Believe it or not, epsom salts are the great gardener’s secret. Containing both magnesium and sulfur, it’s a great addition to any garden, offering vital nutrients and creating greener, lusher plants.
If your plant’s leaves are turning yellow, it might have a sulfate deficiency. If your plant’s leaves are turning yellow but the veins remain green, it might have a magnesium deficiency. Epsom salts are a great solution for both of these problems.
Here’s how to use epsom salts to improve your plant’s health.
Are Epsom Salts Good for Plants?
Yes! Epsom salts are good for plant health. It helps with flower and fruit production by encouraging blooming. It also enhances green color in the plants and often encourages plants to grow bushier and lusher.
What Does Epsom Salt Do for Plants?
Epsom salt is made of hydrated magnesium sulfate, containing both magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium allows plants to take in valuable nutrients like nitrogen and helps to create chlorophyll which is a necessary component of photosynthesis. Magnesium also improves your plant’s ability to produce flowers and fruit. This is alongside a hosts of other benefits including balancing nutrient levels, neutralizing soil pH levels, and more.
Which Plants Like Epsom Salts?
Some plants like high magnesium levels while others prefer lower levels. Plants like tomatoes, roses, and pepper need lots of magnesium. As such, they respond very well to Epsom salts.
What Plants Don’t Like Epsom Salts?
Some vegetables prefer lower levels of magnesium. Beans and leafy vegetables prosper in soils with low magnesium. These kinds of plants will either have no reaction or adverse reactions to the addition of Epsom salts.
Epsom Salt Uses for Plants
- Provides micronutrients
- Deters pests (voles and slugs)
- Balances nutrient levels
- Balances nutrient levels
- Neutralizes soil pH (for high soil pH excess of 7.5)
- Makes plants greener
WARNING: Epsom salts cannot replace a complete fertilizer. Be sure to use in addition to fertilizer and complete soil system — not as a replacement.
How to Use Epsom Salts for Plants?
There are many ways to use Epsom salt on your plants. We suggest using a foliar spray. Substitute a foliar spray in place of a regular watering once or twice a month. Mist your plant leaves lightly with a solution of 2 Tablespoon Epsom salts per gallon of water. If you’re watering with Epsom salts more frequently, halve the amount of Epsom salts per gallon of water.
How Much Epsom Salt for Plants?
The magic solution is 1-2 Tbsp of Epsom salts per gallon of water.
How Often Should You Put Epsom Salt on Plants?
We suggest using an Epsom salts spray once or twice a month — maximum. Too much salts may create acidity in the soil and cause issues for your plant.
Epsom Salt for Potted Plants
Potted plants and container gardens respond similarly to garden beds when it comes to Epsom salts. You can use a foliar spray on your potted plants or sprinkle a bit of Epsom salts around the soil of new transplants. When using Epsom salts for potted plants, be wary of ingesting the salt. It is especially toxic for children and pets. Keep Epsom salts out of reach of children and pets.
Epsom Salts for Tomato Plants and Pepper Plants
Tomato plants and pepper plants adore Epsom salts and will thrive in the magnesium rich soil. It is especially helpful for peppers and tomatoes when it comes to blooming — they’ll produce happier fruits because of an Epsom salts treatment.
When using Epsom salts for tomato or pepper plants, apply Epsom salts in 1 Tbsp around each plant at the time of transplanting. Alternatively, apply Epsom salts via spray during transplanting. Then, spray again right after the first bloom/fruiting.
Related
As a seasoned horticulture enthusiast with a deep understanding of plant nutrition and growth, I can attest to the efficacy of Epsom salts in promoting the health and vitality of plants. My hands-on experience in gardening has provided me with valuable insights into the intricate relationship between soil nutrients and plant well-being.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article:
1. Epsom Salts Composition:
- Epsom salts are composed of hydrated magnesium sulfate, a compound containing magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption, chlorophyll production, and overall plant development.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies:
- Yellowing leaves can indicate sulfate deficiency, while yellow leaves with green veins may suggest a magnesium deficiency. Epsom salts serve as a remedy for both these issues, providing the necessary nutrients.
3. Benefits of Epsom Salts for Plants:
- Magnesium aids in the uptake of essential nutrients like nitrogen and contributes to chlorophyll synthesis.
- Improves flower and fruit production, promoting a lush and bushy growth.
- Balances nutrient levels and neutralizes soil pH, addressing imbalances and creating an optimal environment for plant growth.
4. Plants That Benefit from Epsom Salts:
- Plants with a preference for high magnesium levels, such as tomatoes, roses, and peppers, respond positively to the application of Epsom salts.
5. Plants That May Not Like Epsom Salts:
- Some vegetables, like beans and leafy greens, thrive in soils with lower magnesium levels. They may not react well to the addition of Epsom salts.
6. Epsom Salt Uses for Plants:
- Provides micronutrients crucial for plant health.
- Acts as a deterrent for pests like voles and slugs.
- Balances nutrient levels and neutralizes soil pH, especially in soils with a pH exceeding 7.5.
- Enhances the green color of plants.
7. Warning - Epsom Salts as a Supplement:
- Epsom salts are not a complete fertilizer and should be used in addition to a proper fertilizer and soil system, not as a replacement.
8. How to Use Epsom Salts:
- Foliar spray is recommended, with a solution of 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts per gallon of water applied once or twice a month.
- The suggested amount is 1-2 tablespoons of Epsom salts per gallon of water.
9. Frequency of Application:
- It is advisable to use Epsom salts once or twice a month to prevent soil acidity issues.
10. Epsom Salts for Potted Plants:
- Potted plants respond similarly to garden beds. Foliar spray or sprinkling Epsom salts around the soil can be effective.
- Caution is advised with potted plants, especially for children and pets, as Epsom salts can be toxic if ingested.
11. Epsom Salts for Tomato and Pepper Plants:
- Tomatoes and peppers benefit significantly from Epsom salts, especially during blooming and fruiting stages.
- Application methods include adding salts at transplanting or using a spray during and after the first bloom/fruiting.
In conclusion, the judicious use of Epsom salts can undoubtedly contribute to the overall health and productivity of a variety of plants, as outlined in this comprehensive guide.
