11 Mulch Alternatives Worth Trying in Your Garden

Traditional mulch like bark and wood chips are familiar choices for gardeners, but there are other mulch alternatives you can use for your garden. Our list of 11 options for mulch will help you get your lawn in top shape. Before adding mulch, be sure to prepare your garden for maximum benefit.

1. Stone

Stone mulch is an option for people who don’t want to reapply mulch every year because it lasts longer than wood chips or bark. Stones will also inhibit the growth of weeds in your garden and add a design element to your landscaping, with landscaping rocks costing around $50 to $800 per ton. 

Your options with stone mulch include:

• Large stones: More stable and less likely to move because of rain or other conditions, but take more work to install; ideal for hilly terrains

• Small stones (including pea gravel): Easier to install than large stones but can be moved and dislodged by animals or weather

Best for: Plants that don’t need regular nutrients from the soil to thrive in moderate to cooler climates can benefit from stone alternatives to mulching.

2. Pumice Stone

Pumice stone is a beautiful and textural alternative to mulch. It also helps repel insects and pests. Unlike other rocks, pumice rock allows water and air to pass through, which helps prevent mold and fungus. Also, the pale colors of pumice rock add a nice contrast to the greens and other bright colors of your plants and flowers.

Best for: Pumice stones are best for soil that needs consistent moisture levels, proper drainage, airflow, and nutrients. 

3. Rubber Mulch

Rubber mulch is usually a more expensive option, starting at $7 per bag, compared to wood mulch, which goes for as little as $2 per bag. Rubber mulch is an excellent choice for people who want to reduce their carbon footprint because it’s made from recycled tires. Even in high winds and storms, it stays in place because of its weight, so it doesn’t need replacing as other mulch alternatives do.

Best for: Rubber mulch provides insulation for your plants, is low maintenance, and made from recycled material.

4. Shredded Newspaper

Shredded newspaper that only has black ink is an inexpensive and eco-friendly choice for an alternative mulch. If you choose to use newspaper, make sure you don’t include any inserts or ads when you shred it, as those pages have chemicals such as lead in the ink. Shredded newspaper may not be the most attractive option, but if you like the idea of using something recyclable, you can put a layer of another type of mulch over the top of the shredded paper to make it look nicer.

Best for: Shredded newspaper might be right for you if you’re looking for an inexpensive and recyclable mulch alternative for plants you don’t intend to eat.

5. Leaf Mulch

Leaves make excellent mulch (it’s even better if you have trees, which makes it free), but you must look for any blight or ailment that could harm the soil and plants. Use a leaf shredder so the leaves have the right texture and size to allow plants to grow. Whole leaves will keep moisture from penetrating the ground. If you don’t have a leaf blower, a lawn mower will do.

Best for: Leaves are a great alternative when you’re looking for a wallet-friendly organic mulch material that’s easy to use and can help you get rid of all of your leaves while benefiting your soil. 

6. Ground Cover (aka Green Mulch)

You can keep weeds at bay and use less water by choosing a low-growing ground cover as a mulch alternative. Living plants will add nutrients to your soil to help your other plants grow and thrive. Ground cover mulch may need to be maintained and trimmed to prevent it from creeping into other areas of your yard. A local landscaper can help you determine which plants would be best for your garden.

Low-growth plants that work well as ground cover include:

• Clover

• Creeping thyme

• Chamomile

• Alyssum

• Creeping Jenny

• Lamium

Best for: Green mulch might be your go-to if you want to improve your soil quality and if it and your main crops can live in harmony.

7. Grass Clipping

Grass clippings from mowing your lawn make a great DIY mulch for your garden. Not to mention, it’s free if you have a yard with grass. Place the green clippings closest to the soil to allow for nitrogen absorption, and put brown grass on top. Grass clippings are also very economical and environmentally friendly. But one caveat: Do not use grass clippings treated with fertilizer or pesticides because the chemicals can damage your plants or interfere with their growth.

Best for: Grass clippings are best for homeowners who have tons of it, want to save on costs, and want to give added nutrients like nitrogen to their soil.

8. Straw

For a farm-friendly feeling to your garden, nothing beats straw. A convenient and moisture-friendly natural product, straw is a good choice for an alternative to mulch. Straw is perfect for vegetable gardens since it can help keep your vegetables and fruits off the ground (no more mushy strawberries?).

One caveat: The biggest drawback with straw is that little critters love to eat it. If you live in a place with lots of rabbits, rodents, or other small animals, straw may not be the best choice for you.

Best for: Vegetable gardens in wet climates or large areas can benefit from using straw as a mulch alternative, though you may need to contact your local mulch delivery company to see how much you’ll need. 

9. Cold Compost

There may be nothing more healthy and nutrient-rich for your garden than compost. According to Oregon State University, it takes time to build up a good cold compost, which can include vegetable peels, fruit skins, eggshells, coffee grounds, and other organic materials from your home and garden refuse. But the wait is worth it. Some people find the smell of compost unappealing, but its organic matter, giving it that pungent aroma and making it oh-so-good for your garden.

Best for: Compost shines in areas that get little to moderate rain when you need to improve your soil quality, and you can create tons of compost for your garden.

10. Cardboard

Cardboard can be an effective way to suppress weed growth (and get rid of those spare boxes you have). Like with newspapers, opt for cardboard boxes with only black ink or none at all to prevent chemicals from leaching into the soil. Also, avoid boxes with waxy coatings since those can take time to decompose and hinder water from reaching your soil.

Best for: Cardboard is best for flower beds and walking rows in your garden. 

11. Cocoa Bean Hull

Cocoa bean hulls are the discarded shells of cocoa beans that have been roasted, which separates them from the shell. One thing that makes this alternative a must is its delicious-smelling aroma. However, while it smells nice and can help improve the soil’s texture, cocoa bean mulch is toxic to dogs, according to the National Capital Poison Center, since it contains theobromine and caffeine.

Best for: Cocoa bean hulls are best for homeowners without dogs, who prefer organic mulch that decomposes slowly and is easy on the eyes.