Alamo City Lawn & Stone
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Quick answer: Most San Antonio homeowners pay $45 to $95 per visit for routine lawn care and landscape maintenance. Full-service monthly plans run $150 to $450+ per month, and one-time projects, sod, xeriscape, irrigation, hardscape, design, range from a few hundred dollars to well over $10,000 depending on scope. Your final San Antonio landscaping cost comes down to lot size, the area’s caliche and clay soil, the services you need, and the strict SAWS watering rules that make water-wise design a smart investment here.
This guide breaks down real 2026 San Antonio-area pricing by service so you can budget before you call for a quote.
About these numbers: The ranges below reflect typical 2026 pricing across the San Antonio metro (Bexar County and the surrounding Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, and Medina county suburbs), based on common local service rates. Every property is different, soil, slope, access, and rock all move the price, so treat these as planning ranges, not firm quotes. For an exact figure on your yard, a written estimate is free: (210) 864-8662.
Related cost resources: Cost Calculator · Lawn Care Pricing
How Much Does Landscaping Cost in San Antonio?
At a glance, here is what San Antonio homeowners typically spend:
| Service | Typical San Antonio Cost (2026) | How It’s Billed |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn mowing & maintenance | $45 – $95 | Per visit |
| Full-service monthly plan | $150 – $450+ | Per month |
| Seasonal cleanup | $200 – $600 | Per visit |
| Sod installation | $1.20 – $2.25 / sq ft | Installed |
| Xeriscape conversion | $6 – $15 / sq ft | Installed |
| Mulch installation | $55 – $90 / cu yd | Installed |
| Sprinkler / irrigation system | $3,000 – $6,000 | Per system |
| Paver or stone patio | $14 – $40 / sq ft | Installed |
| Landscape design | $300 – $2,500 | Design fee |
| Full landscape makeover | $5,000 – $40,000+ | Per project |
The most common spend, the one most San Antonio homeowners ask about, is recurring lawn care, and that is where the $45 to $95 per visit range lives. The rest of this guide explains what sits inside each number.
San Antonio Lawn Care and Maintenance Costs
Recurring lawn care is the backbone of most San Antonio landscaping budgets. In South Texas heat, warm-season grasses, St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, and native buffalograss, grow hard through a long season, so regular mowing and edging keeps a lawn from getting away from you from spring into late fall.
Mowing and Recurring Maintenance by Lot Size
Per-visit pricing in San Antonio scales with lot size and how much trimming, edging, and bed work the property needs:
| Lot Size | Per-Visit Mow, Edge & Blow | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 5,000 sq ft) | $45 – $55 | Tight inner-city lots, Alamo Heights bungalows, townhomes |
| Medium (5,000 – 10,000 sq ft) | $55 – $75 | Most established Bexar County neighborhoods |
| Large (10,000 sq ft – ½ acre) | $75 – $95 | Bigger lots in Stone Oak, Helotes, Fair Oaks Ranch |
| Over ½ acre | $95+ | Quoted per property |
A standard visit covers mowing, string-trimming, edging beds and walkways, and blowing off hard surfaces. St. Augustine is mowed tall, around 3.5 to 4 inches, to shade the soil and hold moisture through the South Texas heat. Most lawns are cut weekly in the growing season and less often as growth slows in winter.
What Changes the Per-Visit Price
Within the $45 to $95 range, a few details push you toward the high or low end:
- Fenced or gated access that slows the crew down
- Heavy trimming around beds, trees, and rock outcrops
- Slope and rocky ground on Hill Country-edge lots north of the city
- Frequency, weekly accounts often price slightly lower per visit than one-off cuts
Full-Service Monthly Maintenance Plans
Homeowners who want one predictable bill usually move to a monthly plan:
| Plan Level | Monthly Cost | Typically Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $150 – $200 | Weekly mow, edge, blow |
| Standard | $200 – $325 | Mowing plus bed maintenance, light pruning, weed control |
| Premium | $325 – $450+ | Above plus fertilization, seasonal color, mulch refresh, irrigation checks |
Monthly plans make the most sense on medium and large lots where you want beds, shrubs, and turf all maintained to one standard.
Seasonal Cleanups
San Antonio’s two cleanup seasons are fall, when oaks and other trees drop, and after the spring and early-summer storms that bring high winds and hail to South Texas. A seasonal cleanup, hauling debris, cutting back perennials, refreshing beds, typically runs $200 to $600 depending on how much material comes off the property.
San Antonio Landscaping Project Costs
Beyond maintenance, most homeowners eventually take on one-time projects. These are priced by material and square footage, so the ranges are wider.
Sod and Lawn Installation
New sod is common after a hot, dry San Antonio summer thins a lawn. Installed pricing runs $1.20 to $2.25 per square foot, including soil prep, depending on the grass:
| Grass Type | Installed Cost / sq ft | San Antonio Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalograss | $1.20 – $1.90 | Native, lowest-water, great for full-sun, restriction-friendly lawns |
| Bermuda | $1.25 – $1.75 | Full sun, drought- and traffic-tough |
| Zoysia | $1.60 – $2.10 | Dense, lower water than St. Augustine |
| St. Augustine | $1.50 – $2.25 | Shade-tolerant, lush, the thirstiest choice |
For a typical 1,500-square-foot front yard, that works out to roughly $1,800 to $3,400 installed. With SAWS watering limits, many homeowners shift away from thirsty St. Augustine toward Bermuda, Zoysia, or native buffalograss to lower long-term water cost.
Xeriscape and Water-Wise Conversion
This is where San Antonio’s water rules turn into a smart investment. Converting thirsty turf to xeriscape, drought-tough native and adapted plants, decorative rock, mulch, and crisp edging, typically runs $6 to $15 per square foot installed, depending on plant density and hardscape. It costs more up front than sod, but it slashes water use under SAWS restrictions, and SAWS WaterSaver rebates and coupons can offset part of the cost for qualifying turf-to-xeriscape conversions, so ask about current programs before you start.
Mulch, Beds, and Planting
- Mulch installed: $55 to $90 per cubic yard, hardwood and native cedar mulch are the South Texas standards
- Flower bed install or refresh: $300 to $1,200 depending on size and plants
- Native and adapted plantings: priced per plan; tough South Texas choices like salvia, lantana, agave, Texas sage, esperanza, and ornamental grasses handle the heat and alkaline soil with little water
Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems
A well-designed system is essential in a city with some of the tightest watering rules in Texas:
| System | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New 4–6 zone system | $3,000 – $4,800 | Standard suburban yard |
| Larger 7+ zone system | $4,800 – $6,000+ | Bigger lots, mixed turf and beds |
| Drip conversion for beds | $1,500 – $4,000 | Water-wise, restriction-friendly |
| Repair / tune-up | $150 – $500 | Heads, valves, controller |
A licensed irrigator is required for new installs in Texas, and a weather-based smart controller plus drip on beds is the best way to keep plants healthy within SAWS’s watering schedule.
Hardscape: Patios, Walkways, and Walls
Limestone, flagstone, and decomposed granite suit San Antonio’s Hill Country-adjacent look and hold up to the heat:
| Hardscape | Installed Cost / sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decomposed granite path/patio | $6 – $12 | Affordable, natural, excellent drainage |
| Concrete paver patio | $14 – $28 | Durable, many styles |
| Limestone / flagstone patio | $20 – $40 | Premium South Texas look |
| Retaining wall (face) | $25 – $55 | Common on sloped north-side lots |
A 300-square-foot paver patio typically lands between $4,200 and $8,400, while the same patio in cut limestone can run $6,000 to $12,000. Where caliche or clay is present, proper base prep is what keeps hardscape from cracking and settling.
Landscape Design
A standalone design plan, scaled drawings, plant lists, and a phasing plan, runs $300 to $2,500 depending on lot size and detail. Many San Antonio homeowners roll the design fee into a larger design-build project, where it is credited back against the work.
Tree and Oak Care
San Antonio’s live oaks are a real asset, but they need informed care:
- Trimming / pruning: $150 to $650 per tree
- Large heritage oak: $500 to $1,500+
- Oak wilt consideration: in South Texas, oak pruning should avoid the February-through-June window and use sealed cuts to guard against oak wilt, a detail a local crew builds in automatically to protect the area’s oaks
What Drives Landscaping Cost in San Antonio?
Two similar-looking yards can carry very different price tags. Here is what actually moves your San Antonio landscaping cost.
Lot Size and Terrain
Square footage is the first lever, but terrain matters just as much here. Flatter lots on the south and east side are quick to mow and easy to build on. North-side lots toward Stone Oak, Helotes, and the Hill Country edge often have slope, rock, and limited access that add labor and equipment time.
Soil
San Antonio sits on two challenging soils, and both affect cost:
Caliche and Limestone (North)
Much of the north and northwest sits on caliche, a hard, rocky calcium-carbonate hardpan over limestone. It is tough and slow to dig, which raises the cost of irrigation trenching, footings, and planting beds, and beds often need imported soil and amendment. Its alkalinity can also trigger iron chlorosis (yellowing) in the wrong plants, so plant selection matters.
Blackland Clay (South and East)
Parts of the south and east side sit on heavy expansive clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. That movement cracks hardscape that is not set on a proper base, so patios and walls cost a bit more to build right.
Water Restrictions and the Edwards Aquifer
San Antonio’s water comes largely from the Edwards Aquifer, and SAWS (San Antonio Water System) sets year-round watering rules that tighten into drought stages, often limiting landscape watering to as little as once a week by address. That makes water-wise design, xeriscape, drip irrigation, native plants, and smart controllers, both a compliance issue and a long-term money-saver, on the water bill and on replacing plants that fail in the heat. It is the single biggest reason San Antonio landscapes trend more drought-tough than lawns in wetter cities.
Heat and Turf Choice
South Texas heat shapes turf cost. St. Augustine looks lush but is the thirstiest choice and the hardest to keep alive within SAWS limits. Bermuda, Zoysia, and native buffalograss cost far less to water through a San Antonio summer. The grass you choose shapes your spending, and your compliance, for years.
Cost-Saving Tips for San Antonio Homeowners
- Go water-wise. Native and xeriscape beds plus drip irrigation cost more to install but cut watering and plant-replacement costs every year, especially under SAWS drought stages.
- Ask about SAWS rebates. WaterSaver coupons and rebates can offset turf-to-xeriscape conversions, ask about current programs before you start.
- Choose drought-tough grass. Bermuda, Zoysia, or buffalograss over St. Augustine on full-sun lots saves water for the life of the lawn.
- Plant for alkaline caliche. Picking plants that tolerate high pH avoids the cost of replacing chlorotic, struggling shrubs.
- Time oak work correctly. Pruning oaks outside the oak-wilt risk window protects the area’s most valuable trees and avoids costly loss.
San Antonio Landscaping Cost FAQ
How much does lawn mowing cost in San Antonio?
Most San Antonio lawns are mowed for $45 to $95 per visit, scaling with lot size. Small inner-city lots run $45 to $55, while larger lots in Stone Oak, Helotes, and Fair Oaks Ranch reach $75 to $95. Weekly service usually prices slightly lower per visit than one-time cuts.
How do SAWS watering restrictions affect my landscape?
SAWS sets year-round watering rules tied to the Edwards Aquifer that can limit landscape watering to about once a week in drought stages. We design efficient drip and smart-controller systems and use drought-tough native plants so your landscape stays healthy and compliant, and we can point you to SAWS WaterSaver rebates for water-wise conversions.
What grass is best for a San Antonio lawn?
It depends on sun and water. St. Augustine is lush and shade-tolerant but the thirstiest and hardest to keep within watering limits. Bermuda, Zoysia, and native buffalograss are far more drought-tough for full-sun lots. We match the grass to your exposure and water budget.
Why is landscaping more expensive on north San Antonio lots?
North and northwest lots often sit on hard caliche over limestone, with slope and tight access. Digging for irrigation and footings is slow through caliche, beds need imported and amended soil, and hardscape needs more base work, all of which add labor and material cost.
How much does xeriscape cost in San Antonio?
Turf-to-xeriscape conversion typically runs $6 to $15 per square foot installed, depending on plant density and any hardscape. It costs more than sod up front but cuts water use sharply under SAWS rules, and WaterSaver rebates can offset part of the cost.
Is a full landscape makeover worth it in San Antonio?
A complete makeover ranges from $5,000 to $40,000+, but water-wise landscaping built for South Texas heat and SAWS limits adds curb appeal and resale value while lowering ongoing water and replacement costs. Phasing the work over time keeps it manageable.
Get an Exact San Antonio Landscaping Quote
These ranges are a planning tool, your real cost depends on your lot, soil, and goals. For a precise, no-obligation written estimate built around your property, San Antonio’s heat, and SAWS watering rules, reach San Antonio Pro Landscape at (210) 864-8662 for a free quote.
San Antonio Landscaping Services
For the latest local numbers, see our 2026 San Antonio Landscaping Price & Demand Report.