Most homeowners want to use an ice melt that is effective at melting ice around their home but safe enough to use around their plants and shrubs. But which ones work best? We've researched the answer to this question, and in this post, we will go over some of the best plant-safe ice melts with you.
Here are a handful of plants safe ice melt that you can use around your home:
- Green Gobbler Pet Safe Ice Melt Fast-Acting Treatment
- National Blue Ice Fast Acting Ice Melter
- Pure Organic Ingredients Ice Melt Pellets
- Snow Joe AZ-25-EB Ice Melter
- Redmond Ice Slicer - Ice Melt Salt
- Branch Creek Entry Chloride-Free Ice Melt
- Diamond Crystal SNO-Paws Ice Melt
- Eco Solutions Organic Melt Premium Ice Melt
- Distilled Vinegar
With so many chemical and DIY solutions to choose from, it can be challenging to decide which one will work best. We've narrowed down the options to help you choose. Continue reading to learn more about the most popular plants that have ice melts.
9 Best Plant-Safe Ice Melts
1. Green Gobbler Pet Safe Ice Melt Fast-Acting Treatment
This fast-acting formula works wonderfully to melt ice and snow in a matter of seconds. It's made from magnesium chloride harvested from the Dead Sea and is safe for plants, shrubs, and pets. This formula can melt ice twice as fast as rock salt and is way safer for the environment. It's not toxic like other solutions containing sodium chloride or calcium, and it won't irritate your skin.
The pellets are easy to spread on your driveway, walkways, deck, or home entrances and it also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're looking for an icer that is easy to use with low toxicity, here is one to consider.
Read more about this ice melt on Amazon.
2. National Blue Ice Fast Acting Ice Melter
This 20 lb bucket of ice melt contains two patented accelerating agents to quickly remove hazardous snow and ice from your driveway and walkways. It melts to -15 degrees Fahrenheit and is concrete, plant, and pet-safe. You don't have to worry about harming vegetation or driveways as long as you use it according to the label instructions. This formula contains no magnesium chloride, bleach, or phosphorus. It also won't irritate your pets' paws.
The ice melt contains anti-caking agents to ensure easy spreading and longer storage life. Check out this professional-strength ice melter if you're looking for a plant's safe and dependable option for your home.
3. Pure Organic Ingredients Ice Melt Pellets
This all-natural ice melt by Pure Organics is free of harsh ingredients such as fillers, bleach, ammonia, and phosphates. It's fast-acting and can be effective in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use this ice melt on driveways, sidewalks, and concrete without worrying about it damaging your plants or drying out your grass.
These pellets create a powerful exothermic reaction to melt ice on various surfaces, including wood, cement, and brick. This solution is also pet-friendly and won't harm the footpads of your pets if they walk on surfaces on which it's been spread. You'll be happy to know that this ice melt also comes with a 100% money-back guarantee if you aren't satisfied with it.
Find more details about this ice melt on Amazon.
4. Snow Joe AZ-25-EB Ice Melter
The ice melt formula by Joe Blow has some of the best all-natural ingredients for your plants. It's safe for pets, which means you don't have to worry about irritating their paws or causing rashes. It's also safe for shrubs and the grass around your home. You also don't have to worry about any slimy residue left behind when using this formula, as it melts completely upon contact with ice.
It's also safe to use on wood, concrete, and other building materials. This solution is made with an anti-corrosion formula to deliver fast results without causing damages to surfaces such as metals and concrete in the meantime.
Read more details about the solution on Amazon.
5. Redmond Ice Slicer - Ice Melt Salt
Here is another safe ice melt that you can use around your home. This ice melt formula is three times more powerful than rock salt and is much safer. A single bag can treat up to 400 square feet of area, and the potency of this solution makes it perfect for heavy winter storms and hail. It's environmentally friendly and won't damage your shrubbery or lawn. It's also safe to use around children and is urea, polymer, and dye-free.
When using this product, you'll want to make sure that you don't over-apply it to your walkways as it can lead to a reddish residue being left behind. It's best to follow the label instructions when using this solution.
Check out this ice melt on Amazon.
6. Branch Creek Entry Chloride-Free Ice Melt
This proprietary snow melting formula is chlorine-free and one of the best formulas that you to use to melt the ice around your home or professional building. It is a clear liquid formula with a neutral pH and can melt ice and snow in less than 30 seconds. The solution also has an unlimited shelf life and can be used on several surfaces such as wood, concrete, marble, granite, and tile. You'll be happy to know that it's safe to use around plants and pets.
It also won't irritate your skin if it makes direct contact during application. If you're looking for a simple formula that's chloride and sodium-free, look no further.
Read more about this Entry ice melt on Amazon.
7. Diamond Crystal SNO-Paws Ice Melt
Veterinarians recommend this ice melt formula as it's completely pet-friendly. It's safe to use around your vegetation. This solution is a versatile one that can remove ice and snow and prevent your walkways from becoming iced over during heavy winter storms. This formula is great for asphalt surfaces, steps, and driveways.
It works in temperatures as low as -15 degrees and is a urea-based melter, meaning that it's salt and chloride-free. That being said, it's significantly less likely to irritate your skin than other ice melt solutions. Looking for an ice melt that's free of all the harsh ingredients? Well, here's want to consider.
Read more details about this ice melt on Amazon.
8. Eco Solutions Organic Melt Premium Ice Melt
Here is a premium ice melt that is fast-acting and long-lasting. It's completely plant and pet-safe, and you don't have to worry about it staining your driveways or walkways. This non-corrosive solution doesn't contain harsh chemicals such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, and it can be used for temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit.
This beet-based ice melt is perfect for walkways, driveways, asphalt, and wood decks. It's an organic formula that will not re-freeze once it's melted, and you don't have to worry about it clumping up around your vegetation.
9. Distilled Vinegar
If you prefer an all-natural ice melt, consider combining vinegar and water. This DIY solution is extremely effective and one of the most inexpensive ways to melt ice. The diluted vinegar will also prevent new ice from forming.
It's all-natural, meaning it's safe for grass, plants, and pets. You can use this quick solution to melt ice on driveways, sidewalks, door entrances, and wooden decks. To make this melt, combine a gallon of water with two cups of white vinegar and stir the mixture. Next, place the mixture in a spray bottle or garden sprayer and apply it to the areas around your home.
Check out this garden sprayer on Amazon.
Is Ice Salt Bad For Plants?
It depends on how often the ice melt is used and how much is used. Overall, ice salt isn't bad for plants in small concentrations. However, when used in large amounts, the potassium the sodium can melt in the soil, causing plants to dry out and shrivel up. The ice melt can also change the texture of the soil by making it more compact and reducing its drainage ability.
Will Ice Melting Kill Grass?
Ice melting is unlikely to kill your grass. Especially if it's only occurring seasonally, however, if you live in an area where heavy precipitation and winter storms are common, it can be helpful to apply fertilizer to your grass at the top of the spring season to help bring it back to its normal pH.
What Household Items Can Melt Ice?
There are a few household items that are natural ice melters. They include Epsom salt, sugar, beet juice, and grass fertilizer.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has helped you discover the various plant-safe ice melt options. Remember, it's always best to first test the ice melt on a small area before applying it to the entire front of your home.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts: