For the upscale homebuyer who wants a natural stone countertop but wants something other than white, black or brown surfaces, lava stone is the perfect choice.

Although quartz and granite remain popular countertop choices, ... Lava stone countertops will set you back around $300 per square foot of counter space. Why the high costs?

Lava holds water, just at the right level, for a long time. If the soil has good moisture and a balance of minerals, organic matter, microbes and earthworms, plant production will usually be good.