Small rocks are usually used to create various crafts. You can glue small rocks together with the help of the following items:

1. Adhesive 
2. Sandpaper 

There isn’t just one type of adhesive you can use to glue small rocks together, such as pebble rocks. 

The most common adhesives used for this project usually are:

• Super glue 
• Liquid epoxy glue
• Jewelry glue 

To glue small rocks together efficiently and durably, there are a few steps to take outside the gluing. 

Keep reading to discover how you can glue small rocks that will hold with time. 

How To Glue Rocks Together For Crafts

Usually, when someone tackles a project like this for the first time, they wipe down the rocks, apply the glue, and be ready. 

If you want to glue the small rocks together in a way that will create the strongest hold a glue can create, and offer optimized durability, here is how you can make that happen. 

Phase One: Prepare the rocks

If the rocks have dirt or other stains, use a clean cloth and warm soapy water to clean them well. 

Let them air dry or dry them with a clean cloth. 

Now follow these steps:

1. Choose which side of the rocks will be glued together
2. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand those sides to create a better adhesion for the glue 
3. Use clean soapy water or isopropyl alcohol to clean the rocks 
4. Let them air dry, or use a dry clean towel to dry them

Here are a few of our recommendations before you move on to the next step. 

When working with glue, we recommend the following:

• Use protective gloves to protect your skin – if you have gloves on and glue accidentally spills on your hands, it won’t come in direct contact with your skin
• Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing in fumes the adhesive may release into the air
  • If you don’t have the option of working outdoors, then improve air circulation and ventilation in your workspace
  • You can do this by:
    • Using a fan
    • Opening up windows or the door 
• Protect the surface you are working on
  • If you don’t have a designated work surface that you don’t mind getting glue stains on, that’s okay; just cover the space you are using to glue your rocks together
  • You can use:
    • Cardboard 
    • Plastic or old tablecloth 
    • Newspapers 

Phase Two: Apply the glue 

Now here comes the exciting part. 

But before you can glue your small rocks together, you must choose the adhesive you will work with. So let’s quickly look at the commonly used glues for this project. 

• Super glue
  • Great for small rocks
  • Dries quickly
  • Choose a 100% waterproof variation 

• Jewelry glue
  • Dries clear 
  • Not recommended if your rocks will be in contact with water 

• Liquid epoxy resin
  • The strong bond it creates is ideal for medium to large rocks 
  • Great for rocks that don’t fit perfectly together 
  • Holds up in temperature changes, even to some extremities 

• Acrylic glue 
  • It offers a strong bond for rocks, but its texture becomes dense and may also expand a bit – this means that the glue may be noticeable between the rocks after the glue dries and cures. 

Decide on the adhesive you will use for this project – super glue, jewelry glue, liquid epoxy glue. It doesn’t matter as much. 

To glue small rocks together, follow these steps:

1. Once the surfaces of the rocks are cleaned and fully dry, apply a thin layer of the glue on the surface of the rock (or a small blob in the middle of the surface that will be glued)
2. Along the rocks and press them together
3. Use your hands to keep applying the pressure until the glue dries (for super glue, it is usually 30 seconds, for jewelry glue, about 10 minutes, for epoxy glue, it could be a few hours)

Epoxy glue is the most commonly used adhesive for these types of projects. These adhesives usually come in two parts you need to mix before applying them to the surface – don’t mix epoxy glue in advance. 

If you want to work with liquid epoxy glue, follow these steps:

1. Use a disposable cup and a wooden stick to mix the epoxy
2. Mix well until the adhesive is consistent
3. Use a cotton swab or a clean brush to apply and spread the glue to the surface of the rock 

Phase Three: Allow the glue to dry and cure fully

Now comes the waiting time. 

Before you move or do anything with your project, it isn’t enough to let the adhesive dry but also to let it fully cure to get the best results. 

Generally, adhesives require 24 hours to cure, but others, such as different epoxy adhesives, may need up to 48 or 72 hours to fully cure. 

You can find out the specific times by reading the manufacturer’s instructions.

Don’t worry; you don’t need to use your hands to hold the rocks together for this long. But, to achieve a strong and durable bond, it is important to keep them in place. 

Using masking tape or clamps, you can keep the rocks together while the glue is curing.

How To Glue Rocks Together For Landscape

To glue rocks together for landscape, there are different aspects to take into consideration, such as:

• The size and weight of the rocks 
• The weather and temperature conditions the rocks will be in 
• Will the rocks be in direct contact with water?

These factors will determine the type of adhesive you need to use for this project. 

To glue larger rocks together for landscape, the go-to adhesive usually is construction adhesive, regardless of what you are working with:

• Decorative landscaping rocks 
• Gravel 
• Bounders 

If you are looking to glue rocks together for landscape, these are the steps you need to follow. 

Step One: Prepare the rocks.

Just as with the small rocks for crafts, you need to clean these bigger-sized rocks as well.

Use a brush to clean any debris or dirt off the rocks easily. You can wipe the rocks with a clean cloth if the rocks are dusty.

Use your hose to rinse them off thoroughly. 

If you don’t have a garden hose, use buckets to throw generous amounts of water on the rocks, or even dab a clean cloth in water and clean the rocks with your hands.

Now, wait for the rocks to dry fully. 

Step Two: Apply the glue

Use a caulking gun to apply the glue to the rock’s surface. This will not only make the application easier, but it will give you more precision and control. 

Choose a construction adhesive specific to masonry applications to achieve the best possible bond. 

Now follow these steps:

1. Use the caulking gun to apply a couple of thick beads of construction glue to the surface of the rock 
2. Go back and forth with it across the surface of the rock 
3. Align the second rock surface to the one you applied the glue to 
4. Press them together and secure them in place 
5. Keep pressing the rocks together, securing them in place for a minimum of 1-3 minutes
6. Use tape or ropes to keep the rocks secured in place until the adhesive fully dries and cures 

Construction adhesive is easy to use and retains some elasticity even after fully curing. 

Read the manufacturer’s instructions to know exactly how long you must leave the glue to dry and cure fully. 

If you prefer to work with mortar, you can glue rocks together for landscape using this method. 

The only downside to mortar is that usually, you can see it between the rock surfaces after it dries, but if this doesn’t bother you, then here is how you can use mortar to glue your larger rocks together:

1. Follow the same preparation steps as above, except, after you rinse the rocks with water, don’t fully dry them
2. To glue these rocks together with mortar, you need both of them to be still damp when you apply the mortar
3. You should mix the mortar well together until you get a paste that isn’t liquid-like but also isn’t too hard
4. Use a trowel to apply the mortar to the stone (about 1-inch thickness)
5. Attach the second stone on top of the mortar; you can wiggle it in place
6. Use rope, tape, or even wire to secure them in place
7. Wait for the mortar to dry and cure fully 

Conclusion

To glue small rocks together, you need very few items and need to follow very simple steps. 

It is as easy as:

1. Use sandpaper to create a better adhesion for the glue on the surface of the rock
2. Clean the rocks
3. Apply the glue 
4. Attach and press the rocks together 
5. Let the glue dry and cure fully 

Use masking tape to secure the rocks until they are fully dry and cured. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What glue is best to glue rocks together for a waterfall or a pond liner?

Rocks and waterfalls are an eye-catching addition to any yard. With the right adhesive, this is easy to achieve. 

So here are the non-negotiable features your adhesive must have to glue them together for a waterfall or pond liner:

• Waterproof 
• Resistant to moisture 
• Creates a strong enough pond to hold the weight of the rocks you will be using underwater 
• Non-toxic for a pond in which you will add fish 
• Gap-filler to seal the gaps between the rocks 

Follow these steps:

1. Set the pond liner to cover the sides of the bond
2. Prepare your stones 
3. Place the stones over the pond liner to see which will go where 
4. One by one, add glue to the stones and press them together