How does magnesium sulfate affect plant growth and the pH levels of soil?
Epsom salts contain two elements important for plant growth-magnesium and sulfur. Magnesium helps form chlorophyll in plants and is essential for photosynthesis. Magnesium is present naturally in the soil and is also found in organic fertilizers. Sulfur helps activate many plant proteins and enzymes needed for growth. It helps plants resist the cold, assists in root production and seed growth. Sulfur is often delivered to plants in the form of rainwater. The claim is often made (at least by the folks selling it) that plants are usually deficient in these two elements. Not so. Some plants, like chrysanthemums and gardenias for example, do sometimes carry high levels of magnesium in their leaves, and can benefit from having high levels of magnesium in their soil. In the case of most plants, however, soil usually contains enough of these elements that adding Epsom salt is unnecessary. Soils that lack magnesium tend to be acidic. Epsom salt is actually considered a neutral salt, meaning it
