Epsom Salts for Houseplants

[Jeannie]

Epsom Salts for many years has been an acknowledged help for lazy tomatoes.
When the fruit just wont ripen (on the vine), giving the soil some epsom salts will hasten
the ripening process.
Its also been suggested for other slow ripening vegetables such as kale, cucumbers and squash.

While it has not been suggested for pumpkin ripening, it was used in an experiment and did nothing that the sun didn't do better.

[Eeyore]

Epsom salts is actually Magnesium Sulphate which is a salt and works great for plants that require some acidity in the soil. The addition of magnesium and sulphur frees up some of the other nutrients in the soil and makes it easier for the plants to take them up. It won't hurt most plants but it may be hazardous to others so check to make sure the plants you intend to treat don't react negatively to sulphur or salts.

[orchidguy]

I use it in quite large quantities in the spring on my roses, before the compost is added to the soil. The blooms seem to be stronger than when I didnt use it (less suseptable to weathering). Dont know if it is the epsom salt, or just luck, but know it certainly doesnt hurt them

[bathsalts]

Epsom salt is made from magnesium sulfate, a naturally occurring mineral found in water. Epsom salt is quite popular because of its versatility and affordability – Epsom salt is widely known for its healing, conditioning, and cosmetic benefits.