If you're a homeowner thinking about selling, or a landscaper looking for the right pitch to close more jobs, the numbers on landscaping ROI are worth knowing. Good landscaping doesn't just look nice -- it directly moves the needle on what a home sells for. Here's what the data actually says.

The Quick Answer

Landscaping can increase a home's perceived value by 5.5% to 15%, according to a Virginia Tech Extension study. On a $400,000 home, that's $22,000 to $60,000 in added value.

Here's how the top projects stack up by ROI at resale:

Standard lawn care (mowing, edging, seasonal maintenance): 217% ROI
Landscape maintenance (mulching, pruning, weed control): 104% ROI
Retaining walls: 100--200% ROI
Tree care: 87% ROI
Landscape lighting: 59% ROI
In-ground pool: 56% ROI

The pattern is clear: basic maintenance beats expensive features every time.

Why Landscaping Moves Home Sale Prices

Buyers form an impression of a home in the first 7 seconds. That impression happens outside, before they ever walk through the door.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 97% of real estate agents say curb appeal matters when attracting buyers. And 92% recommend sellers improve it before listing. Neglected yards drag sale prices down by 5% to 15% compared to well-maintained properties.

The flip side: upgrading landscaping from average to excellent can boost perceived home value by 10% to 12%. On a $400,000 home, that's a $40,000 to $48,000 bump -- from mowing, mulching, and keeping things clean.

The Highest-ROI Landscaping Projects

Standard Lawn Care -- 217% ROI

This is the biggest return in any home improvement category. Regular mowing, edging, fertilizing, and seasonal cleanup. No big installs, no specialty equipment.

Spending $1,500 per year on lawn maintenance adds $3,255 of value at closing. That's not a typo. Buyers pay a significant premium for a lawn that looks cared for and doesn't require immediate work.

Landscape Maintenance -- 104% ROI

Mulching beds, pruning shrubs, weeding, and seasonal cleanup fall under "landscape maintenance." The NAR Remodeling Impact Report shows this returns just over 100% at resale.

Fresh mulch is especially high impact for the cost. A $500 mulch refresh can make an entire yard look brand new to a buyer walking up the driveway.

Retaining Walls -- 100--200% ROI

Well-built retaining walls serve a functional purpose -- preventing erosion and managing slope -- and look polished doing it. They tend to appraise well because buyers can see the structural value, not just aesthetics.

Tree Care -- 87% ROI

Mature trees add shade, privacy, and character. Studies show homes with large, healthy trees sell faster than comparable properties without them. Trimming, treating, or removing a dangerous tree before listing is money well spent.

The Projects With the Lowest ROI

Not every landscaping project pays off. In-ground pools return just 56 cents on the dollar at resale. Some buyers see them as liability, maintenance cost, and safety risk -- not an asset.

High-end custom water features, outdoor kitchens, and elaborate lighting setups rarely recoup their full cost either. They're nice amenities, but buyers won't pay dollar-for-dollar for them.

The rule of thumb: projects that reduce maintenance for future buyers (like perennial plantings or good drainage) return more than projects that add maintenance (like pools, fountains, or extensive seasonal gardens).

Landscaping Projects Worth Doing Before You List

If you're planning to sell in the next 6 to 12 months, here's where to put your budget:

Get the lawn in shape. Fertilize, treat bare spots, and mow consistently for 4--6 weeks before listing. Lawn service costs $150--$500/month depending on yard size.
Refresh mulch in all beds. Budget $300--$800 for a full refresh. This is the single highest-impact visual improvement per dollar.
Remove anything dead or overgrown. Dead shrubs and overgrown trees signal neglect. Tree trimming runs $250--$800 per tree.
Pressure wash the driveway and walkways. Clean hardscape makes the whole property look cared for. A pro wash runs $150--$400.
Add color at the entry. Fresh annuals in the flower beds near the front door cost $100--$300 and photograph beautifully for listing photos.

What This Means If You're a Landscaper

Pre-listing landscaping is one of the best conversations you can have with homeowners. The pitch is simple: "You're about to put your home on the market. Every dollar you spend on curb appeal comes back to you at closing -- and then some."

Real estate agents are also a referral source worth cultivating. When a listing agent recommends a landscaper to their seller clients, that's recurring work with no acquisition cost on your end. A single relationship with a top-producing agent can mean 10 to 20 referrals a year.

The data also supports upselling maintenance contracts. If a homeowner is spending $2,000/year on maintenance and their home sells for $4,000 more as a result, they're ahead. Frame it that way.

Bottom Line

Basic landscaping maintenance returns more than almost any other home improvement project. Standard lawn care at 217% ROI beats kitchen remodels, bathroom upgrades, and most interior renovations. The biggest mistake sellers make is spending on the wrong things -- a $50,000 pool that adds $28,000 in perceived value instead of $3,000 in mulch and mowing that adds more.

If you're a landscaper and you want to make it easy for homeowners to get instant estimates before they call, try QuoteSnap for free. It lets customers get a price right on your website, so you capture leads before they move on to the next Google result.

Landscaping Projects That Increase Home Value Most: 2026 ROI Guide for Homeowners