Red Cinder

A True Volcanic Aggregate for the Arizona Climate

Red Cinder is a naturally lightweight volcanic rock with a deep burgundy-to-rust color that comes from the iron oxide in the original lava flow. Because the stone forms as gas-filled lava cools quickly, the finished cinder is porous, lightweight, and structurally stable, which is exactly what you want for desert landscape installs that have to handle heat, monsoon runoff, and decades of UV without fading or breaking down.

Color reads as a warm brick red in direct sun, with darker maroon and the occasional charcoal or natural stone fleck mixed in. The texture is rough and matte, which gives it a grounded, organic feel that pairs cleanly with desert plantings, natural wood, and weathered metal hardscape.

Sizes Available

• 3/8″ (small): the fine grade. Best for pathway tops, dog runs, decomposed-style fill, and detail work around plantings where you want a tighter, more uniform texture.
• 1/2″ (medium): the most popular size. The all-purpose landscape grade for ground cover, beds, tree wells, and around cacti and succulents.
• 1″ (large): the chunkier grade. Better for drainage zones, erosion control, and accent areas where you want more visual texture and a stone that stays put in heavy rain.

Sold by the ton, half-ton sack, and full pallet. Coverage averages roughly 80 sq ft per ton at 2″ depth, though lightweight cinder will spread further than denser landscape rock at the same weight.

Why Red Cinder Works in the Desert

A few reasons red cinder is one of the most-used landscape aggregates in the Valley:

• Drainage: the porous structure lets water move through instead of pooling, which matters during monsoon season.
• Heat retention: holds warmth around the root zones of desert plants through cool winter nights without scorching them in summer.
• Lightweight: easier on raised planters, rooftops, and any application where load matters.
• Doesn’t compact: won’t pack down into a hardened layer the way some decomposed granites will.
• UV-stable color: the iron-oxide red is part of the stone itself, not a coating, so it doesn’t bleach out in Arizona sun.

Why ABC Sand & Rock

We’ve supplied decorative aggregates to Valley homeowners, designers, and landscape contractors for years. Every load of red cinder is screened to size and inventoried by grade, so what you order is what arrives. Delivery is available across the Phoenix metro, with same-week scheduling typical. Pickup at the yard is welcome any day we’re open.

Matching to existing landscape rock, pavers, or brickwork? Bring a sample by the yard and our team will pull a handful in natural light so you can confirm the color match before you load up.