Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is a mineral fertilizer that aids plants and grass grow stronger in the garden. Tomatoes, roses, peppers, carrots, and citrus trees are also grown with Epsom salt by gardeners.
Epsom salt helps plants grow stronger, absorb nutrients more effectively, make them look healthier, and even repel insects. Your soil pH won’t be affected by Epsom salt because it has neutral pH levels. Epsom salt is not without its detractors, despite being widely used in gardening. According to some, Epsom salt is ineffective in improving the appearance of plants. Furthermore, Epsom salt does not contain nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium and is therefore ineffective as a fertilizer.
When it comes to using Epsom salt in the garden, what is the truth? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a naturally occurring mineral to boost plant growth? This article examines some of the reasons why magnesium sulfate might be beneficial to your garden. We’ll also dispell several of the common beliefs about Epsom salt’s use in plants, including a few myths.
What is Epsom Salt?
Magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen are all present in Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), a mineral compound. In agriculture, medicine, and construction, Epsom salt resembles huge salt crystals. The Epsom salt got its popular name because it was originally created in springs in the English town of Epsom.
The magnesium and sulfur contents of soil are increased by using Epsom salt for plants, which is one of numerous nutrients required for plant development. Plants may absorb principal essential nutrients because of the role of magnesium in chlorophyll production. If the soil lacks magnesium, adding Epsom salt to the garden soil may help some plants thrive.
Despite the fact that it is called a salt, magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) should not be confused with common table salt (sodium chloride). Epsom salt has several benefits for plants and grass in addition to the fact that it shouldn’t be used in your garden.
Is Epsom Salt Good for Plants?
If there is a magnesium (Mg) shortage in the soil, Epsom salt is beneficial to plants. If magnesium is deficient in the soil, adding it can help plants thrive. Magnesium is an important supplementary nutrient for optimum plant development, according to researchers.
Low magnesium levels can sometimes be caused by a chemical imbalance, bad soil, or soil with magnesium-hungry plants growing in it. For plants to compensate for any deficits, adding a magnesium supplement such as Epsom salt might be beneficial.
Magnesium deficiencies can occur in acidic, loamy soils, according to the University of Minnesota. A lack of magnesium, on the other hand, is not usually an issue in many gardens and backyards.
What Does Epsom Salt Do for Plants?
Healthy plant growth can be aided by Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate. Plants utilize magnesium to produce chlorophyll, which gives them energy and their green color.
Chlorophyll is a substance required for photosynthesis. Plants may create blossoms and absorb essential nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, thanks to Magnesium. Soil magnesium deficiencies can be addressed by adding Epsom salt. If there isn’t enough magnesium in the soil, Epsom salt can do a lot for plants in different ways.
Epsom Salt Could Encourage Plant Growth
Adding Epsom salt to magnesium-deficient soil might help promote plant growth since magnesium is required by plants. Plants need energy to grow and create flowers and fruit, as well as magnesium, so photosynthesis isn’t just responsible for their green color; it’s also necessary.
QThe magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt may benefit plants growing in poor soil. In certain soil types, adding Epsom salt may help remedy magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency is more likely in garden soils that have little organic matter. Since these soil types reduce magnesium uptake, Epsom salt can also help acidifying soil and potassium-rich soil.
Epsom Salt Can Provide Some Plant Micronutrients
Magnesium and sulfur are two micronutrients that many plants need. Tomatoes, roses, potatoes, peppers, carrots, and citrus trees are among the plants that need high magnesium levels in the ground. These plants may benefit from Epsom salt if you have acidic or loamy soil. Of course, not all plants profit from Epsom salt, and each plant has its own nutritional requirements. Legumes and leafy greens, for example, thrive in soils with little magnesium. As a result, adding Epsom salt to these plants will have no effect on their growth.
Surprisingly, a meta-analysis of magnesium fertilizers revealed that they may be useful in agriculture, according to findings published in 2019. Magnesium fertilization may benefit acidic soil, according to scientists. Magnesium supplementation may provide an advantage to tomato productivity and photosynthesis in foliage plants in specific circumstances.
Epsom salt is utilized to remedy magnesium shortages in some circumstances, according to researchers from Mississippi State University. Epsom salt, which is used as a magnesium fertilizer in magnesium-depleted soil, is a typical source of soluble magnesium.
Epsom Salt May Improve Plant Nutrient Uptake
Plants may absorb important nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus if the magnesium content of Epsom salt is used. Plants that are magnesium-deficient may struggle to absorb nutrients and become stressed. Normal nutrient absorption will occur when Epsom salt is used to treat magnesium deficiencies.
It’s important to keep in mind that Epsom salt only benefits plants with a magnesium deficiency. Adding Epsom salt won’t boost nutrient absorption beyond its normal threshold if your soil is healthy and balanced.
Epsom Salt May Deter Pests on Plants
Epsom salt, according to gardeners, may repel and even kill insects upon contact. Sprinkling Epsom salt around the roots of plants or mixing an Epsom salt spray solution are two ways to get rid of garden bugs. On the effectiveness of Epsom salt as a natural pesticide, however, there is only anecdotal evidence.
To test whether Epsom salt is effective as a natural insect repellent, you might try it. Dissolve Epsom salt in 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) of water by mixing it with a half cup of water. To help keep bugs at bay, coat your plant leaves with a pump sprayer. You can also help keep pests away from tomato plants and roses by sprinkling Epsom salt around them.
Although Epsom salt is claimed to be effective against pests, the Washington State University Extension (WSU) says that there is no proof for this. Therefore, avoid applying Epsom salt excessively or overdosing the soil with excessive amounts of magnesium if you decide to use it for slugs, caterpillars, or other pests.
Does Epsom Salt Make Plants Greener?
Magnesium deficiency is most prevalent in citrus trees and decorative plants, and yellowing leaves are a indication of it. Several gardeners think that adding Epsom salt to the soil helps their plants develop greener leaves. If your soil lacks magnesium, this may be the case.
Chlorophyll, a green pigment used in photosynthesis, requires magnesium for its production. Using Epsom salt, on the other hand, will make little difference if your soil has enough magnesium.
Can Epsom Salt Neutralize Soil pH Levels?
Because it isn’t acidic or basic, Epsom salt will have no effect on soil pH levels. Epsom salt has a neutral pH of 7.0, so it won’t make the soil more acidic or alkaline. Magnesium-deficient soils may be acidic or sandy. Nevertheless, Epsom salt supplementation may help with magnesium deficiency, but it will not aid in lowering acidity.
How To Use Epsom Salt For Plants
Plants that need a lot of magnesium, such as peppers, roses, and tomatoes, can benefit from Epsom salt in the garden. Irrigate your plants with Epsom salt water, which contains 1-2 tablespoons of Epsom salt, for healthy growth. To boost magnesium levels in plants such as tomatoes or peppers, you can also dust 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt granules around their roots.
Once the application is done, water your plants thoroughly. You can also use Epsom salt to make a foliar spray by mixing 1 Tablespoon of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water. Apply the Epsom salt fertilizer to the leaves of the plant directly.
It’s important to note that not all plants profit from the addition of Epsom salt before using it on them. Before using Epsom salt as a fertilizer, make sure to select the kind of crops you want to cultivate. Furthermore, since there are no nutrient deficiencies to address in magnesium-rich soils, adding Epsom salt will have little benefit. Get a soil test done to see if there are any soil deficiencies before using Epsom salt in your garden.
Epsom Salt for Roses
To help meet the magnesium requirements of roses, use Epsom salt to water them. Use a gallon (3.8 liters) of water to hydrate your rose bushes once a month throughout the growing season, adding one tablespoon of Epsom salt to it.
Epsom Salt for Tomatoes and Peppers
You may help tomatoes or peppers to create high yields by applying Epsom salt granules as a liquid spray. Sprinkle a tablespoon of Epsom salt around the base of each plant to activate the granular technique. After you plant the plants, apply the granules, then wait until they bloom, and then wait until the first fruits appear.
To help prevent tomatoes from suffering from a magnesium deficiency, you can also make an Epsom salt spray. In a gallon (3.8 liters) of water, dissolve one tablespoon of Epsom salt crystals. When planting, then after blooming, and finally when the fruits begin developing, thoroughly spray the tomatoes or peppers with Epsom salt three times.
Epson Salt for Citrus Trees
Magnesium deficiency is the most frequent cause of yellowing leaves in citrus trees. Adding Epsom salt to your citrus tree may help encourage the development of healthy green leaves if your citrus tree has yellow leaves. Apply 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per 3 feet (1 meter) of tree height to citrus trees.
You may sprinkle Epsom salt onto the ground beneath the citrus tree or dissolve it in water. After you’ve applied Epsom salt to your citrus tree, keep it watered well. Pepper plants, tomatoes, and fruit trees can all benefit from calcium nitrate as a fertilizer.
When Not to Use Epsom Salt for Plants
In certain situations, Epsom salt may be beneficial as a fertilizer in gardens. It’s not, however, a miracle plant fertilizer for every situation. Since it lacks key plant nutrients, don’t substitute Epsom salt for regular fertilizer. In soil with high magnesium levels, you don’t need to add Epsom salt.
Crops and flowering plants that flourished in low magnesium soils do not need Epsom salt, which is found in high concentrations.
Epsom Salt for Lawns
Because of its magnesium and sulfur contents, Epsom salt is a excellent product for lawn care. Epsom salt aids chlorophyll formation, nutrient absorption, and keeps your lawn looking lush and healthy by including magnesium. Add four tablespoons of Epsom salt to one gallon (3.8 liters) of water and use it as a lawn fertilizer to use Epsom salt as a lawn fertilizer.
Instead, water the lawn with Epsom salt sprinkled on top. During the spring, gardeners recommended Epsom salt as a lawn fertilizer.
It’s only beneficial if your lawn has a magnesium deficit, similar to how using Epsom salt for plants is. It’s a good idea to perform a soil nutrient test before watering your turfgrass with an Epsom salt solution. You may apply Epsom salt to your lawn if magnesium levels are low and you notice yellowing in the grass. Use
Epsom salt on lawns once a month during the growing season to avoid too much magnesium on your lawn and prevent leeching. Another simple way to keep your lawn looking lush and healthy with vibrant growth is using liquid lawn fertilizers. Organic lawn fertilizers can also be used to provide grass with essential nutrients.
Epsom Salt for Plants – Conclusion
To overcome magnesium deficiencies, Epsom salt for gardens may be used as a soil amendment. Photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and plant growth are all dependent on magnesium for healthy plants. Epsom salt, on the other hand, is only effective when magnesium shortages are present.