Best Plants on Lava Rock | How to Grow Plants on Lava Rock

If you are bored of growing your green friends in pots and want a different way to showcase them, then you can try Plants on Lava Rock. Sounds weird? It’s not! Read ahead!

Lava rocks are mined from ancient volcanos. They are a long-lasting, primarily permanent form of mulch that gives support, offer moisture and nutrition to plants. These rocks are porous and thus have a great water-retaining capacity and good drainage.

According to the Guardian, volcanic rock is porous and can taper water up to 20-30 cm. It is also quite absorbent and works amazingly well as growing media for small plants.

This technique is also commercially marketed by a Dutch Grower as Life On Lava – they have successfully grown ficus, Schefflera, and ferns on it.

Note:

Water: Do not allow the lava to dry out and always keep some water in the tray or container. Avoid using tap water as it contains lime, which can deteriorate the stone. You can use rain, purified, river, or lake water. If you are using tap water, then allow it to sit overnight before use.

Light: Lava rock prefers bright light. Do not place it in direct afternoon sun during the summer months.

Fertilizer: You don’t need to feed the plant immediately after planting it into lava rock as the plant receives nutrition from the stone itself.

Epiphytes and plants that do well in poor soil are the best to grow in lava rocks. Here are our top picks!

Botanical Name: Asplenium

Botanical Name: Platycerium

Botanical Name: Orchidaceae

Botanical Name: Tillandsia

Botanical Name: Microsorum diversifolium

Botanical Name: Schefflera arboricola

Botanical Name: Davallia fejeensis

Botanical Name: Anthurium andraeanum

Small species such as Echeveria, Euphorbia, and Sedum.