Last updated on September 26th, 2022 at 01:03 pm
Epsom salt serves as a natural source of minerals, and it can also assist in protecting big plants against deficiencies. Specifically, it can be very helpful for increased chlorophyll production, lusher foliage, and a prettier and healthier plant.
Epsom salt for garden plants is a myth. This salt is not the beneficial fertilizer it has been believed to be. Epsom salt can cause more harm than good to a good number of plants.
Do Spider Plants Like Epsom Salt?
Spider plants don’t need too many fertilizers, but a little quantity once in 6-8 weeks can boost plant growth. However, Epsom salt will do your plant some good when the plant begins to show signs of magnesium deficiency.
Add a tablespoon of Epsom salt into a gallon of water and mix, then use it on your spider plant once every month. Ensure to continue this until you start seeing the solution come out of drainage holes.
Can I Sprinkle Epsom Salt Around Plants?
Magnesium greatly enhances the ability of a plant to produce fruits and flowers. Whenever the soil is depleted of magnesium, sprinkling Epsom salt will do a lot of good. This is because the major ingredients in Epsom salt is magnesium and sulfate.
You can sprinkle Epsom salt around plants that are lacking magnesium but ensure you’re using the right and safe quantity. Its overuse can kill the plant. So, always be sure you’re using it safely and not ignorantly.
Epsom salt is gentle on some plants as it is pH neutral. If you want to boost the plant nutrients, it’s very easy. Dilute two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and sprinkle it around the plants.
Different plants react differently towards Epsom salt. This means you shouldn’t always conclude that the way you used it on your tomatoes is okay for spider plants.
All the burns mentioned earlier are down to asking for professional advice before using Epsom salt on your garden.
How Do You Use Epsom Salt in Potted Plants?
Although I agree that too much Epsom salt on plants causes them more harm than good, there is a good side. Epsom salt helps the plants develop nutrients necessary for their growth.
But this can only be possible if the Epsom salt is used in the right amount and in the right manner.
This salt can be used quite differently from just sprinkling to get the best results for potted plants. Let’s look at how to use Epsom salt on potted plants.
To use Epsom salt on plants and get the best results, you must make an Epsom solution. To do this:
- Take two tablespoons of the Epsom salt.
- In a gallon of water, add the already measured Epsom salt.
- Shake the solution properly and ensure everything dissolves.
- This solution is to be sprayed once a month on the ant directly in a reasonable quantity. Ensure you do this until you notice the solution coming out of the drainage holes.
The best time to use this solution is during spring. This is because in spring, the plants are shooting new fruits and flowers, and they will benefit a great deal.
When the new seeds and flowers sprout up, be sure not to spray the Epsom salt directly. If you spray the Epsom salt directly on the new buds, it might burn them since they are still fragile.
Can Too Much Epsom Salt Hurt Plants?
So far, we have looked at the advantages of using Epsom salt on plants. Also, we earlier mentioned too much can do too much damage. Such as, degrading the quality of soil or creating consequences for the plant that will damper its growth.
Therefore, you should use the salts in the right proportion and at the right time. If you do not know how to use Epsom salt safely, you can follow the steps above. Better still, you can take advice from plant specialists or expert gardeners around you.
Always remember that Epsom salts are organic compounds, and just like fertilizers, excess portions can harm plants and soil.
Some of the things excess Epsom salts do to plants and soil include:
- Adding Epsom salt to soil or plant that already has enough magnesium inhibits calcium uptake.
- Excess Epsom salts on plant leaves can result in scorching leaves.
- Too much magnesium increases mineral contamination. This contamination is most harmful in waters that pass through the soil.
- Unnecessary and too much application of Epsom salts onto leaves will cause them to burn.
Note:
- Epsom salt doesn’t increase soil acidity but can be too acidic for plants at some point.
- The number of salts used on the plants does not determine how much magnesium the plants get.
- This is because the plant also produces magnesium, and at a point, the salt just enhances it.
- Whenever you notice that your plants are getting burnt, stop the usage of the Epsom solution.
- Using table salt to kill earthworms is better than using Epsom salts, specifically if the environment houses fragile plants.
Conclusion
Epsom salts are scientifically known as magnesium sulfate. This compound, over time, has shown several effects on plants, some good and some bad.
A relevant reason that a lot of people use it is the fact that it enhances flower blooming. Epsom salts also encourage a greener coloration in plants and make them bushier.
Nevertheless, excess use of this miracle salt will cause a lot of unnecessary damage to the plants.