Xeriscaping and Water-Saving Practices in Iranian Residential Gardens: Educational Insights and Behavior-Based Barriers

Abstract Residential gardens are critical to urban water conservation, yet limited public awareness and sustainability education constrain the adoption of xeriscaping, particularly in arid regions such as Iran. We investigated the uptake of nine common water-saving practices among 182 households and examined the psychological, environmental, and educational factors that shape behavior. Timed watering and lawn avoidance were common, whereas practices requiring greater technical knowledge, such as mulching and graywater reuse, remained limited. Familiarity with drought-tolerant plants strongly predicted adoption ( r = .557, p < .001), while a lack of planning knowledge posed a barrier. Open-ended responses emphasized the need for practical guidance, demonstration projects, and stronger institutional support. By linking adoption patterns to knowledge gaps, the study underscores the importance of informal and non-formal sustainability education in translating awareness into practice. Findings inform curriculum development, extension programs, and environmental outreach, framing xeriscaping not only as a technical adaptation to water stress but also as a pedagogical opportunity to advance environmental literacy.