How To Make Hostas Grow Bigger, Bushier, Lusher With Epsom Salt

Learn how to make hostas grow bigger, bushier, and lusher by using Epsom salt in this article!

What Epsom Salt Do to Plants

Epsom salt is “hydrated magnesium sulfate,” it consists of 10 percent Magnesium and 13 percent Sulfur. Both of them are considered as secondary essential nutrients after Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

Magnesium in Epsom salt increases water retention, helps in the better intake of nutrients, and most importantly, in the creation of chlorophyll, on which the process of photosynthesis depends.

Similarly, sulfur also participates in the development of chlorophyll, increases the plant’s resistance to diseases, and helps in growth.

How Epsom Salt Helps Hostas

Application of Epsom salt in hostas reduces the stunted growth, makes their leaves greener and thicker as it boosts chlorophyll levels. It also facilitates bushier plant growth and their resistance to diseases and pests.

1. Get Rid of Slugs

Slugs are the most common pests that affect hostas. To get rid of them, place a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a shape of a ring around hostas to prevent slugs. The sharp crystals of Epsom salt will irritate their body, and they will avoid coming near your plants. Apply once a week for best results.

2. For Yellowing Hosta Leaves

Yellow hosta leaves can be a sign of Magnesium deficiency. As a solution, add a tablespoon of Epsom salt around the base of your hosta plant per 12 inches of its height, once a month (or more frequently, if required) until it starts to look green again.

3. For Lush and Healthy Hosta Plants

Even if your soil is not deficient in Magnesium, some factors like acidic soil, low soil temperature, cation exchange capacity of soil, excess potassium or sodium reduce the uptake of Magnesium from plant roots.

In that case, foliar feeding your hosta plants with Epsom salt solution is a good idea:

• Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water and spray once a month on the foliage in the rapid growth period.
• When growth slows, reduce the quantity to 1 tablespoon. The foliar application will keep your hostas lush and healthy.

4. Mix Epsom Salt with Fertilizer

You can also mix a pinch of Epsom salt with the all-purpose liquid fertilizer before feeding the hosta plants and then apply according to the instructions on the fertilizer’s packet to enhance its efficiency.

Tips and Warnings

• As with any ingredient, the success of Epsom salt for hostas depends on its balanced use.
• Avoid overdosing. Also, it is best to look for the sign of Magnesium and Sulfur deficiency in plants to get the desired results from Epsom salt application.