Plant Care Myths - The Most Mythical - Epsom Salt

The following is a preface, perhaps a caveat for this series on Plant Care Myths.

This series is brought to you to help you avoid wasted time, false hopes and perhaps understand some of the myths about plant care and all that which may have been wrongfully handed down to you or marketed by those who will tell you anything to sell their products.

So many things I hear about plants and their care, not that which I research and study, are mostly anecdotal. In other words, someone experienced some result by doing such and the results were positive, most likely nominal or non-existent - no true cause-and-effect with measured results, in mostly isolated situations. Simply hopeful and wishful thinking.

A more profound example: A friend who has a physical ailment tells you that ailment has improved because they took a pain reliever; yet, the ailment or cause of the ailment still exists.

As I constantly study or read from some of the best sources, I must recognize them. 

In this case (and will be in many instances for this series), it is Robert Pavlis, author of Garden Myths, Book 1 and 2.

I will use my experiences, studies and writings intertwined with his much more vast experiences, studies and writings. He is notably recognized and given credit. I will use quotations where I use his written work.

Epsom Salt is a Good Fertilizer

"Just to be clear, the NPK number for Epsom salt is 0-0-0. It is not a general-use fertilizer."

Epsom salt consists of magnesium (a micro nutrient) and sulfate, both available in most soils.

"On social media, Epsom salt is the most recommended cure-all for every kind of plant problem.  It is claimed to be the perfect fertilizer, increase the flower count, cure diseases and eliminate pests. Sadly, none of these are true."

There are so many other minor and sound concerns one could address in their garden or plant bed.

Epsom Salt is a Good Fertilizer for Roses

"Linda Chalker-Scott, in Miracle, Myth or Marketing: Epsom Salts, reported that she could find no scientific evidence that roses need more magnesium than other plants. The American Rose Society does not recommend Epsom salt for the casual rose grower, but does recommend it if you are a rose specialist. Why would the depth of your interest in roses affect the choice of fertilizer? That makes no sense."

Exactly. Does the plant know the difference? Roses need no more or less of the nutrients they gain from the soil than other plants. Some proper pruning may be beneficial, but as beautiful as roses are; they still live in the same world and function as all the other plants do. Those who market such related products will tell you otherwise.

Epsom Salt Controls Pests

"Epsom salt seems to be the darling of home remedies. Current research has found no evidence that it controls pests. It does not kill insects or grubs, nor does it repel slugs or rabbits. It is completely useless for pest control."

Enough said.

Epsom Salt Controls Disease

Again...

..."There is no clear scientific evidence that Epsom salt controls any disease."

Who knows how all this got passed down to so many.

Another who I follow, a distant mentor so-to-speak, once wrote:

"The best use for Epsom salt in regard to gardening is to use it in a bath after a long day of doing so."

Spoiler: Although bathing in Epsom salt, it feeling good to the touch and against the skin, this provides no remedy for any ailment and is of little benefit to one's skin.

FYI (Perhaps anecdotal - I understand the difference): If you desire something for the skin, my 92 year-old mother uses extra virgin oil on her face each day and her skin is that of a 70 year-old, perhaps younger.

There you have it. I said it works for my mother. This may not work for everyone.