As a gardener, I discovered the benefits of mulch during hot spells, as it protected the roots of my plants and kept them cool. Instead of losing my beautiful plants, they survived without much competition from annoying weeds.
Mulch also has other benefits, as it holds moisture in the soil, and if you use organic mulch, it decomposes to enrich the soil with nutrients.
But can mulch prevent plants from spreading? Will all types of plants grow through mulch?
This article will answer your questions, so let’s dive in.
Does Mulch Prevent Plants from Spreading?
One of the main benefits of mulching your garden is that mulch prevents the growth of weeds and unwanted grass near your flowers, shrubs, and trees.
So, it makes sense to wonder if it can prevent other plants from spreading in the garden.
The answer depends on the type of mulch, how you apply it, and the type of plant.
Seeds
Seeds will struggle to germinate through mulch. So, if you have self-sowing plants, there’s a big chance they won’t survive if you mulch your garden.
As a matter of fact, this is how mulching can prevent the growth of weeds, as they self-seed. The seeds are scattered on top of the mulch, and they can’t root.
At the same time, if there are seeds under the mulch layer, they won’t be able to grow strong shoots that push through the mulch.
Shoots growing from seeds are typically vulnerable. Even the thinnest layer of mulch can be too heavy for them to penetrate, so you can’t sow seeds and mulch your garden before they germinate.
Bulbs and Tubers
Plants growing from bulbs and tubers will likely survive and push through mulch. This happens because these structures store much energy, so they can grow strong shoots that can penetrate through mulch.
Most bulbs and tubers can push through a two to three-inch inch mulch as long as it’s not too compact. However, some types, like tulip bulbs, can push through different types of mulch, including inorganic ones like gravel and pebbles.
Rhizomes
Rhizomes are different because they are partly planted above the soil, with only their half buried under. Since they’re not entirely buried, rhizomes can grow upward shoots and downward roots through a thin layer of mulch.
Ideally, the mulch layer should be around one inch thick. Otherwise, the shoots might not be able to penetrate them.
Stem Cuttings
If you have plants growing from stem cuttings, these might be able to spread and grow through mulch. Yet, this will depend on the type of mulch you use and how you apply it.
Stem cuttings are parts of already established plants. They aren’t as vulnerable as fresh seeds.
They have some energy to push through a thin layer of mulch but won’t be able to spread if you apply a compact or thick layer of mulch.
Mature Plants
Most mature plants will suffocate and die under mulch.
Mulch blocks the sun and will kill the plants when buried underneath. This is why you want to spread mulch around and not on top of your plants.
Moreover, as you water different plants and flowers, the moisture from the mulch can cause rot that affects the leaves and stems.
Crown Plants
Plants growing from crowns die back to the surface of the soil.
Beneath the soil level, these are well-established plants, so they can push through mulch. Mulching, especially using organic mulch, can provide them with essential nutrients when applied early enough to decompose.
What Are the Disadvantages of Mulch?
Despite mulch’s benefits, it has some drawbacks, mainly when not applied properly.
As a gardener, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each mulch available for use in your garden and how to apply it properly to avoid harming your plants.
- A fine-textured mulch can become too compact, suffocating the plant parts underneath. So, you should apply a thin layer instead.
- Overmulching can retain too much moisture in the soil. This can cause rot in underground plant parts and prevent organic mulch from decomposing.
- Mulching young plants might do more harm than good. Most young plants are vulnerable, so they may be unable to push through a thick layer of mulch.
- In hot weather, inorganic mulch can scorch the roots because it doesn’t let the air pass through.
- Mulch can provide a hiding place for many garden pests that might damage your plants.
Final Thoughts
Mulching your garden has several pros and cons. So, it’s essential to understand them when choosing the type of mulch and how to apply it.
Most seeds won’t be able to spread when mulched because the shoots growing from them are too weak. Some bulbs, rhizomes, tubers, and crowns can spread through mulch because they store energy so they can grow stronger shoots.
Using a thick layer of mulch isn’t necessarily good for your plants, especially when it’s fine-textured. So, keep the mulch layer thin and ensure it’s not too compact.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.