Landscapers say sustainable gardens can raise property values up to 30% and cut sales time by 80%. Spanish developers increasingly invest in water-wise landscaping.
A well-designed garden is no longer just a decorative afterthought — it’s a high-return investment that can materially change how fast and for how much a property sells. Landscapers and developers report that green spaces can account for as much as 30–35% of a development’s perceived value and shorten the sales cycle by roughly 80%, helping projects reach market sooner and at a stronger price.
Beyond curb appeal, landscaping is now sold as a full-service package: garden design, plant selection, outdoor lighting, and hardscape elements such as pergolas and bars. “A garden is the same as a house only on the outside,” say professionals who treat exterior spaces as integral living areas that add measurable economic value. According to them, the value of a development is the sum of facilities, services and architectural quality — and a weak garden can undercut an otherwise high-quality project.
Sustainability drives value and demand
Today’s valuable gardens must also be sustainable. Climate shifts with hotter, drier summers mean large lawns and thirsty, exotic species are increasingly seen as impractical. Leading landscape studios in Spain are moving toward naturalistic, drought-tolerant plantings that cut water and fertilizer use while retaining ornamental appeal. This approach satisfies buyers and aligns with long-term operating cost savings, which buyers factor into willingness to pay.
The trend mirrors international markets: in the United Kingdom, gardens have long been valued as assets and can add roughly 10% to a home’s purchase price. In Spain, the landscaping boom has accelerated — it is now hard to talk about luxury or high quality in a new development without a strong landscaping proposal.
Spanish studios and signature projects
Madrid-based Planta Paisajistas, led by Olmo Rengifo and Enriqueta León, exemplifies the shift. Since 2012 they have designed gardens across Spain — from Madrid and Segovia to Ronda — and produce about a dozen projects yearly. One notable commission near El Escorial, on the slopes of Mount Abantos, pairs a sculptural house by Aranguren Gallegos with careful planting; the property (known as Szoke) even served as a filming location for Pedro Almodóvar’s La habitación del al lado (2024). Creation timelines for these projects typically run two to three months depending on client revisions, yet the outcome often means “spectacular revaluation” of the estate.
Diversification and investment
Some landscapers are integrating productive elements such as vineyards into estate design, blending beauty with economic utility. Geography matters: designers are active across Extremadura, the Balearics, Cantabria and beyond, often for Madrid-based clients with recreational or hunting estates. The arrival of investors from Latin America has also helped fuel demand and capital for more ambitious landscapes.
What this means for buyers and sellers
For developers and sellers, allocating budget to thoughtful, sustainable landscaping is proving to be one of the most effective ways to increase sale price and speed up transactions. For buyers, gardens designed for the climate and long-term maintenance can reduce running costs and preserve value. In short, landscaping that blends ecology, design and utility is becoming a cornerstone of real estate value in Spain — and a smart differentiator in a competitive market.
