Neem oil is an effective, all-natural insecticide, and it’s great for controlling and repelling bugs that eat your plants. You can use it both indoors on your houseplants or outside in the garden.
Not only does it work to prevent pest infestations, you can also use it to control disease and fungus outbreaks. I’ve been using it for decades, so I know first had just how much of a game changer it is. Trust me, it will be your new best friend!
In this post I will tell you all you need to know, and show you how to use neem oil on your plants. You’ll learn exactly what it is, which pests and diseases it works on, when, how much, and how often to apply it, and I’ll even show you how to make your own spray using my easy recipe.
The oil is extracted from the tree seeds, and is either sold in its pure form, or mixed with other ingredients to make pesticide and fungicide sprays.
It is not a poison, and it’s non-toxic to humans, cats, and dogs, so it’s safe to use both indoors and outdoors. That’s why it’s also commonly used in beauty and health care products.
How Does Neem Oil Work?
Basically, the way it works as a pesticide is that it messes with the brains and hormones of the bugs that eat it. It causes them to stop feeding and mating, and they will eventually die off. It also works to smother them on contact, which kills them faster.
In addition to killing insect pests, neem oil repels them, and it has a slight residual effect to keep them away longer than other organic methods.
The best part is that it only kills the ones that eat plants, so it won’t harm beneficial insects (as long as you don’t spray it directly on them).
Neem oil won’t kill all of the bugs on contact, so it might take a few days, weeks, or even months for them to disappear from the plant completely.
Other Neem Oil Uses For Plants
Beside using it to control pests, neem oil also works as a fungicide, so it can help prevent and fight plant diseases. It doesn’t cure them, but it stops them from getting worse.
The way it works is it prevents the spores from spreading. So it won’t always completely eliminate the fungus or disease, but it can reduce the spread so your plant will be able to keep growing. Here are some common ones it works on:
- Powdery mildew
- Blackspot
- Rust
- Leaf spot
- Blight
- …and more
Related Post: How To Debug Plants Before Bringing Them Indoors
What Kind Of Bugs Does Neem Oil Kill?
Neem oil works to kill all types of houseplant bugs, and it has helped me get rid of every single one I’ve ever dealt with. It also works to control destructive plant-eating garden pests outside. Here are a few examples:
Precautions
While it’s not harmful to furry pets or humans, there are a couple of precautions you should take before using neem oil on your plants:
- Some plants are sensitive – Though it’s not very common, some plants are sensitive to any type of sprays, even neem oil. So always test it on one or two leaves and let it sit for 24 hours to make sure it doesn’t damage them.
- Use caution around beneficial bugs – Please remember that all forms of pesticides, including natural ones, should be used with care. Always follow the instructions on the label, and never spray it directly on or nearby any beneficial insects.
- Don’t use it around fish – It can be toxic to fish and amphibians, so don’t use it around a pond, fish tank, or other areas where these creatures live.
- Be careful what you buy – Some brands sell neem oil products with lots of other chemicals mixed in. So always be sure to read the label, because some of the additives can be much more toxic, and are not made for organic gardening.
How To Make Neem Oil Spray For Plants
You can buy neem oil based pesticides in pre-made sprays, or you can make your own using a pure organic concentrate for plants.
I prefer to make my own because I can control the ingredients, so I know there’s no chemicals or harsh ingredients mixed in. Here’s my recipe and instructions:
My Neem Oil Spray Recipe
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure organic neem oil concentrate
- 1 teaspoon mild liquid soap*
- 1 liter tepid water
Mixing Instructions
If you bought a different brand of pure neem oil concentrate than what I’ve listed above, read the label to make sure there aren’t any special directions for mixing it.
To make my recipe, mix all of the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. You can use it on your plants right away, or it will last for a few weeks in the bottle. Be sure to shake it well each time you use it.
*The soap helps the oil mix with water, since they don’t mix well on their own, so don’t skip it. It also has the added benefit of killing bugs on contact, so you should start seeing an improvement right away.
How To Use Neem Oil On Plants
It’s easy to use neem oil on your indoor or outdoor plants, but it’s important to know the right time to apply it, as well as how to do it for the best results.
Below I will discuss exactly when and how to spray it, and give you step by step instructions.
When To Spray Neem Oil
It doesn’t matter when you use it indoors on your houseplants, you can apply it any time of the year, day or night.
But outdoors, it’s best to use it either in the early morning or late evening so you don’t have to worry so much about harming beneficial bugs.
Also, don’t apply it in the full sun, because neem oil can make the leaves more sensitive to sunburn.
So if you can’t spray it in the morning or move your plant to the shade, then do it on a cloudy day. Once it’s dry it will no longer pose a threat.
How To Apply Neem Oil
Applying neem oil to your plants is pretty straight forward, but you should follow these steps so that you do it the right way:
- Test it on a leaf or two to make sure there’s no damage before using it on the whole plant.
- Spray the entire plant with, getting both the top and bottom of the leaves.
- Keep the plant out of direct sunlight until the leaves are dry.
- Continue to use neem oil every week until you no longer see any signs of the bugs or disease.
Additional Tips For Applying Neem Oil
I wanted to mention a few other key tips about applying neem oil on your plants so that you will have the best possible success using it. Here are some additional pointers:
- For best results, be sure to douse your plant until it’s dripping wet, and get into every nook and cranny that you can.
- I recommend moving houseplants to a shower or sink, or outside if it’s warm enough, to avoid making a mess indoors.
- It’s not likely that you’ll get rid of an insect pest infestation with one application, so you have to be persistent.
- You can also use neem oil as a drench to kill annoying bugs in the soil as well, just take care not to overwater your plant in the process.
Related Post: Fungus Gnats vs Fruit Flies: What’s The Difference?
How Often To Apply Neem Oil
You should spray your plant with neem oil weekly until you no longer see any bugs. If you have one that’s plagued by recurring infestations, then use it monthly as a preventive treatment.
For fungus and disease control, it’s best to start applying it to your most susceptible plants at the beginning of the season, or as soon as you see symptoms. Then spray it weekly to stop the spread.
Remember that neem oil has a slight residual effect, so you don’t have to treat your plant every day like you would with other natural insect pest control methods.
FAQs
To me neem oil smells nutty. While it has a strong and distinct odor, it’s not unpleasant. But some people don’t like it, and they think it smells bad. So it may be different depending on the specific brand you buy. The aroma is short-lived and goes away once it dries.
How long does neem oil take to work?
It takes a few days for neem oil to start working once the bugs eat it. But it also smothers some of them on contact, so you should begin to see an improvement right away.
If you have never used neem oil to kill bugs on your plants, I highly recommend trying it. It’s by far one of the best natural pest control methods I’ve ever used.
If you’re struggling to keep bugs off your indoor plants, then my Houseplant Pest Control eBook is for you. It will show you how to identify which one is infesting your plant, and show you exactly how to get rid of it FOR GOOD! Download your copy today!
More About Houseplant Pests
Have you ever tried using neem oil on plants? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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