2026 Commercial Landscape Forecast

Written By Austin Evans

The commercial landscape industry is entering a period of major transition driven by rising water costs, labor constraints, extreme weather variability, and rapidly improving technology. For property managers, this means the next two years will look very different from the last two—and the decisions you make now will determine budget stability, curb appeal, and long-term asset performance.

Water costs and restrictions will drive most landscape decisions

Across municipalities, water continues to be the most powerful economic force shaping landscaping. In Colorado, proposed policy changes, rate increases, and expanding irrigation regulations will accelerate the shift toward:

  • Water budgeting

  • Smart controller upgrades

  • Sensor-driven irrigation optimization

  • Selective turf reduction

    Properties that haven’t begun adapting will face higher operating expenses and more unpredictable budgets.

Landscaping will transition from reactive to data-driven

In 2026, more property managers will expect landscaping decisions to be backed by data, not guesswork. This includes:

  • Soil moisture readings

  • Pressure tests and zone diagnostics

  • Plant health assessments

  • Satellite and aerial imagery

  • AI-assisted site mapping

    This shift will reward landscape partners who operate with transparency, measurement, and forecasting—not intuition alone.

Labor constraints will widen the gap between disciplined and disorganized providers

Labor shortages are no longer a seasonal challenge—they’re structural. The next two years will highlight clear separation between companies that:

  • Invest in training

  • Use robotics, battery tools, and automation

  • Build efficient routing and scheduling

    …and those operating with inefficient, outdated models.

    For property managers, this means quality and consistency will increasingly depend on choosing partners who have modernized their workforce strategy.

Irrigation modernization will become the highest-ROI investment

With water rates rising and municipal oversight increasing, the properties that lead the market will be those that modernize irrigation systems early. The best ROI upgrades for 2026 include:

  • Smart controllers with live data inputs

  • High-efficiency nozzles

  • Pressure-regulated heads and valves

  • Drip retrofits for shrub beds

  • Remote monitoring for freeze, flow, and leaks

    The properties that invest proactively will see major reductions in wasted water and emergency repairs.

Enhancements will shift toward long-term performance, not annual refreshes

Landscaping enhancements are transitioning from “visual upgrades” to strategic capital improvements that reduce risk and operating expenses. The most in-demand enhancement types for 2025–2026 will be:

  • Xeric conversions

  • Tree replacements with climate-adapted species

  • Drainage improvements

  • Slope stabilization and erosion control

  • Low-maintenance perennial redesigns

    These projects create durable, predictable landscapes that perform better year-round.

Property managers will expect faster communication and higher visibility

The speed and clarity of communication will become a competitive differentiator. Property managers increasingly want:

  • Photo-backed service reports

  • Real-time updates

  • Digital portals

  • Automated follow-ups

  • Transparent proposals with clear scopes

    The companies that respond fast, document thoroughly, and communicate proactively will win and retain the most properties.

AI and robotics will enhance maintenance outcome not replace crews

Robotics and AI-powered tools won’t replace landscape teams—but they will dramatically improve their output. Over the next two years, expect:

  • Autonomous mowers on large turf areas

  • AI-driven irrigation alerts

  • Automated measurement and takeoffs

  • Real-time quality scoring

    This technology increases consistency, reduces labor pressure, and enhances site performance.

Climate volatility will reshape planting strategies

2026 is expected to continue the pattern of:

  • Hotter summers

  • Stronger freeze–thaw cycles

  • Unpredictable precipitation

    This will drive a shift toward plant palettes that thrive in extremes—species with heat tolerance, drought tolerance, and strong winter resilience.

The strongest properties will operate from multi-year plans

The biggest change ahead is how top-performing properties approach landscape management. The leaders will adopt:

  • Multi-year enhancement roadmaps

  • Seasonal risk assessments

  • Annual irrigation optimization plans

  • Data-backed budgeting

    This shift reduces surprises, improves asset resilience, and creates predictable long-term outcomes.

What this means for property managers

The next two years will reward proactive planning and penalize reactive decisions. Properties that modernize irrigation early, secure reliable maintenance partners, adopt data-backed strategies, and invest in smart enhancements will stay ahead of increasing costs and climate impacts.

The next era of commercial landscapes will be defined by intelligence, technology, and proactive care.

Austin Evans
Previous

Audit First Landscaping: The Competitive Advantage
Next

Why December Is the Best Month to Lock In a Landscaper