“This one weird trick will bring back life to your tomatoes or roses!” Probably you heard this Pinterest Buzzfeed clickbait. All of the bloggers say how Epsom salt makes their plants leave greener and more livable. But no one provides a strong resource behind their claims.
Yes, Epsom salt is a common ingredient that has been used for years to come to grow plants. But it’s a misconception. It doesn’t bring any benefits to your plants in reality.
In Today’s guide, we will break down what plants don’t like Epsom salt and why you should avoid it.
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What Plants Don’t Like Epsom Salt & Why You Shouldn’t Apply It?
Magnesium deficient plants like tomatoes, roses, apples, grapevines, and raspberries don’t like Epsom salt. Though most gardeners use this ingredient for years, this chemical doesn’t bring any good to those plants.
Now, you can ask- why doesn’t Epsom Salt help your plants to grow while others say it’s useful?
Epsom salt is not a fertilizer, and you can’t use this ingredient as food for your plants.
Generally, Epsom salt is used as a magnesium supplement for soils that are especially magnesium deficient. And the fact is- you can’t apply it in your soil unless you have a test in your hand that says your soil is deficient in magnesium.
It’s a piece of cake to add minerals to the soil, but it’s practically impossible to remove them from your plants afterward. If you add too many Epsom salts, you will have problems then. Indeed, spraying them on the leaves is not a Magic bullet.
Many specks of dirt in your garden are slightly deficient in magnesium. That’s why the lagging plants start perking up when you spray a single dose of Epsom Salts.
But repeat doses will create magnesium toxicity in soils. Consequently, you can’t use them as your plants’ food. If you apply, it does harm rather than any good.
What Should You Use for Your Plants Instead of Epsom Salts?
The simple answer is- Use compost fertilizers.
We recommend you look for natural sources of nutrients your plants require for organic growing. For example, you can use natural fertilizers like compost, manure, bone and blood meal, and various mined minerals.
Of course, it takes a lot of elbow grease, cost, and study to make organic fertilizers than pouring on some Epsom salts. But it will grow your plants naturally without damaging the roots and leaves.
FAQs
Can Epsom salt be used on all plants?
You can use Epsom salts on all plants if the soil of your garden becomes deficient in magnesium. Otherwise, you can’t use them.
Will Epsom salt hurt shrubs?
Excessive or too much use of Epsom salt will not help to grow your plants. Instead, it affects the natural growth of your plants.
What happens if you put too much Epsom salt on plants?
Putting too much Epsom salts can create toxicity in soils. Consequently, several damages like blossom end rot to your plants will occur.
Do lettuce plants like Epsom salts?
Yes, lettuce plants like Epsom salts as this ingredient help your plants to produce chlorophyll.
What is the best homemade fertilizer?
Here is the list of best homemade fertilizers:
- Weeds
- Kitchen scraps
- Grass clippings
- Manure
- Tree leaves
- Blood meal
- Coffee Grounds
- Eggshells
Conclusion
Plants like roses, grapevines, tomatoes, and apples don’t like Epsom salts.
For the natural and healthy growth of your plants, we encourage you to use organic fertilizers.
However, you can use fertilizers if you have the result in your hand that indicates soils are deficient in magnesium.
Otherwise, avoid spraying Epsom salts.