What Effect Does Epsom Salt Have on Plants?

Many types of plants can experience the benefits of epsom salt.

Epsom salt can provide your plants with the magnesium they need to grow. Epsom salt can be purchased inexpensively at many drug and garden stores. Plants treated with Epsom salt can produce bushier, healthier plants.

Chlorophyll

Plants use chlorophyll to transform sunlight into food. Epsom salt will assist a plant with this process.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Epsom salt aids a plant in absorbing healthy nutrients from the soil, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, two important fertilization components.

Pests

Pests, such as slugs and voles, are repelled by Epsom salt.

Germination

Mixing Epsom salt with soil before planting seeds, will assist the seed in the germination process after the seeds are planted.

Fruits

Sometimes a plant's soil will lack magnesium, causing a fruit's taste to be bitter. Epsom salt will assist a plant in producing sweeter fruits.

Roses

Treating rose plants with Epsom salt, can cause the plant to produce healthier looking roses with darker green foliage.

References

• Life Love Beauty: Tips on Using Epsom Salt in the Garden as Fertilizer, Pest Deterrent, and More
• National Gardening Association: Fertilize with Epsom Salts
• Mother Earths Garden: Epsom Salt--A Back To Basics Garden Home Remedy