--- title: Red Lava Boulders in Sacramento | Mid Valley Rock url: https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-red-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: Red Lava # Red Lava Boulders Red lava boulders are irregular, lightweight volcanic rocks with a porous, holey texture, used for garden accents, rock gardens and succulent plantings. Sizes vary, so walk the Mid Valley Rock yard to pick pieces by eye, and call first to check what is in. Lava: Red Lava Colors vary by pallet and wet vs dry. See it in the yard. Red lava is a bold color for a boulder. These irregular stones are lightweight for their size, which makes them easier to move and place than dense rock. Like most lava, these stones are full of small holes. See [Black Lichen Lava](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-black-lichen-lava/) for how lava forms. The red color and rough texture give desert, cactus and modern gardens a strong accent. ## What red lava looks like Expect rough, irregular shapes and a porous surface full of small holes. The red tone ranges in depth from stone to stone. The texture casts small shadows, so red lava looks lively in low morning and evening light. ## Why lightweight matters Because red lava is light for its size, you can place larger-looking stones by hand or with a dolly. The yard rents dollies by the day. That also makes it a good choice in raised planters and on slopes where a heavy boulder would be hard to set. ## Design ideas Pair red lava with succulents and cactus for a desert look, or use it as a single accent in gravel. See our [drought-tolerant ideas](https://midvalleyrock.com/ideas/drought-tolerant-landscaping/). For contrast, set it against dark mulch or gray gravel. The [boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/boulders/) page shows other options, including black lava. Red lava also works as a contrast piece in a mostly gray or tan boulder grouping. One red stone among neutral ones draws the eye without overwhelming the bed. ## Popular uses - Desert and cactus gardens - Single accent boulders - Rock gardens - Raised planter accents - Slope plantings ### Is it in the yard today? Stock changes with the quarries. Ask us and we will check what is on hand for Lava: Red Lava. [Is it in the yard today?](https://midvalleyrock.com/contact/?stone=Lava%3A%20Red%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 - Wear gloves, since lava edges can be rough. - Bury the base slightly so the stone looks settled. - Use a rented dolly for larger pieces instead of lifting. ### 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: Red Lava - [Lava: Planter Lava Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/lava-planter-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/) - [Sculpture Stone Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/sculpture-stone/) ## Lava: Red Lava questions Still unsure? Call the yard at [(916) 363-4239](tel:+19163634239). We are happy to talk it through. ### Why is red lava so light? Lava is full of small holes from gases as it cooled, which makes it lighter than dense rock of the same size. ### What sizes do you have? Red lava boulders come in various sizes. Call to check what is in the yard today. ### Can I plant in lava rock? Lava's holes can hold soil and small plants. Ask about Planter Lava, which is often used that way. ## 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/) - [Rainbow Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/rainbow/) - [Zebra Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/zebra/) - [Desert Varnish Boulders](https://midvalleyrock.com/stone/desert-varnish/) [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