There is no denying the importance of fertilizers for plants. They have been used for decades to improve soil quality. They are chemicals that have essential nutrients that your plants need for growth.
All plants need fertilizers for proper growth, be it annual or perennial. So, if you are looking to grow plants in your yard, consider using a fertilizer.
Having said that, if you have done some research on fertilizers, you’d know that there are so many of them available in the market. As they got popular, more and more companies started offering these chemicals.
Depending on the nutrients that your soil lacks, there are a lot of options available to enhance the nutrient content in the soil. Predictably then, you may go through “option paralysis” while choosing a fertilizer.
There is much to debate when it comes to Epsom salt vs. Miracle-Gro. Both are used all over the world and can benefit your plants in many ways. So, which one should you opt for? How to apply these fertilizers, and more importantly, do they harm your plants in any way?
Today, we intend to compare these two fertilizers in this article. By the end of this article, you will be able to make an informed purchase decision. Let’s begin!
Epsom Salt vs Miracle-Gro
Comparison Table
Features | Epsom Salt | Miracle-Gro |
Main nutrient | Magnesium | Nitrogen |
Pests repellent | Yes | No |
Price | Low | Moderate |
Action | Balanced | Extreme |
Here is a comparison between Epsom salt and Miracle-Gro fertilizers.
Epsom Salt
Epsom Salt, or magnesium sulfate, is one of the most common minerals that gardeners use to overcome magnesium deficiency in the soil. It is a naturally-occurring mineral and gets its name from its origin, Epsom, UK.
It has many health benefits and has long been used to treat pain. However, it is mainly used as a fertilizer as it helps you achieve a lush green lawn.
- Healthy Plants
It’s no secret that magnesium is one of the most important nutrients for a plant. For starters, it helps with seed germination and strengthens the cell walls of your plants. This results in stronger seedlings and, eventually, stronger plants.
Another reason why gardeners use Epsom Salt is that it makes fruits sweeter. It may sound silly, but salt can actually sweeten your fruits. When fruit-bearing plants and trees are treated with Epsom Salt, it increases the amount of chlorophyll in your plants.
Chlorophyll is the source of energy for plants. If there is no chlorophyll, photosynthesis will not take place, and eventually, your plants will die.
- Chlorophyll Production
Chlorophyll draws nutrients from the soil and gives green color to the leaves of your plants. So, more chlorophyll production means more energetic plants. Energetic plants produce high sugar content, and as a result, you will get to relish sweet fruits.
In addition to that, magnesium is a staple in many fertilizers. It improves the nutrient uptake of your plants, thus promoting their growth. So, if your soil has enough nutrients, but your plants are magnesium-deficient, consider treating them with Epsom salt.
When you use Epsom salt, it provides magnesium to soil, and you will notice a clear difference in your plants’ health. Your plant will soon regain its rich green color that faded due to magnesium deficiency. Furthermore, your flowers will also start blooming for longer.
A change in leaves’ color is one of the most common symptoms of a plant having a magnesium deficiency. They will either turn to yellow or light green.
Unfortunately, it is a common problem, and many plants suffer from it. If you notice a change in color in your plant’s leaves, it indicates that your plant needs magnesium. So, using Epsom salt would be a good idea.
- Pests Repellent
Epsom salt has also shown benefits against pests. Of course, pests can damage your plants in multiple ways. They chew the leaves and suck out all the juice from them. Apart from that, they can make holes in the leaves, completely ruining the overall look of your plants.
This is where Epsom salt comes in handy. It is a pest repellent, so applying it to your plants will keep pests at bay. If pests have attacked your lovely green plants, you can use Epsom salt to get rid of them.
However, it is pertinent to mention that Epsom salt is not a pesticide, and if pests have attacked in groups, it would be better to use a pesticide.
- How to Apply?
The best way to apply Epsom salt to your plants is to make a solution of a tsp of Epsom salt in one liter of water. Next, pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it directly on the plants.
Having said that, it must be pointed out that applying too much Epsom salt can also hurt your plants. If your soil already has sufficient magnesium, adding Epsom will disturb the balance of nutrients in the soil.
This situation may cause the plants to wilt. Burned roots and dark foliage are also common problems associated with excessive Epsom salt. Therefore, it is recommended to test your soil before applying Epsom salt. If your soil doesn’t need magnesium, refrain from adding this salt.
Miracle-Gro
Miracle-Gro is a popular all-purpose fertilizer. It has all the nutrients that your plants need to grow vigorously. Since it is an all-purpose fertilizer, it is suitable for all plants.
- Faster Growth
The Miracle-Gro fertilizer bolsters plant growth, thanks to its high nitrogen ratio. It is highly effective and starts working right away. Apply it, and it will boost the growth of your plants significantly.
On the other hand, Epsom salt is not that effective when it comes to growth. So, if you want your plants to grow faster, look no further than Miracle-Gro fertilizer.
Nitrogen is a key ingredient of chlorophyll. As we mentioned above, chlorophyll is vital for your plants as it provides energy for photosynthesis. And if your plants lack nitrogen, they will definitely show problems.
- When to Apply?
The discoloration is a symptom associated with nitrogen deficiency in plants. If your plants have changed their color to yellowish green, know that they lack nitrogen.
Furthermore, the roots may grow abnormally, and shoots may not grow at all. If you have experienced these symptoms lately, consider using the Miracle-Gro fertilizer.
- Side-Effects
However, be mindful that overapplying the Miracle-Gro fertilizer can cause your plants to burn. They have high salt content, and if not used carefully, they can damage your plants. Moreover, some users mentioned that using Miracle-Gro negatively impacts the microbial activity in the soil.
Instructions regarding the application are provided on the package. So, consider reading those instructions before applying fertilizer. Also, if you do not know how much is too much, consider consulting with a botanist.
Final Verdict
Epsom salt and Miracle-Gro are two widely used plant foods. Both offer many benefits for plants and provide vital nutrients to plant soil. While Miracle-Gro is super powerful, it is seen that using it inappropriately can harm your plants. The balanced action and affordability of Epsom salt make it a better option.