Black Lava Rock Landscaping: 10 Best Ideas to Create a Tranquil Exterior

Black lava rock landscaping is the one that is dominated by the volcanic material or at least includes it in the design. It is often used as firestone in a fire pit or mulch, a.k.a soil covering if you are not familiar with it.

Its natural look is used in many landscape designs to create a tranquil visual effect. It can give a soothing experience not only to the homeowner but also to others who see it.

Although the name is black, its natural color range is entirely various, starting from grey to black. The hue is quite different from its sibling, which is the red lava rock.

Another critical point is none other than the porous appearance. It results from the bubbles included in the hardening process from lava eruption until it forms rocks that are later gathered and sold as mulch, as we already mentioned earlier.

Because of its natural origin, black lava rock has fire and heat-resistant characteristics. In landscaping, this trait gives advantages, such as the fact that it can absorb the heat from the sun at day, which is helpful in the moderation of moisture and temperature of the soil.

However, you must also be aware that black lava rock naturally has a dark color. It means, when the day is too hot, its heat may significantly increase and is likely to cause more evaporation.

In landscaping, when you cover the soil with a fabric weed barrier first before spreading the black lava rock on top of it, you can create a chance of suppressing weed growth that can reduce the aesthetic value of the landscape design. Indeed, it means less effort for you in taking care of the landscape beauty later.

The natural dark color of black lava rock can create a natural contrast, especially when you pair it with the right choices of plants. It can also provide texture for an even more appealing look.

Another thing that you may consider when you want to design a landscape with black lava rock because it is pretty lightweight. Something like this will affect the shipping cost of the material.

Now that you know about black lava rock and its significant benefits, it is time for us to share with you the ten best landscaping ideas using volcanic material. Understanding each of them will help you make a tranquil exterior that will bring a soothing sensation for unwinding after every tiring day.

1. Black Lava Rock and Boulder for a Bold Combination

Pairing black lava rock with boulders is a very common thing to do. The best thing about this is that it can create a bold yet natural look.

The dark hue of the lava rock becomes an excellent background for the boulders. The big stones will look even more prominent this way.

As an example, you can take a look at the picture above. It shows a backyard landscape with resort-style.

The main focus that we want you to take a look at is, of course, the black lava rock covering the landscape floor while being side by side with the fresh green lawn. Both of them already create the first contrast in the design.

The next thing is the existence of the boulders as the pair for the lava rock. FYI, the type used here is granite with approximately a 3-man size.

The color difference between the two creates a fabulous natural contrast to perfect the landscape design. The prominence of the granite boulders because black rocks surround them makes them look bold and stunning.

For perfection, some plants are also included in the design. It is a relatively simple but fantastic idea to follow if you do not want the landscape to consist of rocks and boulders only.

2. Succulents as a Cheerful Addition for The Black Lava Rock Landscape

For those who think that the black color of lava rock will make your landscape design dull and away from a positive impression, you need to try this idea. It is to pair the rock with succulents.

These plants are just gorgeous, and they are available in so many choices. The colors are not limited only to greens too. You can find ones with cheerful hues to make your rock garden brighter.

Another best thing you must know about why succulents are an excellent choice to add to your black lava rock landscape is because they do not need too much watering. As you may already know, any other plants commonly need the soil to be moist most of the time. Learn about the right way to water these plants, and they will give you the natural, colorful look that you want.

For the ideas to pair the black lava rock and the desert plants in the landscape, you can look at the picture above as the first example. It shows different types of succulents.

The plants, which are neatly arranged on the white boulders, already contrast the landscape design. It gets even better because the soil at the back is covered with black lava rock, which at the same time also becomes the background of the succulents, making them strike even more.

Another excellent idea is to create a direct connection between the lava rocks and the succulents, as done in this picture. Here, we can also see mixed Mexican beach pebbles that enhance the beauty even more.

In a landscape design like this, the black lava rock functions more as a covering. On the other hand, succulents can help in creating borders or shapes.

3. Green Plants as Simple but Fabulous Pair for the Black Lava Rock

Another option that will look amazing to pair with the black lava rock in your landscape is green plants. Anything decorative and green will look impressive to match with the natural black material.

As proof, you can take a look at the picture. The idea used here is simple because it only consists of small green plants and black lava rocks covering the soil.

Here is another example of the matching between black lava rock and green plants. The best thing that we love about it is how it can still look impressive in its simplicity.

If you are curious, the type of plants used here is fern and hosta. Both can spread quite quickly, so it is recommended that you trim the landscape once in a while. If you do not want to use any chemicals to stop the spreading, you can manually pull some of the plants to keep the landscape design neat.

This next design idea is just excellent. We can see that the black lava rock is quite dominating, and it also matches the dark color theme of the modern carport area.

About the green plants, the designer does not only use small ones here. Some more significant options hit differently but still create a stun.

Here is a different view of the carport area. We can see that the black lava rock and green plants play an essential role in preventing the place from looking deserted. It is just gorgeous and highly suitable for the modern exterior design.

4. Multi-Rock Landscape Design for a Unique Appearance

Black lava rock is also a suitable choice for creating a unique exterior. The way is by pairing it with other types of stones.

As an example, you can take a look at the picture above. This landscape design is none other than the unique view of the bedroom on the second floor of the house.

The unique thing about it is that black lava rock is not the only one used here. There are also some other materials included in the design.

They also have different colors, which are grey and white. Together with the black lava rock, they create an ultimate modern visual but in the natural version.

Here is another example that you can look at. It also uses the multi-rock idea, but the designer makes it even more interesting by creating a swirl pattern.

If in the previous example there is a kind of separator used to avoid a stone color mixing with another, something, on the contrary, is done here. The unique design and pattern are made purely by arranging the black lava rock and other stones to form the pattern wanted, and it is beautiful.

5. Modern Landscape Look with Black Lava Rock and Concrete Pavers

In landscaping, black lava rock is also suitable to pair with concrete pavers. It works primarily in the modern or contemporary exterior.

The picture above is an interesting example that we found. We found it attractive because the black lava rock used here has more variations in size.

Here is a closer look at the combination between the rocks and the concrete pavers. You can also see that some grassy plants are added to the design too.

You will notice that smaller lava rock is used in the higher traffic area if you look closely. It is an excellent suggestion to follow if you are interested in this design because it can prevent you and others from stumbling and falling because of the rocks.

Here is another example with a similar concept. The difference is that the lava rocks used here are only limited to the small ones.

Another difference is located in the choice of the plant included in the landscape design. FYI, the decorative plants used in this landscape design seem to be the feather reed grass.

Other than all those, there is one other thing that we can't miss here. It is a fact that the concrete walkway leads to an outdoor living area with a fireplace in the center.

It gets even more interesting because lava rock is also used as the firestone here. Something like this does provide not only functions but also compatibility with the overall landscape design.

6. Refreshing Black Lava Rock and Lawn Landscape

Another landscaping idea that you can follow if you also want to include black lava rock in it is the existence of a lawn. It would be best if the grassy area is the vast one. This way, the black lava rock will look bolder and become the attention catcher in the design.

You can look at the picture of a spacious landscape above. The design is dominated by the lawn, with cold touches of black lava rock surrounding every big tree in there.

FYI, the grass used here is not real but an artificial one. However, it still looks fantastic because of the very natural visuals.

Another thing you can also notice from this picture is the pairing between the black lava rocks and concrete pavers. This combo is the simplest but undeniably effective one in creating a stunning view of the landscape.

Here is another example showing the front landscape design of a contemporary residence. Here, black lava rock and lawn are found together.

Besides the fact that everything looks beautiful here, there is another thing that we notice. It even occurs in the previous picture too.

It is about the use of a concrete separator between the black lava rocks and the lawn. Something like this is done not only for creating a specific space in the landscape. It is also beneficial in avoiding the rocks to spread run neatly to the grass floor. In other words, the separator is added for the sake of easier maintenance too.

7. Landscape Design with Black Lava Rock and Fire Pit

This next idea has been mentioned a bit earlier. It is about the addition of a fire pit with black lava rock filler in the landscape.

The easiest thing that comes to our mind about it is that it adds beauty to exterior design, as shown in the picture. However, it is not merely about that.

Black lava rock is a perfect choice for a fire pit filler. It is not resistant to heat and fire, but it is also porous to provide good drainage for the outdoor feature.

There are so many types of fire pits with black lava filler that you can add to your landscape. The previous one, although it is artificial, tends to look natural.

The following picture looks neater because of the bowl shape. The round black lava rock inside it also contributes to making the fire pit look well-arranged here.

8. Black Lava Rock In a Peaceful Japanese Landscape

Black lava rock ideas are also the ones that are often used in Japanese-style landscaping. The combination is perfect for creating a tranquil experience, and it is very common to do.

You can include something like the black lava rock fountain shown in the picture above in the landscape design if you want to. FYI, the stone here does not naturally look like that, but it is carved to get the desired look.

Together with the polished river stones, and the plants, the black lava rock creates a relaxing landscape view. It gets even better because it produces the water sound too.

The following example is quite similar. There are black lava rocks, pagoda decorations, and a small fountain. However, the execution of the idea is a bit different.

Here, the primary use of the black lava rock is as the base for the pagoda decoration. We can say that it is more on the soil covering function, although the size is quite extensive and is supported by the existence of the yellowish river pebbles.

In Japanese-style landscaping like this, you can also choose a huge black lava rock or boulder if you want to. A choice like this is perfect for creating the center stone of a zen garden too.

After years, the stone might be covered with moss, too, as you can see in the picture. You can leave it be since it will enhance the natural look of the rock even better.

9. Landscape Design with Black Lava Rock Water Feature

When talking about tranquil landscaping, water features are one of the most favorite options that people choose. Something like this is also applicable when the primary material used is black lava rock.

You can use it for creating different types of water features that match the landscaping design the most. The example that you can see in the picture is a small artificial river that leads to a pond.

The large black lava boulders here are paired excellently with slabs that have a similar color. Other than those, there are also river rocks on the bottom. The visual and the flowing stream of this water feature provide a relaxing experience right at home.

Here is another water feature that you can include in the landscape design, with black lava rock as the most prominent material. It is none other but an artificial waterfall.

The size might not be significant. Although so, it is enough to bring tranquility to the landscape design.

10. Black Lava Rock Wall in Landscaping

The last but not slightest idea to include in your black lava rock landscape is walls created from volcanic stones. You can choose the form based on what you need the most.

For example, if the land consists of levels, you can create a retaining wall like the one you see in the picture. While performing its primary function, it boosts the calming, natural beauty.

You can make the wall even more decorative, too, by following the idea shown in the picture. The black lava rock half-wall here has a planter at the top for flowery plants.

You can even choose plants that are suitable to grow in lava rock if you want to. Doing so will make it easier to maintain everything.

Closing

There are quite a lot of ideas that you can include in the black lava rock landscaping. The ten detailing and features choices that we have shared with you above are the best examples.

Tranquility will be obtained when you can think about the design of the landscape carefully. The points include the available space, the size of the black lava rock, the theme, and some other related details.

If the black lava rock functions as mulch or floor covering in the landscape design, you must consider the right type of plants to pair with it. This suggestion is related to nothing else but the natural characteristic of the black volcanic material itself.