--- title: Planter Lava Rock in Sacramento | Mid Valley Rock url: https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-planter-lava/ business: Mid Valley Rock phone: (916) 363-4239 address: 5300 Excelsior Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 hours: Mon-Fri 7:00-4:00, Sat 7:30-3:00, Sun closed --- - [Home](https://midvalleyrock.com/) - [Stone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/) - [Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/boulders/) - Lava: Planter Lava # Planter Lava Planter lava is a brown, porous volcanic rock frequently used for garden decoration, with natural holes and pockets that can hold soil and small plants. Pick pieces with good planting pockets at Mid Valley Rock, and call first to see what sizes are in. Lava: Planter Lava Colors vary by pallet and wet vs dry. See it in the yard. Planter lava is a garden favorite for good reason. This brown lava is often used for decoration, and its rough, holey surface gives small plants a place to grow. The [Black Lichen Lava](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-black-lichen-lava/) page explains how lava forms and why it is full of holes. The warm brown tone blends easily into planting beds, and the stone is light for its size. ## Brown, porous and full of character Each piece is irregular, with pits and holes across the surface. That texture is what makes it useful. Pockets can hold soil for succulents, mosses and small alpine plants. Look through the pieces in the yard to find shapes that suit the plants you have in mind. ## Ways to use planter lava Tuck succulents into the holes for a living sculpture, or set a few pieces in a bed as natural decoration. It also works in rock gardens, container displays and fairy gardens. See the [boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/boulders/) page for larger lava options. A cluster of three pieces at different heights, each planted with a different succulent, makes a simple garden feature. ## Placing and planting Lava is light for its size, so many pieces can be placed by hand. Wear gloves, since edges can be sharp. Fill pockets with a gritty soil mix and choose plants that like good drainage. Water gently until roots take hold. ## Popular uses - Succulent planting pockets - Garden decoration - Rock gardens - Container displays - Fairy gardens ### Is it in the yard today? Stock changes with the quarries. Ask us and we will check what is on hand for Lava: Planter Lava. [Is it in the yard today?](https://midvalleyrock.com/contact/?stone=Lava%3A%20Planter%20Lava#quote) ### At a glance - **Category:** Boulders - **Sold by:** Weight, on pallets - **Pricing:** Call for today’s price - **Stock:** Changes often. Ask before you drive over - **Delivery:** Flatbed + forklift, Mon-Sat ### Good to know - Choose pieces with deep pockets if you plan to plant them. - Use a gritty, fast-draining soil in the holes. - Wear gloves when handling rough lava. ### Keep reading - [Boulder sizes and weights](https://midvalleyrock.com/rock-talk/boulder-sizes-and-weights/) - [Boulder landscaping](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/boulder-landscaping/) - [Ponds & water features](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/water-features/) - [Water-wise yards](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/drought-tolerant-landscaping/) ### Visit or call - **Monday - Friday:** 7:00 am - 4:00 pm - **Saturday:** 7:30 am - 3:00 pm - **Sunday:** Closed 5300 Excelsior Road Sacramento, CA 95827 Arrive 45 minutes before closing so we have time to help. [(916) 363-4239](tel:+19163634239) ## Pairs well with Lava: Planter Lava - [Lava: Red Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-red-lava/) - [Lava: Black Lichen Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-black-lichen-lava/) - [Lava: Lace Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-lace-lava/) - [Mexican Pebbles 3/8 Cobbles and pebbles](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/mexican-pebbles-3-8/) ## Lava: Planter Lava questions Still unsure? Call the yard at [(916) 363-4239](tel:+19163634239). We are happy to talk it through. ### Can plants grow in planter lava? Yes. The natural holes can hold soil and small plants like succulents. ### Is planter lava heavy? Lava is light for its size because of the holes formed as it cooled. ### How is planter lava priced? Like other stone, it is sold by weight. Call or visit the yard for a quote. ## More boulders - [Sydney Peak Boulders / Flagstone / Tumbled flagstone](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/sydney-peak/) - [Moss Rock Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/moss-rock/) - [Tufa Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/tufa/) - [Lompoc Boulder Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lompoc-boulder/) - [Arizona Sandstone Boulders Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/arizona-sandstone-boulders/) - [Petrified Wood Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/petrified-wood/) - [Lava: Golden Lace Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-golden-lace-lava/) - [Sculpture Stone Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/sculpture-stone/) - [Rainbow Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/rainbow/) - [Zebra Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/zebra/) [All boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/boulders/) ## Come see the stone in person Walk the yard with us, bring your measurements and a photo of your house, and we will help you pick stone that fits the project and the budget. 5300 Excelsior Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Mid+Valley+Rock&query_place_id=ChIJhQvD0VfCmoARcSXoEbY0WSc) - **Monday - Friday:** 7:00 am - 4:00 pm - **Saturday:** 7:30 am - 3:00 pm - **Sunday:** Closed