Landscaping in Dubai typically costs AED 150 to AED 600 per square metre for a full villa garden in 2026. A basic villa garden package usually starts around AED 15,000, and a full design-and-build garden is often AED 40,000 or more. Ongoing upkeep runs about AED 300 to AED 3,500 a month, depending on the size of the garden.
Key takeaways
- A full villa garden typically costs AED 150 to AED 600 per square metre.
- Irrigation and hardscape are usually the largest items in the budget.
- Artificial grass costs more upfront than natural turf but saves water and mowing.
- Budget for monthly upkeep, not just the build.
A good garden makes a Dubai villa usable for most of the year, but the heat, sandy soil and water costs mean it needs planning. Prices vary widely, from a few thousand dirhams for a lawn to six figures for a full redesign. At AH Technical Services Dubai we plan, build and maintain gardens across the city. So how much does landscaping cost in Dubai in 2026? This guide sets out the price of each part of a garden and what drives the total.
Landscaping prices in Dubai at a glance
These are typical ranges for villa and townhouse gardens. Per-square-metre prices include materials and labour.
| Item | Typical price (AED) | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Full villa landscaping | 150 – 600 per m² | Design, planting, hardscape and irrigation together. |
| Soft landscaping (plants, soil, beds) | 50 – 100 per m² | Depends on plant size and how dense the planting is. |
| Hardscaping (paving, paths, edging) | 150 – 300 per m² | Natural stone costs more than interlock or concrete pavers. |
| Natural turf, installed | 35 – 80 per m² | Needs daily water in summer and regular mowing. |
| Artificial grass, installed | 80 – 200 per m² | Higher upfront cost, low upkeep. |
| Drip irrigation for a small bed | 2,000 – 4,000 | About 20 plants with a simple timer. |
| Full villa irrigation system | 8,000 – 15,000+ | Sprinklers, drip lines, controller and zones. |
| Garden maintenance | 300 – 3,500 per month | Or about 200 to 550 per visit. |
Planning a new garden? Send us a few photos and the rough size of your garden, and we will arrange a site visit.
WhatsApp the photosWhat each part of a garden costs
Design
Some companies include a basic layout in the build price. A detailed design with drawings, a planting plan and 3D views is usually charged separately or deducted if you go ahead with the build.
Soft landscaping
Plants, soil improvement and planting beds usually cost AED 50 to AED 100 per square metre. Native and drought-tolerant plants cost less to water and survive the summer better than many imported species.
Hardscaping
Paths, patios, edging and seating areas cost AED 150 to AED 300 per square metre. Natural stone sits at the top of the range, and interlock or concrete pavers at the bottom. Pergolas, water features and outdoor kitchens are quoted separately.
Lawn: natural or artificial
Natural turf costs about AED 35 to AED 80 per square metre to lay, and artificial grass about AED 80 to AED 200.
Natural grass needs watering every day in summer, mowing and feeding, so its running cost is higher. Artificial grass costs more upfront but needs little more than brushing and an occasional rinse.
Irrigation
A drip system for a small bed costs AED 2,000 to AED 4,000. A full villa system with sprinklers, drip lines, a controller and separate zones usually costs AED 8,000 to AED 15,000 or more. A well-planned system pays back through lower water bills.
What drives the total cost?
- Garden size. Larger gardens cost more overall but often less per square metre.
- Ground preparation. Removing old turf, levelling and replacing poor sandy soil adds cost before any planting starts.
- Plant size. Mature palms and trees cost far more than young plants, and need a crane or extra labour to place.
- Features. Pergolas, lighting, water features and pools are major extras.
- Access. If materials have to be carried through the house, the work takes longer.
Example: a mid-sized villa garden
Take a garden of about 180 square metres with a lawn, planted borders and a full irrigation system. Using mid-range prices, the build might come to roughly AED 6,000 for turf, AED 9,000 for planting and AED 11,000 for irrigation, so about AED 26,000 before any paving or features. Upkeep for a garden like this is often around AED 1,000 to AED 1,500 a month.
How much does garden upkeep cost?
Most villa owners pay for a gardener to visit weekly or every two weeks. Small gardens usually cost AED 300 to AED 500 a month on a contract, and large, heavily planted gardens AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 or more. A single visit is about AED 200 to AED 550.
If you also need help with AC, plumbing and electrical work at the villa, a villa maintenance contract can bundle garden upkeep with the rest of your home maintenance under one yearly plan.
How we plan and build a garden
As our landscaping company in Dubai handles both the build and the upkeep, every project follows the same steps.
- Call or WhatsAppTell us about your garden and send a few photos.
- Site visit and planWe measure up, discuss options and give you a fixed price.
- BuildOur team prepares the ground, installs irrigation, plants and paves.
- UpkeepWe hand over care notes, or maintain the garden for you.
We have worked in Dubai for 5+ years, and every quote lists each part of the garden separately, with no hidden add-ons.
Landscaping cost FAQs
How much does landscaping cost per square metre in Dubai?
A full villa garden typically costs AED 150 to AED 600 per square metre in 2026, including design, planting, hardscape and irrigation. A lawn alone costs much less, from about AED 35 per square metre for natural turf.
Is artificial grass cheaper than real grass in Dubai?
Not upfront. Artificial grass costs about AED 80 to AED 200 per square metre to install, against AED 35 to AED 80 for natural turf. Over several years it can work out cheaper because it needs no mowing and far less water.
How much does garden maintenance cost per month in Dubai?
A maintenance contract for a small villa garden usually costs AED 300 to AED 500 a month. Larger, heavily planted gardens cost AED 1,000 to AED 3,000 or more.
When is the best time to landscape a garden in Dubai?
The cooler months, roughly October to April, are best. New plants and turf settle in more easily before the summer heat arrives.
Where we work in Dubai
Our office is in Al Satwa, Bur Dubai, and our landscaping team works on villa and townhouse gardens across the city, including:
- Arabian Ranches
- Dubai Hills Estate
- The Springs
- The Meadows
- Jumeirah Park
- Jumeirah
- Umm Suqeim
- Al Barsha
- Al Furjan
- Damac Hills
- JVC
- Mirdif
- Palm Jumeirah
- Al Safa
Plan your garden with a fixed price
Tell us the size of your garden and what you would like, and book a site visit. You get a fixed price before any work starts.