Rock Vs Mulch – Which Should I Choose?



As with any house project, there are many decisions to make when landscaping your home. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed.
One of the most common questions the Weller Brothers team gets from Midwest homeowners is whether they should use rock or mulch around their plant beds, foundation, and trees.
Rock Pros and Cons

Pros of Rock
- Longer lasting – compared to mulch, which decomposes and needs to be replaced.
- Low-maintenance – once installed, there is minimal upkeep as they don’t need to be refreshed annually, and they don’t blow away in the wind.
- Drainage benefits – rocks allow water to flow through quickly, reducing the risk of standing water around your foundation or plant beds.
- Fire-resistant – during a dry season or wildfire-prone area, rock doesn’t contribute to the spread of flames like mulch does. While this is not as much of a concern in the Weller Brothers service areas, it’s still a consideration.
Cons of Rock
- Higher upfront cost – due to material and labor costs, it typically costs more upfront to install rock than mulch.
- Retain heat, which can stress plants – especially in full sun, rock absorbs and radiates heat, which can stress plants and dry the soil out faster.
- Difficult to change later – if you want to update the look or switch to mulch later, it’ll take significantly more labor and cost to remove rock than mulch.
- Needs proper underlayment to prevent weed growth – weeds can grow through the rocks over time. Without landscape fabric underneath, you may still need to pull or spray weeds.

“Rock is simple if you don’t want to maintain each year, but I love the natural look of mulch.”
– Cam Meyer, Sales Director
Mulch Pros and Cons

Pros of Mulch
- Adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down – mulch is an organic matter, so it adds nutrients to the soil over time. This supports healthier plant growth.
- Helps retain soil moisture – especially beneficial during dry stretches, mulch reduces water evaporation from the soil, which helps your plants stay dry between waterings.
- Insulates plant roots – the temperature regulation provided by mulch can protect sensitive plants throughout the varying seasons. In the Midwest, we especially know how the temperature can fluctuate!
- Lower upfront cost – if you want a fresh look on a budget or are still experimenting with your landscaping, mulch costs far less to install than rock.
Cons of Mulch
- Needs to be refreshed annually – due to the organic nature, you need to replenish the mulch each spring.
- Can wash away in heavy rain – to maintain a tidy appearance, you may need to rake or reapply mulch as needed.
- Can attract some pests – pests like termites, ants, or earwigs are attracted to mulch. However, with proper installation and a high-quality mulch, you can minimize this risk.

“If you have a dog, rock is a great idea to prevent a mess. But, mulch is better for the plants.”
– Allie Rea, Account Manager
Rock Vs. Mulch Key Takeaways
- Rock is a longer-term investment with minimal upkeep, but mulch is better for plant health and soil improvement.
- Consider the look, function, and how often you’re willing to refresh or maintain the area.
There is no “right” answer when it comes to rock vs. mulch, but our landscaping team in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, IA, can help you decide what the right fit is for your space, budget, and preferences.
Let us know if we can help!