Native Landscaping in Austin, TX
Austin sits at the crossroads of the Edwards Plateau and Blackland Prairies — giving homeowners access to a rich palette of drought-adapted native plants. The city actively encourages lawn-to-native conversion through rebate programs.
Multiple rebate programs available through Austin Water and LCRA
Available Rebate Programs
WaterWise Landscaping Rebate
Varies by projectAustin Water
Rebates for converting turf grass to native or drought-tolerant landscaping. Requires at least 75% healthy grass before conversion. Online application available.
- Must be an Austin Water residential customer
- Existing turf must be at least 75% healthy
- Apply online through Austin Water residential rebate portal
WaterSmart Rebates
Up to $3,000 total (50% of costs)Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
Turf conversion at $0.50/sq ft (min 200 sq ft, up to $2,000). Also covers compost, mulch, aeration, soil testing, irrigation evaluations, and equipment retrofits. 50% of total cost, up to $3,000 per residential property.
- Must be an LCRA domestic use customer or receive water from an LCRA customer utility
- Pre-approval required for turf conversion
- Minimum 200 sq ft of healthy turf for conversion
- Submit application within 90 days of installation
Rebate programs change regularly. Always confirm details directly with the program provider before applying. View all Texas programs.
Recommended Native Plants for Austin
These native plants are well-adapted to the Edwards Plateau and Blackland Prairies ecoregions and have growth habits that work well in HOA-conscious front yard designs.
Blackfoot Daisy
Melampodium leucanthum
Low-growing, tidy bloomer that thrives in Austin limestone soils. Excellent near walkways.
Flame Acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
Hummingbird magnet with a neat form. Handles Central Texas heat well.
Mealy Blue Sage
Salvia farinacea
Long-blooming, compact, and one of the most HOA-friendly native perennials.
Lindheimer Muhly
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri
Graceful ornamental grass. Adds structure and movement to native beds.
Texas Mountain Laurel
Sophora secundiflora
Evergreen tree with fragrant spring blooms. Formal appearance suits front yards.
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Familiar, cheerful blooms that signal intentional planting to neighbors and HOAs.
Explore the full native plant library in the Pollinator Patch app, filtered by your specific ecoregion.
HOA Landscaping in Austin
Austin has a diverse HOA landscape ranging from historic neighborhoods with minimal restrictions to newer master-planned communities with detailed architectural review. The city does not override HOA rules, but Austin Water programs provide documentation that can support HOA conversations about water-wise landscaping changes.
HOA-Conscious Design Tips
- Start with clean edges and defined bed shapes — structure signals care more than plant choice.
- Place shorter plants near the street and taller ones near the house for a tidy layered look.
- Use mulch between plants to signal intentional planting and reduce bare-soil concerns.
- Repeat 2–3 plant species for a cohesive, planned appearance rather than a random mix.
Local Tips for Austin
- Austin Water offers free irrigation evaluations to help reduce outdoor water use.
- Many Austin nurseries (such as Barton Springs Nursery and The Natural Gardener) specialize in Texas natives.
- Edwards Plateau soils are often alkaline and rocky — choose limestone-loving plants for best results.
- Austin summers are hot and dry. Native plants establish best when planted in fall (October–November).
Plan Your Austin Native Yard
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right native plants for Austin's Edwards Plateau and Blackland Prairies ecoregions, design an HOA-conscious layout, and generate documentation for rebate applications.