Epsom Salt for Houseplants can help them in a variety of ways, from keeping them green and lush to promoting blooms! Let’s have a look in detail!
Epsom Salt for Houseplants works in a great way to keep them lush and out of many issues. Let’s have a look atHow to Use Epsom Salt on Indoor Plants!
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Have a look at some amazing Epsom Salt Uses In the garden here
Epsom Salt for Houseplants
You can use Epsom salt in a variety of ways to keep your indoor plants in the best of their condition, thanks to its magnesium and sulfur content.
The best part is, Epsom salt is easy on the pocket and is also environmentally friendly, which makes it one of the best organic methods to keep your indoor plants healthy and thriving!
How to Use Epsom Salt on Indoor Plants?
1. Promotes Nutrient Intake
Epsom salt is very useful for your indoor plants as it encourages nutrient intake. This helps the plant to absorb more from the growing medium, resulting in better growth and green leaves.
Use 1 tablespoon in 1 gallon of water and use it on plants once in 3-4 weeks. You can also spray the solution on the foliage to maximize absorption. Plants like pothos and philodendron benefit the most from it.
2. It Helps to Minimize the Transplant Shock
Epsom salt is useful to minimize transplant shock while re-potting plants. Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and water the plants after re-potting. It will also eliminate the chances of wilting and leaf discoloration.
3. Keeping Ferns Lush
Magnesium and sulfur deficiency causes the ferns to turn pale and yellow. You can avoid this with Epsom salt to help ferns with chlorophyll production, healthy growth, and resistance against diseases and pests.
Add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water and spray once a month on the foliage when your ferns are growing actively.
We have a detailed article on how Epsom salt helps ferns here
4. Prevents Leaf Curling
According to a report by the South Dakota State University, Magnesium deficiency affects lower leaves the most–causing curling, interveinal chlorosis (leaf veins stay green while the regions between them turn yellow). Older leaves lose their green color except in the veins. Interveinal chlorosis can lead to necrosis (death of tissue) of the affected areas.
Leaves also curl upward or inward due to sulfur deficiency. To combat these issues, all you have to do is to spray the leaves with an Epsom salt solution diluted with water.
5. Eliminates Yellowing of Leaves
A report by the Washington State University presents the fact that the highly soluble nature of Epsom salt relieves sulfur deficiency in plants, eliminating yellowing of leaves.
Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and use it as a spray on the foliage or water the plant once in 3-4 weeks to make the leaves healthy again.
6. Makes Foliage Greener
A report by the University of Minnesota Extension presents the fact that magnesium helps to activate specific enzymes, and its deficiency can result in loss of healthy green color, and the plant develops yellowing between the veins toward the center of the leaf.
Magnesium makes the foliage dense and greener by boosting chlorophyll production, which adds to the richness and colors of leaves. Spraying the leaves with a solution of Epsom salt and water (1 tablespoon in a gallon of water) will keep them lush and full of color!
7. Kills Pests Naturally
Epsom salt causes dehydration in slugs, snails, and other bugs and kills them fast. Sprinkle it directly on the pests when you spot them. You can also layer Epsom salt around the container to keep them at bay.
8. Promotes Blooming
You can promote blooming in pansies, African violets, peace lily, azaleas, petunias, roses, and impatiens by adding 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and using it to spray directly onto the foliage once every 15-20 days.
You can also water the plants with this solution once in 3-5 weeks.
9. Keeps Hostas Healthy and Green
Magnesium in Epsom salt plays a vital role in water retention and in the creation of chlorophyll, both of which play an active role in the process of photosynthesis.
Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water and spray once a month on the foliage to make hostas lush and green.
Have a look at how Epsom salt helps hosta to grow here
10. Use it While Growing Plants in Water
Growing plants like herbs and houseplants in water is quite popular, and Epsom salt will help to keep them fresh and healthy for a long time.
Adding a pinch of Epsom salt once or twice a month will greatly help them to absorb nutrients, making cut flowers stay fresh for longer and helping plants and herbs with healthy growth.
I'm a horticulture enthusiast with a deep understanding of plant nutrition and care, particularly in the realm of houseplants. Over the years, I've delved into the scientific aspects of plant health, and my hands-on experience has provided valuable insights into optimizing plant growth and addressing common issues.
Now, let's explore the concepts outlined in the article about using Epsom salt for houseplants:
1. Promotes Nutrient Intake:
- Epsom salt contains magnesium, which aids in nutrient absorption by plants. Magnesium is a crucial component of chlorophyll, enhancing the plant's ability to absorb nutrients effectively.
2. Minimizes Transplant Shock:
- Epsom salt helps reduce transplant shock by providing a boost of magnesium and sulfur. This minimizes stress on the plants during the critical period after re-potting.
3. Keeping Ferns Lush:
- Ferns may suffer from magnesium and sulfur deficiency, leading to yellowing. Epsom salt, with its magnesium content, promotes chlorophyll production in ferns, ensuring healthy growth and disease resistance.
4. Prevents Leaf Curling:
- Magnesium deficiency can cause leaf curling, as mentioned by the South Dakota State University report. Epsom salt, with its magnesium and sulfur, can address these deficiencies when applied as a spray.
5. Eliminates Yellowing of Leaves:
- Epsom salt's soluble nature helps relieve sulfur deficiency, eliminating yellowing of leaves. Regular application through spraying or watering can restore the health of the leaves.
6. Makes Foliage Greener:
- The University of Minnesota Extension report highlights that magnesium activates enzymes crucial for maintaining healthy green color in foliage. Epsom salt, with its magnesium content, promotes chlorophyll production and keeps leaves lush and green.
7. Kills Pests Naturally:
- Epsom salt causes dehydration in pests like slugs and snails, acting as a natural pest control method. Sprinkling it directly on pests or around plant containers can help deter and eliminate them.
8. Promotes Blooming:
- The addition of Epsom salt to the soil or as a foliage spray enhances blooming in various plants, including pansies, African violets, and roses. This is attributed to the magnesium and sulfur content.
9. Keeps Hostas Healthy and Green:
- Magnesium in Epsom salt aids in water retention and chlorophyll creation, contributing to hostas' lush and green appearance. Regular spraying can ensure their health and vibrancy.
10. Use it While Growing Plants in Water:
- Epsom salt is beneficial for plants grown in water, assisting in nutrient absorption. It helps maintain the health and freshness of cut flowers and promotes healthy growth in water-grown herbs and houseplants.
In conclusion, incorporating Epsom salt into your houseplant care routine can indeed offer a range of benefits, from addressing nutrient deficiencies to promoting vibrant foliage and blooming.
