Landscaping Tips for Retaining Walls: Practical Advice from the Field

At KwaShandu Civil Engineers, we’ve designed and built countless retaining walls across residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. While structural integrity is always our top priority, we also understand that clients want their retaining walls to blend beautifully with their surrounding landscape. Over the years, we’ve learnt that landscaping tips for retaining walls aren’t just about aesthetics—they’re essential for function, longevity, and safety.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through our proven techniques and professional insights that help create outdoor spaces that are both resilient and attractive.

Why Landscaping Matters Around Retaining Walls

A well-constructed retaining wall holds back soil, prevents erosion, and allows you to transform sloped land into usable space. But when you neglect the surrounding landscape, you risk damaging the very structure you’re trying to protect.

Proper landscaping:

• Improves water drainage

• Reduces erosion

• Prevents root intrusion

• Enhances visual appeal

That’s why our team integrates landscaping planning into every retaining wall project from day one.

1. Start with Soil Preparation

One of the most overlooked landscaping tips for retaining walls is preparing the soil properly. Healthy, well-draining soil behind and around the wall is key to avoiding hydrostatic pressure, which is one of the main causes of retaining wall failure.

Our recommendations:

• Mix organic compost into the topsoil

• Use gravel or crushed stone as backfill behind the wall

• Avoid using clay-heavy soils unless amended

💡 Tip: Always compact backfill in layers to prevent settling later.

2. Install Proper Drainage Systems

Even the most beautifully landscaped wall will fail if water is allowed to pool behind it. Proper drainage is non-negotiable.

What we include:

• Weep holes along the bottom of the wall

• Drainage pipes (also called perforated or French drains)

• Gravel backfill that promotes water flow

This drainage-first approach is one of our core landscaping tips for retaining walls—it reduces pressure on the wall while protecting nearby plants from overwatering.

🔗 Read more: Why Drainage Behind Retaining Walls Is Essential

3. Choose the Right Plants

Plant selection can make or break your retaining wall project. Plants with aggressive root systems—like bamboo or large trees—can cause cracks and displace soil. Instead, opt for:

• Ground covers (e.g. creeping thyme, blue star creeper)

• Grasses and sedges (e.g. mondo grass)

• Low-growing shrubs (e.g. lavender, rosemary)

• Succulents in dry areas

These plants stabilise soil without compromising wall structure.

🌿 Pro tip: Use indigenous plants for lower maintenance and better resilience in your region.

4. Add Mulch to Retain Moisture

Mulching isn’t just a gardener’s trick—it plays a major role in wall maintenance. We recommend applying mulch around plants above and below the wall to:

• Reduce soil erosion

• Maintain even soil temperature

• Conserve moisture in dry months

Organic mulches like bark or wood chips also improve soil quality over time.

5. Consider Terracing for Steep Slopes

When working with significant elevation changes, a single tall retaining wall may not be the best solution. Instead, we often design terraced retaining walls, which split one large slope into multiple levels.

Benefits include:

• Easier maintenance

• Improved drainage control

• More planting space

• Enhanced design appeal

Each level can support different plantings or features, such as seating, steps, or lighting.

6. Integrate Walkways and Paved Areas

One of the most practical landscaping tips for retaining walls is blending hardscape elements into the design. A retaining wall doesn’t have to exist in isolation—it can work seamlessly with:

• Walkways: Built-in paths along or between walls

• Stairs: For multi-level access

• Paving: To prevent mud build-up and create usable outdoor areas

These features boost usability and accessibility while helping to direct foot traffic, which reduces soil compaction and wear.

7. Use Gabions for a Natural Look

Gabion retaining walls—wire baskets filled with rocks—have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially for eco-conscious clients. We often recommend them in rural areas or sites with high erosion risk.

Their rugged appearance complements natural landscapes and offers excellent drainage due to the gaps between stones.

🔗 See examples: Gabion Retaining Walls in South Africa

8. Include Lighting for Function and Aesthetics

Outdoor lighting isn’t just a luxury—it’s a practical enhancement that improves safety and ambience. We typically install:

• Path lights along walkways

• Wall-mounted lights on taller retaining walls

• Recessed step lights for multi-level designs

Proper lighting reduces trip hazards, deters intruders, and highlights your landscaping features at night.

9. Control Erosion with Strategic Planting

Erosion is one of the biggest threats to retaining wall stability. Strategic planting above the wall slows water runoff and keeps topsoil in place.

We use a mix of:

• Deep-rooted groundcovers

• Turf blocks

• Terraced planting beds

In storm-prone areas, we may also recommend bioswales or rain gardens.

10. Don’t Forget Maintenance Access

One of the most overlooked landscaping tips for retaining walls is ensuring there’s space for future maintenance. We always include:

• Pathways wide enough for a wheelbarrow

• Hose bibs or drip systems for irrigation

• Flat zones to safely work on the wall

Good design today means easier care tomorrow.

Bonus Tip: Match Your Wall to the Architecture

Your retaining wall should feel like an extension of your home or business. We choose materials and finishes that match or complement the building—whether it’s brick, stone, concrete, or plaster.

This design-first approach helps the wall disappear into the overall space rather than standing out awkwardly.

Working With a Professional Team

At KwaShandu Civil Engineers, our projects start with a comprehensive assessment of the site, soil, water movement, and client goals. We don’t just build walls—we design landscaped retaining systems that last and look incredible.

We often partner with architectural and landscaping specialists to ensure our designs complement the environment and meet local regulations. This integrated approach is how we deliver lasting results.

• Life is a Garden – Landscaping Inspiration

Conclusion: Smart Landscaping Means Smarter Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are more than just functional—they can define your outdoor space and support your landscaping goals. But without thoughtful planning, you risk structural damage and extra costs down the line.

By applying these landscaping tips for retaining walls, we’ve helped clients across South Africa enjoy gardens that are secure, sustainable, and visually impressive.

Whether you’re reshaping your home garden or building a terraced estate, we’re ready to help bring your landscape vision to life—while ensuring safety, drainage, and value at every step.

👉 Need help with your retaining wall project? Contact us today for a site assessment and expert advice.