Native Landscaping in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio Water System (SAWS) runs one of the most well-structured landscape rebate programs in Texas. With free landscape design plans and up to $500/yr in coupons, it's designed to make native landscaping accessible and straightforward.
Up to $500/yr through SAWS WaterSaver coupons + free design plans
Available Rebate Programs
WaterSaver Landscape Coupon
Up to $500/yr (4 coupons × $125)San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
Each $125 coupon covers 200 sq ft of grass removal and 15 new native or adapted plants. Up to 4 coupons per year. Free "Plant by Numbers" landscape design plans available at GardenStyleSA.com.
- Must be a SAWS residential water customer
- Remove at least 200 sq ft of grass per coupon
- Plant 15 new plants per coupon area
- Remove all automatic sprinklers or drip lines in the area
Rebate programs change regularly. Always confirm details directly with the program provider before applying. View all Texas programs.
Recommended Native Plants for San Antonio
These native plants are well-adapted to the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains ecoregions and have growth habits that work well in HOA-conscious front yard designs.
Cenizo (Texas Sage)
Leucophyllum frutescens
Silver-leaved evergreen shrub that blooms purple after rain. Extremely low-maintenance.
Flame Acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
Red-orange tubular flowers attract hummingbirds. Handles SA heat.
Mexican Honeysuckle
Justicia spicigera
Evergreen with orange flowers. Does well in San Antonio's milder winters.
Blackfoot Daisy
Melampodium leucanthum
Compact white daisy that thrives in rocky, alkaline San Antonio soil.
Agarito
Mahonia trifoliata
Evergreen native shrub with fragrant yellow flowers and wildlife berries.
Mealy Blue Sage
Salvia farinacea
Reliable blue bloomer. Commonly seen in San Antonio commercial landscaping.
Explore the full native plant library in the Pollinator Patch app, filtered by your specific ecoregion.
HOA Landscaping in San Antonio
San Antonio has extensive master-planned communities, especially on the north and northwest sides. SAWS provides free "Plant by Numbers" landscape design plans at GardenStyleSA.com, which can help demonstrate intentional design when discussing changes with an HOA board.
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 San Antonio
- SAWS WaterSaver coupons open March 1 each year — mark your calendar and apply early.
- Each coupon covers 200 sq ft. You can use up to 4 per year for a phased conversion approach.
- GardenStyleSA.com offers 20+ free landscape plans designed for San Antonio conditions.
- San Antonio's climate sits between the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains — you can grow a wide range of natives.
Plan Your San Antonio Native Yard
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right native plants for San Antonio's Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains ecoregions, design an HOA-conscious layout, and generate documentation for rebate applications.