Do you know the secret about How To Make Hostas Grow Bigger, Bushier, and Lusher? The answer lies in Epsom Salt!
Yes, you can Make Hostas Grow Bigger, Bushier, Lusher With Epsom Salt! The application of Epsom salt in hostas reduces stunted growth, makes their leaves greener and thicker, and boosts chlorophyll levels. It also facilitates bushier plant growth and their resistance to diseases and pests.
What Does Epsom Salt Do for Hostas?
Epsom salt is “hydrated magnesium sulfate.” It consists of 10 percent Magnesium and 13 percent Sulfur. Both are considered secondary essential nutrients after Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
The Magnesium in Epsom salt increases water retention, helps with nutrient intake, and, most importantly, creates chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis. On the other hand, Sulfur participates in the development of chlorophyll, increases the plant’s resistance to diseases, and helps in growth.
So, how can you use Epsom salt on hostas? Let’s see how exactly it works and how to use it.
How Epsom Salt Helps Hostas
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 around the hostas in the shape of a ring. The salt’s sharp crystals will irritate their bodies, and they will avoid coming near your plants. Once a week is more than enough.
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 the soil, and excess potassium or sodium reduce the uptake of Magnesium from plant roots. In any of these cases, you need to foliar feed your hosta plants with Epsom salt solution. Here’s how to use it.
- Mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Use this spray once a month on the foliage during 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 your hosta plants. Then, feed them as you normally do.
Tips and Warnings
Is epsom salt good for hostas? Of course! But you should remember that too much of everything is bad, so if you’re using Epsom salt for Hostas, don’t get overexcited by the results and avoid using it too much.
