We answer some of the popular questions about this lovely, hard-wearing, low-maintenance limestone.

Small rectangular patio outside french doors showing the colours of Kota Blue limestone slabs when wet.
Rain draws out the depth of colour in Kota Blue limestone, adding to its interest and beauty. Patio laid by Olympus Landscaping.

Where does Kota Blue limestone come from?

Kota Blue limestone paving comes from the Kota district in the state of Rajasthan, India. It's highly sought after for its blue-grey colour and uniform texture.

The limestone is quarried from mines in the region and then cut into tiles, slabs, and other shapes for use in various applications such as flooring, wall cladding, and paving.

Get a sense of what Kota, the place, is like from one of the regular visits to Rajasthan that London Stone has made over the years to visit suppliers. 

How do you clean Kota Blue limestone?

Never ever use an acidic cleaner. We recommend alkaline patio cleaners such as Lithofin Outdoor Clean or Dry Treat Alkaline Cleaner. However, a simple annual patio cleaning regime should be enough to keep your stone looking spruce.

Kota Blue limestone clean patio with outdoor furniture by summer house.
Cleaning a limestone patio needn't be arduous. This lovely design is by We Love Plants.

Does Kota Blue limestone fade?

All limestone has a tendency to fade over years, especially when exposed to full sun. It is this natural weathering that many people find particularly attractive. If you wanted to strengthen and retain the blue tint, then treating it with Dry Treat Colour Enhancer sealant is an option.

Does blue limestone need to be sealed?

Although you may want to seal the limestone in order to retain its colour (see FAQ above), it's not necessary to seal it for cleaning purposes. It's a dense stone with very low porosity (0.7%), which means it does not absorb moisture and dirt as much as more absorbent pavings.

However, this does not mean it doesn't ever need to be cleaned. If you have a blue limestone patio under trees where you'll have significant leaf fall, then any organic matter left on the surface will result in staining. Using a sealant will reduce the amount of time and attention you need to give the stone, as it will make cleaning easier.

Kota blue limestone laid next to wooden step with stainless steel channel drain.
Kota Blue limestone has been chosen here by Harrington Porter for a contemporary, crisp appearance.

Why choose Kota Blue limestone?

Riven limestone tends to have a flatter, smoother split than sandstone. This even surface, with fewer irregularities, is why it often suits contemporary designs as much as traditional settings. It's also valued for its resistance to wear and tear.

When we first started supplying it in 2010, we said, “When you take price, durability, maintenance, quality and colour into account, of all the stones we supply Kota Blue ticks all the boxes.”

Our limestone range has extended since then, and we supply a wide range of sawn sandstones, slates, sawn limestones, and natural sandstones.  But Kota Blue hasn't stopped ticking those boxes. 

Find out more about patio designs with Kota Blue or check out Rae Wilkinson's Silver-Gilt winning urban garden using blue limestone at RHS Hampton Court.

Post updated: June 2023