Reference
Does Landscape Fabric Work? Pros and Cons
The short answer
Landscape fabric works in the short term, but it tends to fail over a few years, so most Extension guidance says skip it for general weed control. The fabric's pores clog with settled dirt, which blocks water and air to the roots while letting weeds germinate in the debris on top; the fabric itself also breaks down into a stringy mess and lets weeds grow right through it.
There are narrow situations where it's useful — under rock beds or hardscape, or to line garden paths — because it separates stone from soil. But in planted beds it impedes water and air, entangles weed roots so they're harder to pull, can girdle shrubs and perennials, and makes adding new plants difficult. If weed suppression is the goal, Extension recommends a natural organic or inorganic mulch and skipping the fabric.
Pros
- Suppresses weeds in the short term.
- Woven geotextiles still allow some water and air exchange.
- Useful under rock/gravel beds, hardscape, or lining paths to keep stone separate from soil.
Cons
- Pores clog with dirt within a few years; water and air can't reach roots.
- Weeds germinate in debris on top and root through the weakened fabric, becoming harder to pull.
- Breaks down into a stringy mess; can girdle shrubs and perennials and makes adding plants difficult.
✔ For weed suppression in planted beds, Extension recommends organic or inorganic mulch instead of landscape fabric.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- Colorado State University Extension (Arapahoe County) — Landscape Fabric: Yea or Nay? — Pores clog with dirt within a few years, blocking water/air and letting weeds germinate on top; recommendation to use mulch instead for weed suppression.
- Penn State Extension — Putting an End to My Landscape Fabric Nightmare — Fabric breaks down, weeds root through it and become harder to pull, it girdles plantings and makes adding plants difficult; limited legitimate uses.