Horticulturists don't recommend it at all.........unless one has identified a magnesium deficiency. Word of mouth reports that it "greens up" plants, improves root development, makes plants bloom more heavily or produce more profusely are not borne out by any scientific evidence. If it was such a miracle potion for any plant ills, one would think the scientific community would also jump on that bandwagon. Rather, they have pretty thoroughly debunked the myth that it provides anything more than magnesium availability, should that nutrient be missing or deficient, which it seldom is. And that can be just as easily addressed with a proper fertilizer with necessary trace elements included.

btw, plants access ALL nutrients in the form of soluble salts. It is only when growing plants in containers that salts can build up - inground plantings don't present that situation. The best way to avoid excessive salts is to flush the container periodically with just plant water to wash them out.

Personally, I would go with something like Dyna Gro's Foliage Pro. It delivers nutrients in the ratio most preferred by plants (3-1-2) and it contains the full range of trace or micronutirents.

"I know that salt is not salt"

Being a bit of nit picker here, I know, but -- as just an FYI for those who might not know -- epsom salts are indeed a salt. It just isn't "table salt" (sodium chloride).

Aaaah. And now we know the rest of the story.

Epsom salts do work to help green up variegated violets. Have used on multiple varieties and realize it is not a panacea for all issues. Yes, all plants need magnesium in soluable form to absorb it. Many fertilizers may contain Mg, but some plants need a little more. It doesn't hurt when using at 1/8 or 1/4 teaspoon concentration every month or two. Moreover, I haven't seen any evidence that it increases blooming and never indicated that it did.