Will Plants Grow Through Mulch?

Does Mulch Affect Plant Growth? ... It protects soil and plant roots, retains moisture, slowly decomposes into nutrients (in the case of natural mulch), and keeps out weeds. That said, most plants struggle to grow through a mulch ground covering. Seeds don't sprout well when buried under mulch or when cast on top of mulch.

Can you grow plants in mulch?

Most gardeners prefer to plant in soil and spread a few inches of mulch on top of the soil – around the plant but not covering it. ... You may be able to plant annuals, such as petunias, begonias, or marigolds, directly in mulch.

What plants should not be mulched?

DON'T mulch with rocks.

Especially avoid rocks around common foundation plants like azalea, hydrangea, and yews; these plants thrive in acidic soils (those with a pH level below seven), and rock mulch elevates soil pH, making an acidic soil more alkaline.