10 Types of Mulch — And Pros and Cons of Each
Red mulch with ornamental landscaping plants in a flower bed.
A landscaped yard with mulch looks infinitely better than the same exact landscaping without fresh mulch.
Let’s tackle some of the questions about what kinds of mulch are available and which are best:
What are the different types of mulch?
6 types of natural mulch
4 types of inorganic mulch
What is the best mulch?
What color mulch looks best?
For more detailed information about what mulch is and how to use it, see this post.
Ready for mulching services near you in the Columbia, SC area?
If you’d like to leave your mulch installation to the pros, we are happy to deliver and apply mulch to your landscaping for you. We can also handle your other landscaping needs, as well as tree services, lawn treatments, hardscaping, and more.
Contact us today for a FREE estimate.
Phone: 803-521-4978
Email: bootsonenterprises@gmail.com
Next-day or same-week service is available.
A designer garden with natural mulch between the plants near a concrete sidewalk, stone steps, and wooden fence.
What are the different types of mulch?
If you are thinking about sprucing up your landscaping, you may be wondering what mulch types area available and which one might be best for you.
There are two broad categories of mulch:
Natural mulch/organic mulch.
Inorganic mulch.
Natural mulch is material that comes from plant sources like tree bark, wood, straw, leaves, grass, etc…
Inorganic mulch is not made from plantlife but involves small rocks, stones, plastic sheets, or rubber pellets.
Let’s talk about the various types of mulch below so you can get a feel for what you might like to use in your yard.
6 Types of natural mulch/organic mulch
Natural mulch or organic mulch comes in a large number of options that bring a whole lot of beauty to your landscaping. There is a big advantage to the environment, using natural products rather than synthetic or rubber materials. They provide nutrients for your plants as they compost. And many of them are beautiful.
However, with any natural mulch types, remember it will need to be replaced every year. And there are always pros and cons to consider.
Here are some of the most popular types of mulch:
Cocoa mulch
You can get cocoa bean shell mulch, which is something a bit more unusual.
Advantages of cocoa mulch include:
Dark brown color is fade resistant.
Smells like cocoa (chocolate).
Functions well to protect soil and smother weeds.
Disadvantages of cocoa mulch include:
Not safe for dogs to eat this product.
Quite pricey. You can expect to pay $35+ for a 2 cubic-foot bag.
The price is fairly prohibitive for most homeowners with this type of mulch. But it may be something you want to try for some very special potted plants.
Compost mulch - grass/leaf
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and easy way to apply mulch to your yard or garden, why not use something you have on hand already? Use a mulching mower to shred grass and leaves into tiny pieces and leave it on your lawn to help nourish it or bag it and spread it in your flowerbeds.
Leaf mulch and grass clippings mulch advantages include:
Free mulch.
No delivery charges.
Reduces nitrogen fertilizer required for the lawn.
Disadvantages of grass clippings or leaf mulch include:
Mulching too many wet leaves or too much grass could smother the lawn.
Not really a great option for your landscaping and flower beds if you want something that looks good.
Only really possible to get the dead leaves in your yard in the fall.
If too dry, could blow away easily.
For more information about when and how to use grass clippings as mulch and do’s and don’ts or composting clippings, check out this resource.
Pecan shell mulch
Instead of cocoa bean shells, you can accomplish a similar effect by using pecan shells, which may be easier to find in South Carolina. And you can get a 20 lb bulk box for $30-40. If you have your own pecan tree or you live near a pecan farm, you may be able to get them even cheaper.
Advantages of pecan shell mulch include:
Acidic pH.
Lots of nutrients for your soil/plants.
Great option for a garden.
Beautiful reddish-brown color.
Can be combined with other nut mulches.
Decomposes more slowly than other mulches.
Lightweight.
Disadvantages of pecan shell mulch include:
Can be pricey for large areas.
Could be blown away in heavy winds.
Not safe for dogs to ingest.
Could potentially attract termites.
Not all plants like acidic soils.
Pine straw mulch lining a freshly installed natural stone walkway near a brick home — work done by Boots On Enterprises.
Pine straw mulch
Pine needles or pine straw is very popular in South Carolina (and much of the South) for mulch because it is lightweight, organic, and has a warm appearance to it. With so many loblolly pine trees in our state, it’s also easy to find pine straw and it has a very native and Southern look that people love.
Advantages of pine straw mulch include:
Low cost compared to wood mulch. (About $4-7 per bale.)
Lighter than wood mulch so it’s easy to handle.
Sustainable.
Acidic which makes certain plants that like acidic soils happy.
Might be available in your own yard.
Fantastic insulator.
Doesn’t wash out of landscaping beds as easily as wood mulch.
Great option if you have a lot of pine trees.
Disadvantages of pine straw mulch include:
Won’t prevent weed growth as well as other types of mulch can if you don’t prepare soil well.
Not widely available in all areas of the country.
Eventually become compressed and faded-looking.
Not all plants like acidic soils.
A woman’s gloved hands placing natural mulch (straw mulch) around tomato plants.
Straw mulch/hay mulch
Hay and straw mulch aren’t used much in South Carolina because we have pine straw. But you can use either hay (which is grass that was cut before it went to seed and then dried out) or straw (the stalk of a grain that is leftover after harvesting).
Types of straw mulch include wheat, oat, barley, rice, and others.
Advantages of hay mulch include:
Provides rich nutrients as it composts.
Absorbs water and stays moist.
Great for flowers and veggies.
Disadvantages of hay mulch include:
Not as beautiful as wood mulch.
If it stays too wet for too long, it could get moldy.
Could have weed seeds that might begin to sprout in your garden.
Advantages of straw mulch include:
Lightweight.
Very insulating.
Breaks down easily to nourish plants.
Inexpensive.
Disadvantages of straw mulch include:
Could have seeds that end up sprouting.
Not as beautiful as other types of mulch.
To avoid adding new grain plants to your garden, the chaff must be shaken out before applying it to your soul. You can also buy weed-free straw which will cut down a lot on weeds, but it could still have some wheat or barley seeds.
A woman’s gloved hands applying mulch to a garden conifer bed with pine tree bark mulch.
Wood mulch
When most people think of “mulch” this is what comes to mind. Wood mulch is a combination of ground up bark and wood chips. It is one of the most popular types of mulch across the country.
Advantages of wood mulch include:
Breaks down over time, providing nourishment for your plants.
Repels some pests (certain types of wood repel fleas, gnats, and ticks).
Great at controlling weeds when placed at the right time in the right amount.
Improves drainage.
Attracts earthworms.
Looks amazing.
Can be colored for maximum aesthetic appeal.
Disadvantages of wood mulch include:
Some types of wood mulch can attract termites (don’t want to use wood mulch close to the house).
Can compact over time.
For colored wood mulch, the color can fade eventually.
Needs to be replaced annually, like all organic mulches usually do.
Landscape fabric mulch protecting a blueberry bush from weed growth nearby.
4 Types of Inorganic mulch: What are some good mulch alternatives?
If you don’t want to use organic mulch, there are also inorganic mulches like landscape fabric, rock, plastic sheet, and rubber mulch.
Landscape fabric mulch
Landscape fabric can be made of linen, polyester, or even recycled plastic. It can be a good option in some situations as the only mulch you use. Some landscape pros use it under organic or other types of mulch or rock/gravel.
Advantages of landscape fabric include:
Inexpensive.
Helps reduce the need for weed-control treatments.
Holes in the woven fabric allow water to penetrate.
Less watering is needed.
Disadvantages of landscape fabric include:
No nutrients for the soil.
Can’t change the location of the holes or undo holes you have cut into it.
Weeds can still break through.
A backyard garden with wave growth thuja bushes and yellow rock mulch near a grassy lawn.
Rock mulch
Rock or stone mulch can be a beautiful addition to your landscaping. And it has a lot of benefits.
When it comes to wood mulch vs rock, it all comes down to your preferences for the different pros and cons, as well as your budget.
Advantages of rock mulch include:
Long-lasting.
Doesn’t degrade.
Doesn’t fade.
Gorgeous and boost curb appeal.
Great at retaining soil.
Good for drainage and perfect for wet spots.
Lower cost long-term.
Can clean debris with a blower or wash with a power washer.
The best mulch option for preventing weed growth.
Low-maintenance.
Doesn’t blow away.
Non-flammable.
Disadvantages of rock mulch include:
Very heavy.
More expensive than other types of mulch upfront.
More permanent, so more difficult to remove.
Doesn’t degrade.
Isn’t ideal for vegetable gardens.
A close-up view of rubber mulch for a playground or landscaping.
Rubber mulch
Recycled rubber mulch is made from old tires, which is a great way to recycle rather than just throwing the old tires away. Also, you can buy rubber mulch in bulk, which brings a cost-savings.
Many people wonder about rubber mulch vs wood mulch. We’ll take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of rubber mulch below.
Advantages of rubber landscape mulch include:
Long-lasting.
Great insulation.
Lots of color options available.
Doesn’t easily wash or blow away.
Low-maintenance.
Doesn’t fade or decompose.
Doesn’t attract pests like termites or carpenter ants.
Good for preventing weed growth.
Lower cost over time.
Disadvantages of rubber mulch include:
On hot days, you can smell the rubber.
It’s more expensive upfront than many other types of mulch.
Doesn’t add nutrients to the soil.
Not a good choice near fire pits because it is flammable.
For more info on rubber mulch, check out this resource.
A close-up view of a field and young plants with plastic mulch film that is biodegradable.
Sheet mulch/plastic mulch
Many commercial farmers have used plastic mulch for many years. Of course, aesthetics aren’t a big concern for them. Just results.
Advantages of plastic sheet mulch include:
Increased and earlier yields (due to increased soil temps).
Great insulation.
Prevents evaporation.
Almost totally eliminates weeds (if using black plastic).
Disadvantages of plastic mulch include:
Doesn’t break down.
More expensive than many other mulch materials upfront.
Harder to dispose of than other types of mulch.
Black plastic can get too hot in direct sunlight/warmer climates or for cold-weather plants even in cooler climates.
It could promote too much moisture, so mold/fungi might be an issue.
Pine straw mulch makes a beautiful complement to tall grassy plants in South Carolina for a native feel.
What is the best mulch?
Ultimately, the best mulch for your lawn, garden, and landscaping depends on your particular goals, priorities, preferences, and budget.
We find that most people in the Columbia, SC area prefer to use pine straw or wood mulches for organic options. And many people like to use stone mulch if they want to go the inorganic route.
What color mulch looks best?
Some of the most popular colors of mulch include red, brown, and black.
Red mulch works great if your landscaping and home have lighter colors. Or you just like the contrast with green plants and a deep red color.
Brown mulch looks rich, chocolatey, and velvet. You really can’t go wrong with it no matter what your home style and landscape style.
And black mulch provides a dramatic, unique look that is sure to boost your curb appeal.
Check with mulch services near you to see what color options and types of mulch would work best for your particular landscaping project to complement the plants and your home or business.
Looking for a mulch service near you in Columbia, SC?
At Boots On Enterprises, we provide mulch delivery and installation services in Lexington and Richland counties. We can also handle almost any landscaping, tree service, hardscaping, or paving needs you might have.
Contact us today for a FREE estimate for your project:
Phone: 803-521-4978
Email: bootsonenterprises@gmail.com
And please note, next-day and same-week services are available.
For more great information on the benefits of mulching and general pricing, check out our post here.
