Xeriscaping in St. George means planting for the edge of the Mojave: USDA Zone 8b, about 9.3 inches of rain a year, summers over 100°F, and winter nights that still dip into the teens. It also pays unusually well. As of September 2026, the Washington County Water Conservancy District pays $2 per square foot to replace lawn, plus a $1 supplement on the first 1,000 sq ft for projects completed by June 1, 2027, plus $100 per qualifying shade tree (WCWCD). The district says rebates "commonly cover 30 to 50 percent of the cost." With red rock on the horizon, desert landscaping in St. George looks like it belongs there.
St. George growing conditions
| Factor | St. George | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) | 8b (St. George 84770 and 84790, Ivins 84738) | USDA |
| Annual precipitation | 9.31 inches | NOAA 1991–2020 normals |
| Median last spring frost | March 14 | NOAA |
| Median first fall frost | November 10 | NOAA |
| Soils | Alkaline, fast-draining sand and decomposed sandstone; caliche and clay in spots | Local observation |
Plants here have to handle 105°F in July and a mid-teens cold snap in January. That rules out much of the Phoenix palette (too tender) and much of the Salt Lake palette (it scorches). The long, warm fall is St. George's planting season. Check your address with our St. George zone lookup.
St. George rebates (as of September 2026)
| Program | Amount | Cap | Key requirement | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCWCD Water Efficient Landscape Program | $2/sq ft + $1/sq ft supplement on first 1,000 sq ft (projects completed June 9, 2026–June 1, 2027) | $100,000 per property per year | Pre-conversion site visit; min 300 sq ft living grass; 50% plant cover; drip | WCWCD WELP |
| WCWCD shade tree bonus | $100 per qualifying shade tree | — | Planted as part of a WELP project | WCWCD WELP |
| Santa Clara supplement | $1/sq ft on first 500 sq ft (instead of 1,000) | — | Santa Clara addresses | WELP terms |
The program covers St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, La Verkin, Toquerville, Virgin and unincorporated Washington County. Key terms from the district:
- Starting early disqualifies you. "Starting your project prior to application approval and a pre-conversion site visit will make your conversion ineligible."
- 50% living plant cover at maturity. The district counts trees as 350 sq ft of cover and shrubs, groundcovers and perennials as 35 sq ft each (FAQ).
- Drip irrigation on dedicated valves with a filter and pressure regulator, at least 2 inches of mulch, and no impermeable weed barrier.
- Permeable artificial turf is allowed as a surface in place of mulch, but plant cover and drip rules still apply.
- A conservation easement is recorded, restricting grass, sprinklers and water features in the converted area permanently. Keep that in mind for resale.
Rules for new homes and summer watering
New construction has strict lawn limits. Under the Water Efficiency Standards adopted by Washington County cities, lawn on new single-family lots is limited to 8% of the lot or 2,500 sq ft, whichever is less (up to 600 sq ft on lots under 7,500 sq ft). Commercial properties can't have lawn except for active recreation, and no lawn strip can be narrower than 8 feet (standards PDF). If you're building, plan the xeriscape from the start.
Summer daytime watering is restricted. The City of St. George limits outdoor irrigation with culinary (drinking) water during the daytime, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., from June 1 through September 1 (City of St. George). Drip on a night schedule works fine under that rule.
HOA rules
St. George is full of HOAs, and Utah law protects water-wise yards. Utah Code 57-8a-231 bars an HOA from any rule that "prohibits, or has the effect of prohibiting, a lot owner of a detached dwelling from incorporating water wise landscaping," and from requiring lawn in areas narrower than 8 feet. HOAs can still require design review (Utah Code).
The Mojave-edge plant palette
Trees: desert willow is the region's most reliable small tree, with pink summer flowers and fine texture. Netleaf hackberry is tough and native. Mesquite and palo verde are gambles in a hard winter, so use them only in the warmest, most sheltered spots. See low-water trees for more.
Structure: St. George is cold-hardy agave and yucca country. Cold-hardy agaves such as Utah and Parry's agave, banana yucca, red yucca and soft-leaf yucca handle both temperature extremes.
Shrubs: Apache plume, rabbitbrush, blackbrush, and Texas ranger (cenizo) in protected spots.
Color: globe mallow (apricot flowers against red rock), desert marigold, penstemon (firecracker and Palmer's), blackfoot daisy, trailing rosemary, lavender and prickly pear and claret cup cactus for spring flowers.
For a local demonstration, the district's Red Hills Desert Garden in St. George shows many of these plants at full size. USU's Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping has Utah-specific plant research.
Design notes: the red-rock look
- Let the sandstone lead. Local red and buff rock in mulches and boulder groupings ties the yard to the cliffs. Bright white quartz clashes with everything around it.
- Contrast silver with red. Silver-leaved plants such as brittlebush, sagebrush and globe mallow stand out against red rock and stucco.
- Shade the west side. A desert willow beside the patio makes summer evenings usable.
- Keep it planted. The 50% plant-cover rule is also good design. Sculptural agaves look best against a planted background, not a sea of gravel. More ideas are in desert landscaping ideas.
From our installs: In hot desert climates, overwatering kills more new xeric plants than heat does. Set drip to run deep and infrequent. After the first summer, established agave, yucca and desert willow need water about once every week or two in peak heat, and far less in winter.
Getting started
- Apply to WCWCD first with photos of the living lawn, and wait for the pre-conversion site visit.
- Walk a demonstration garden and photograph the plants that look good in late summer, when conditions are hardest.
- Remove the turf after authorization (methods compared), and cap the old spray heads.
- Plant in October or November. The long, warm fall gives roots months to establish before the heat returns.
- Finish within 12 months and schedule your final inspection.
Hire it out
WCWCD estimates contractor conversions at $4–$6 per square foot, well below national averages. Browse the landscape pros listed for Southern Utah, and ask whether they've completed WELP projects that passed inspection.
Compare with our Salt Lake City guide for northern Utah, or the Las Vegas guide for the Mojave palette two hours down I-15. The xeriscaping cost guide covers budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Washington County pay to remove grass?
As of September 2026, WCWCD pays $2 per square foot, plus a $1/sq ft supplement on the first 1,000 sq ft for projects completed June 9, 2026–June 1, 2027. It also pays $100 per qualifying shade tree. The cap is $100,000 per property per year, and a pre-conversion site visit is required.
What zone is St. George, Utah?
St. George is Zone 8b on the 2023 USDA map, much warmer than Salt Lake City's 6a–7b, but it still freezes. Choose plants hardy to the mid-teens.
Can I water my yard during the day in St. George?
Not with culinary water from June 1 to September 1. The city restricts daytime irrigation between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. during those months. Schedule drip and any remaining sprinklers for night or early morning.
Does artificial turf count for the St. George rebate?
Permeable artificial turf may be used as a surface in place of mulch, but it doesn't count toward the required 50% living plant cover, and drip irrigation rules still apply.
How much lawn can a new home in St. George have?
Under the Water Efficiency Standards adopted by Washington County cities, new single-family lots are limited to 8% of the lot or 2,500 sq ft of lawn, whichever is less, and 600 sq ft on lots under 7,500 sq ft.
