Cypress Mulch vs Cedar Mulch: Which is Better for Your Garden?

Which is better for your gardening needs, cedar mulch or cypress mulch?

Gardeners of today make use of mulches not only to control and potentially stop the growth of undesirable plants such as weeds but also enhance the look of the garden. When appropriately used, you can be able to improve water retention. Among mulches widely used in gardening, two of them are the most popular kinds namely cypress and cedar mulch.

Both possess excellent attributes fit for gardening, but which is better considering other factors?

Cypress Mulch

Usually made out of barks, pulverised leaves, and limbs, and sometimes made entirely of a cypress tree. Such type of tree grows in wetlands and are typically a natural habitat for most animals. They also help filter pollutants in the air.

Cedar Mulch

With the availability of cedar, given that it can be planted again, it is not considered an environmental threat. Hardwood mulch composes cedar mulch which exudes good scent if it is of high quality. They will last for a long period but are more expensive compared to cypress.

When regards to dealing with insects, cedar can help repel insects, including termites. However, they also affect insects that are actually beneficial for the plants. It is better to use cypress mulches, the older ones, for they have the ability to ward off insects. The only downside is that it attracts termites.

Most of the available mulches can improve water retention in the soil which is beneficial in areas where the soil dries out quickly due to exposure to the sun. However, in the cases of both cedar and cypress mulches, they don’t possess this ability. Instead, they absorb or repel moisture not letting the plants to benefit from the water.

Due to the affordability of cypress mulch, more and more people are making use of it. However, with its declining population, it has become the centre of scrutiny because it is being used as a mulch destroying the natural habitats of animals.

Whichever you choose, consider the factors that make a type of mulch great for gardening use. It all comes down to what satisfies your needs, beneficial, and cost-effective. Comment down which is best for you!