.

Why patios add value:

• Extend outdoor living space
• Create functional entertainment areas
• Low maintenance once installed
• Appeal to buyers seeking outdoor amenities

Outdoor Kitchens

ROI: 100% - Premium feature

Outdoor kitchens cost an average of $15,000 but homeowners recover 100% of their investment. Popular features include:

• Built-in grills and cooking surfaces
• Outdoor bars with sinks
• Dining areas
• Fire pits for year-round use

Smart Irrigation Solutions

Sprinkler Systems

ROI: 83% - Practical and appealing

Sprinkler systems have an 83% ROI and earn a 9.4 "joy score" from homeowners. Installation costs range from $1,600 to $10,000, with an average of $2,500.

Benefits for home value:

• Shows the lawn has been well-maintained
• Reduces maintenance burden for future owners
• Ensures consistent watering
• Attractive to buyers in dry climates

Drought-Resistant Landscaping

Growing popularity in water-conscious areas

The American Society of Landscape Architects reports 10% growth in demand for drought-resistant landscaping. Artificial grass provides quick value-add and eliminates lawn care costs.

Outdoor Lighting

Landscape Lighting

ROI: 59% - Safety and beauty

Landscape lighting adds around $2,500 to home value with 59% ROI. LED lights provide the biggest rewards and can be installed as a DIY project.

Value-adding lighting features:

• Pathway lighting for safety
• Accent lighting for trees and plants
• Security lighting around entrances
• Solar-powered options for easy installation

What to Avoid - Low-Value Landscaping

High-Maintenance Features

Elaborate constructions like elaborate water gardens may require too much upkeep and can put off buyers. Features that hurt value include:

• Over-personalized designs (zen gardens in non-appropriate climates)
• High-maintenance water features
• Pools in northern climates
• Complex irrigation systems
• Exotic plants that don't suit the local climate

Overspending on Landscaping

Experts recommend keeping landscaping spending to 10-20% of your home's current value. Major renovations tend to have significantly lower returns than smaller projects according to real estate professionals and industry studies.

Best Practices for Maximum Value

Keep It Simple and Universal

The most effective landscaping ideas are sometimes the simplest, such as a clean, clutter-free garden. Keep the landscaping plan generic enough for most everyone to appreciate.

Simple improvements with big impact:

• Fresh mulch in garden beds
• Potted plants near entrances
• Regular weed removal
• Clean, edged lawn borders

Choose the Right Plants

Large deciduous, evergreen, and annual color plants with sophisticated design increase perceived value most Focus on:

• Native plants that thrive in your climate
• Low-maintenance perennials
• Shrubs that provide year-round interest
• Seasonal color with annuals

Professional vs. DIY

Investing in landscape design professionals optimizes home value. Professional designs typically deliver higher ROI than DIY projects, especially for complex installations.

When to hire professionals:

• Major hardscaping projects
• Tree planting and removal
• Irrigation system installation
• Overall landscape design

Regional Considerations

Climate-Appropriate Choices

Choose plants appropriate for your climate - not all plants thrive in every location. Research local growing conditions and pick plants suited to your area's sun, shade, and water requirements.

Market Preferences

Survey results from different regions show varying preferences. What works in one area may not appeal to buyers in another. Consider local real estate trends and buyer preferences.

Timing Your Landscaping Investment

Best Time to Start

The best time to plant a tree? Yesterday! Trees' value increases with age. Start landscaping projects well before you plan to sell to maximize their impact.

Seasonal Considerations

Plan projects during appropriate seasons:

• Spring: Plant installation and lawn renovation
• Summer: Maintenance and seasonal color
• Fall: Tree planting and preparation
• Winter: Planning and hardscaping

Maintenance for Long-Term Value

Ongoing Care Requirements

Low-maintenance designs are preferred by most homeowners. Focus on:

• Regular pruning and trimming
• Seasonal fertilization
• Weed control
• Mulch replacement
• Irrigation system maintenance

Protecting Your Investment

A lush, green lawn suggests a well-maintained home, making it more attractive to buyers. Consistent care protects your landscaping investment and ensures maximum value when selling.

Working with Your Moving Plans

When you're planning a move, timing landscaping improvements strategically can maximize your return. If you're selling, focus on high-impact, low-cost improvements like lawn care and fresh mulch. If you're buying, look for properties with mature landscaping that adds immediate value.

Consider your timeline when planning projects. Trees can take years to decades to reach maturity, so plant early or invest in mature specimens if you're selling soon.

Budget-Friendly Value Improvements

DIY Options

Basic yard care combined with mulching can boost home value by approximately $4,500. An investment of around $3,500 in curb appeal can result in increased home value of $12,000, representing a 238% ROI.

Low-cost, high-impact projects:

• Fresh mulch application
• Seasonal flower planting
• Lawn edging and cleanup
• Pressure washing walkways
• Pruning overgrown shrubs

Working with Nurseries

Many nurseries offer free or low-cost landscaping design ideas when you purchase plants and supplies from them. This can be a cost-effective alternative to hiring a full landscape designer.

Final Thoughts

Landscaping offers some of the highest returns on investment among home improvements. Basic lawn care delivers 217% ROI, while landscape maintenance provides 104% ROI. The key is choosing simple, low-maintenance projects that appeal to most buyers.

Focus on these high-value improvements: healthy lawn care, basic landscape maintenance, strategic tree planting, and simple hardscaping like patios and walkways. Avoid over-personalized or high-maintenance features that might turn off potential buyers.

Whether you're preparing for a move or just want to increase your home's value, smart landscaping choices pay off both in daily enjoyment and future resale value. Start with basic lawn care and maintenance - they offer the biggest return for the smallest investment.

Remember to keep landscaping spending to 10-20% of your home's value and focus on projects that will appeal to the widest range of buyers. With the right approach, your landscaping investment will pay dividends for years to come.