Black Lava Rock – 1.5″ minus

1.5-inch black lava rock is a lightweight volcanic landscaping rock with a rugged texture and deep charcoal-black color. Its porous surface and irregular shapes create a bold ground cover for planting beds, planters, xeriscapes and decorative accent areas.

This product is an unwashed 1.5-inch-minus rock. That means the largest pieces are approximately 1.5 inches, while the material also contains smaller rock and crushing fines. The mixture produces a denser, more blended appearance than a washed or uniformly screened lava rock.

Natural Black Volcanic Rock

Black lava rock provides long-lasting color without dye or artificial coating. It does not decompose like wood mulch, so it can remain in the landscape for years with occasional raking and replenishment.

Lava rock is also relatively lightweight compared with many traditional landscape gravels. One cubic yard weighs approximately 1,000 pounds, although the actual weight can vary depending on moisture and the amount of fine material in the load.

Benefits of 1.5-Inch Black Lava Rock

• Deep charcoal-black natural color
• Rugged and porous volcanic texture
• Lightweight compared with many landscape rocks
• Does not decompose like organic mulch
• Creates strong contrast around plants and hardscape
• Works well in low-water and xeriscape designs

Recommended Uses

• Decorative planting beds
• Planters and landscape accents
• Xeriscapes and waterwise landscapes
• Ground cover around shrubs and established trees
• Residential and commercial landscape areas

Because lava rock has a rough, irregular surface, it is generally better suited for decorative areas than frequently used walkways or barefoot spaces.

Size, Fines and Natural Variation

This is a 1.5-inch-minus product, so customers should expect a range of particle sizes rather than uniformly sized 1.5-inch stones. It is not washed and may contain rock dust or fines, particularly when dry.

As a natural quarried material, size, shape and color can vary between loads. Some pieces may appear dark gray rather than solid black, and the rock will usually look darker when wet.

Installation and Coverage

Install the rock at least 3 inches deep for adequate coverage. One cubic yard covers approximately 108 square feet at 3 inches deep.

For best results, prepare and grade the area before installation. Commercial-grade landscape fabric can be installed beneath the rock where appropriate to help separate it from the underlying soil. Keep the finished rock below adjacent concrete and curbing to reduce spillover.

Pickup, Delivery and Installation

Rock N Yard Landscape Center sells 1.5-inch Black Lava Rock by the cubic yard or ton. The material is available for pickup at our Copperton location or delivery throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

Visit our landscaping rock products page to compare additional colors and sizes, or contact us if you need help estimating your quantity.

Rock N Yard Landscape Services can also deliver and install Black Lava Rock in a prepared project area. Learn more about our landscape material installation service or request an estimate based on the project size, access and installation requirements.