Plant care isn’t easy, and various diseases and pests can quickly undo all your hard work. Fortunately, there are effective solutions available at good gardening stores that can help prevent and combat a range of issues in both garden and potted plant cultivation. One of these is the increasingly popular neem oil. What is neem oil? How can you use neem oil in the garden?
What is it? What plant is it from?
Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the seeds of an exotic plant – the Indian lilac tree. It is sensitive to temperature changes, making it quite viscous, and below 73°F, it takes on a solid form. Its color ranges from dark yellow to brown, and it has a rather strong, distinctive smell.
Like all oils, it requires storage in a dark place to prevent it from going rancid.
The Indian lilac tree (Latin: Azadirachta indica), commonly known simply as "neem," is a tree with a wide range of medicinal properties. All parts of the plant are used.
However, neem seed oil is of particular significance. It is used not only in natural medicine and herbalism (including Ayurveda) but also in gardening, where it helps combat many plant issues.
How to Use Neem Oil for Plant Care?
Neem oil is a very effective and fully natural insecticide and fungicide, which is why it is most commonly used in this way for plant care. It protects plants from pests and helps eliminate those that have already appeared on the plants.
Additionally, neem oil can be used to improve the appearance of houseplants – it acts as a natural leaf polish, giving the plant a shine, enhancing color, and making hues appear more vibrant and lush.
Is Neem Oil Safe for Plants, Humans, and Pets?
The Indian lilac tree is completely safe for plants and humans. It will not harm pets or beneficial insects either. The substances contained within it are natural and completely safe as an antifungal agent and natural pesticide, and due to its medicinal properties, extracts from various parts of the plant can be found in many supplements and cosmetics. Therefore, there is no risk that neem oil will harm household members or people in the garden.
How to Clean Leaves with Neem Oil?
Dust accumulating on the leaves of potted plants not only looks unsightly but also negatively affects the plants by hindering gas exchange. You can, of course, clean the leaves with water, but this often leaves white spots and residue. It is much better to do this with neem oil, which will polish the leaves while also protecting the plant from pests and fungal diseases, reducing the risk of their development.
Plants That Can Be Cleaned and Polished with Neem Oil Neem oil works well for polishing plants such as peace lilies, monstera, philodendron, snake plants, or ZZ plants.
Timing and Frequency of Use
To clean plants with neem oil, simply spray the leaves with its solution and wipe them with a cloth, or do not spray and instead soak the cloth in the solution before wiping the leaves.
Neem oil is very beneficial for plants but should be used in moderation. Spraying the leaves with the oil once every 2-3 weeks is sufficient.
How Does Neem Oil Affect Pests?
Neem oil works on aphids, spider mites, scale insects, whiteflies, mealybugs, and thrips.
It acts systemically. This means that the compounds in neem oil are absorbed by the plant's leaves and distributed throughout the plant along with its sap. Pests ingest it as they feed on various parts of the plant. Once inside the insects, it blocks their ability to feed, protecting the plant. As a result, the pest population gradually decreases until it eventually dies off completely.
The oil also works mechanically. If there are eggs or other dormant forms of pests on the leaves of your plants, neem oil coats them and blocks their access to air – simply put, the pests suffocate due to a lack of oxygen.
Neem Oil – Pros and Cons
Neem oil has many advantages but also some drawbacks. The positives include:
- Repels pests
- Eliminates pests
- Improves plant condition and appearance
- Easy to use
- 100% natural and safe
- An inexpensive and eco-friendly method of plant protection
The drawbacks of using neem oil include:
- Its specific smell, which may be off-putting to some
- Can only be used on healthy plants
- Should not be used in the garden at temperatures above 75°F, as it can lead to leaf burn