Epsom Salt for Plants & Lawns

Reasons for Using Epsom Salt

• Epsom salt is actually magnesium sulfate, a micro-nutrient required for strong, healthy growth in most plants. Epsom salt is often used to provide magnesium to edible plants, like tomatoes and vegetables, flowers, such as roses, and lawn grasses. It can be added to the soil during planting, dissolved in a liquid fertilizer, or sprinkled on the ground around a plant once it is established. If a plant is deficient in magnesium and is able to absorb it from the application of Epsom salt, the plant will appear healthier and stronger, and the leaves will re-gain their deep green color.

Acidic Soil

• Epsom salt is best used to provide magnesium to plants growing in acidic soil. This is because there is not much magnesium readily available in acidic soils, causing plants to suffer from magnesium deficiency. Epsom salt can help provide the necessary magnesium. It does not increase the acidity of the of the soil, making it safer than some other fertilizers that do increase soil acidity.

Alkaline Soil

• Plants growing in alkaline soil generally have access to plenty of magnesium and do not need any more added to the soil. Using Epsom salt on plants in alkaline soil may not damage the plants, but it may not help them either, making the application a waste of time and money. If plants in alkaline soil show signs of magnesium deficiency, test the soil using a home testing kit or through a local cooperative extension agency. Be sure that the cause is actually a lack of magnesium before using Epsom salt.

Application

• Epsom salt can be applied either dissolved in a liquid or sprinkled on the ground and allowed to absorb into the soil. To include it as part of a liquid fertilizer, mix 1 1/2 tbsp. of Epsom salt with 1/2 cup general fertilizer, such as a 6-6-6 or 8-8-8 fertilizer, 1/8 teaspoon chelated iron and one qt. of water. This creates a concentrated fertilizer that should then be mixed at a rate of 1 1/2 tsp. with one gallon of water. Use the diluted mixture to fertilize plants. To apply Epsom salt dry, measure the height of the plant to be treated and sprinkle 1 tsp. of Epsom salt around the base for every 12 inches of height. For lawns, use a spreader to apply dry Epsom salt at a rate of 3 lbs. for every 1,250 square feet.