Choosing the right colored mulch can set the entire mood for your outdoor space. Black, brown, and red mulch can all make your yard look great, but the best choice depends on a few factors, including your landscape style, home color, and budget.
The color of your mulch isn’t just about aesthetics. It impacts how your plants stand out, how much heat is absorbed, and how frequently you must refresh it. Making the right choice can enhance your home’s curb appeal, create visual harmony with your architecture, and even influence maintenance requirements throughout the seasons.
Consider your selection carefully to maximize both beauty and functionality.
Black mulch
- Cost: $40 to $55 per cubic yard
- Types: Dyed wood mulch, rubber mulch, black plastic mulch/landscape fabric, shredded hardwood mulch with black dye, pine bark mulch with black dye, cocoa hull mulch, black gravel/stone mulch
- Where to use it: Flower beds, vegetable gardens, garden paths, and patios
- Pairs nicely with: Modern, contemporary landscaping and homes with neutral or light-colored exteriors
Black mulch is great if you want a sleek, modern vibe in your garden. It highlights colorful plants and is available in various types, including natural and dyed options.
Black natural wood mulch is charred to achieve a rustic appearance, while black dyed wood mulch provides rich, eye-catching hues. Another popular choice is black rubber mulch, which is known for its durability over wood options but doesn’t provide many of the benefits of organic mulch.
If you live somewhere that experiences hot temperatures, for example, black much might make your soil too warm for plants that like cooler conditions. Additionally, dyed mulch can stain your driveway, sidewalk, or skin when wet.
Brown mulch
- Cost: $40 to $135 per cubic yard
- Types: Pine bark mulch, hardwood mulch, cedar mulch, cypress mulch, pine straw/needles, shredded leaves, cocoa hull mulch, composted hardwood mulch
- Where to use it: Walkways, garden paths, flower beds, and around trees and shrubs
- Pairs nicely with: Traditional, rustic, or natural landscaping. Whether your house is tan, beige, or brown, it blends perfectly with those natural tones.
Brown mulch is a versatile choice that works with just about any yard. It has a natural, earthy feel and comes in shades ranging from light to dark brown. It’s commonly made from wood chips, bark, and recycled materials.
If you’ve read my articles, you know my dad is a big-time gardener and DIYer. Every time he laid mulch, I was right there helping him with the visuals: black or red in the front yard for that extra pop and brown in the backyard to keep things homey and down-to-earth.
You should know that brown mulch works well in most climates, especially where you want to prevent soil erosion and maintain good soil moisture. It’s ideal for planting flowers or shrubs that like moderate or cooler temperatures since it doesn’t absorb as much heat as black mulch.
Red mulch
- Cost: $30 to $40 per cubic yard
- Types: Dyed wood mulch, red cedar mulch, redwood mulch, red pine bark mulch, red rubber mulch, red lava rock, red crushed brick
- Where to use it: Along borders, around bushes, rock gardens, and in entertainment areas
- Pairs nicely with: Homes with dark or neutral exteriors and Mediterranean or Southwestern-style gardens
- Red mulch is a head-turner because it’s bold and vibrant, adding a dramatic pop of color to any garden space. Made mostly from recycled wood waste like pine or cedar, it’s colored with iron oxide (basically rust), which is safe for your plants and soil.
The great thing about red mulch is how it makes green plants really stand out, creating an eye-catching contrast that works especially well in modern landscapes or to highlight specific garden areas.
If you’re thinking about going with red mulch, consider your existing color scheme first. It looks amazing with yellow, orange, and white flowers, creating a warm, inviting vibe. While it can make a statement when paired with purples and blues, just be mindful that it’s a bold choice.
Factors to consider when choosing mulch color
Choosing the best mulch doesn’t have to be confusing. Use this chart to match mulch colors to your yard’s unique style and conditions.
| Black mulch | Brown mulch | Red mulch | |
| Landscape style | Modern, contemporary | Traditional, rustic, or natural | Mediterranean or Southwestern-style |
| Home color | Neutral or light-colored | Tan, beige, or brown | Dark or neutral |
| Plant color | Works with all | Works with all | Green, yellow, white, blue-tinted, lavender, silver |
| Longevity | 6 to 12 months | 1 to 2 years | 8 to 14 months |
| Cost | $40 to $55 per cubic yard | $40 to $135 per cubic yard | $30 to $40 per cubic yard |
Your landscape style
Your landscape style plays a big role in choosing mulch color. If you have a modern, minimalistic yard, black or red mulch can provide sleek, bold contrasts. For more traditional or rustic styles, brown or natural mulches are a better fit.
Your home’s exterior color
The outside of your home can influence your choice of mulch color just as much as your landscape. If your house has dark or neutral tones, red mulch is a great way to create contrast. However, if you want a more sophisticated look or have a light-colored home, black and brown mulches can make your home pop.
Your plants
When you’re choosing mulch, think about whether it can make your plants and flowers pop.
- Black mulch makes bold, colorful flowers and greenery stand out. The dark backdrop is striking against bright white daisies, yellow marigolds, and pink petunias.
- Brown mulch feels more natural and works well with more subtle, earth-tone plants like lavender, sedum, black-eyed Susan, or ornamental grasses. It provides that balanced, neutral base, whether you choose lighter tan hues or deeper chocolate ones.
- Red mulch, though it might clash with cooler flowers, really brings out the beauty of warm blooms like sunflowers, marigolds, and daylilies.
Read more: Benefits of Mulch
Light conditions
Brown and red mulches help deflect light and help keep your soil cooler, a plus in hot climates like the South or Southwest.
On the flip side, black mulch soaks up heat and raises the soil temperature. This is perfect for cooler climates like the North or Northeast, where the growing season is shorter and gives plants a heat boost.
Longevity and fading
If it’s time to get new mulch, you’ll want to consider how fast it fades. Here’s a breakdown of each type:
- Black mulch: Since it absorbs the most sunlight and heat, it fades faster than other colors. It usually fades within 6 to 12 months.
- Red mulch: Typically starts to fade within 8 to 14 months.
- Brown mulch: In most cases, it lasts 1 to 2 years without noticeable fading.
In terms of how fast your mulch breaks down, it depends on the type rather than the color. Read more on this topic in our guide: How Often Should You Replace Mulch?
FAQ about choosing the right color mulch
Yes, you can totally mix different colors of mulch. It can add a unique look to your yard, but just be mindful of how the colors blend together. Stick to colors that complement each other and match your home’s vibe.
Yes, sometimes a touch-up in high-traffic or sunny areas is necessary. Make sure to blend it well with the old mulch, so it doesn’t stick out.
Shredded hardwood, pine bark, and cedar chips are the most commonly dyed wood mulches. Rubber mulch, made from recycled tires, is also available in various colors. Some stone mulches, like crushed granite or marble chips, come in different natural color variations.
Find a local pro to help
If you don’t want to spread mulch, Lawn Love can connect you with a local pro to handle the job. Plus, Lawn Love offers mowing, aerating, overseeding, and fertilizing services to keep your lawn in top shape.
Sources:
- Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist. Iowa State University. Personal email interview.
- “Is Colored Mulch Bad for the Environment?” By Sheila Dunning, extension agent IV, M.S., commercial horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Okaloosa, Crestview, Florida.
- “Is black mulch harmful to plants? Is the dye in mulch toxic?” By Liz Stanley, horticulture community education assistant. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Main Photo Credit: osseous | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
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