Last week, I visited my ancestral home for a short, sweet trip. I loved seeing my childhood place again—the swings, the attic, all those memories came flooding back. But then, I entered the backyard and my heart sank. Most of my favorite trees & plants had mealy bugs, fungus, mites and what not! I started to freak out and called Mr. Kotwal, our plant expert, for help. And that’s when he suggested using neem oil for plants!
“Neem oil for plants?” my gardener exclaimed. “Won’t it burn the leaves?” “Won’t it smell bad?” he had endless questions! But Mr. Kotwal patiently filled him in on all the details—the benefits, how to use it, the right brands, and everything we needed to know. So, I thought I’d share what I learned in this blog for anyone else who might be in the same boat!
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Top Insights
- Apart from repelling pests & fungus, neem oil helps boost the soil’s water carrying capacity, microbes, nitrogen & phosphorus effectively.
- You can get cold-pressed neem oil for plants for ₹500 and ₹1,500 per liter as per the brand & concentration.
- You can expect about 40 – 60% reduction in pest infestations and a 10 – 15% increase in the fruits & flowers by using neem oil regularly.
- Top Insights
- What is Neem Oil for Plants?
- Why Should You Use Neem Oil for Plants?
- Is Neem Oil Better Than Chemical or Industrial Grade Pesticides?
- How to Use Neem Oil for Plants?
- What Type of Bugs Does Neem Oil Repel?
- 5 Expert Tips to Use Neem Oil for Plants Correctly
- Which is the Best Time to Apply Neem Oil for Plants?
- Is Cold-Pressed Neem Oil Safe for All Types of Plants?
- Which Neem Oil for Plants is the Best in India?
- What Can You Expect by Using Neem Oil for Plants Regularly?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
What is Neem Oil for Plants?
Well, it’s quite a no-brainer. But, Mr. Piyush Kotwal, our plant expert & advisor told us that it’s a natural, plant-based oil extracted from the neem or Azadirachta indica seeds. It’s sticky, just like other oils, thick, golden yellow to dark brown & quite pungent.
Well, actually, this oil contains an active compound – azadirachtin. It basically tastes like a mix of garlic & sulfur. Yuck, I know! But then, it does stop insect breeding, fungus & mildew immediately. Plus, it also resists aphids, spider mites & whitefly attacks, eventually saving your plants & flowers from damage. That’s why a lot of experts suggest using it as a natural pesticide.
Mr. Kotwal also mentioned that you can find azadirachtin in chinaberry seeds too, but neem oil is usually the cheaper option. It’s antibacterial and even helps improve your soil texture!
Fun Fact: Do you know that Indians lovingly call neem as the ‘Village Pharmacy?’ And well, “Sarva Roga Nirvani,” i.e. cure of all ailments too, due to its rich antibacterial and antioxidant properties. In fact, some even use neem twigs as a toothbrush!
Why Should You Use Neem Oil for Plants?
Well, we know how literally everyone knows that neem oil keeps pests away. But today, let’s dig in a bit deeper & learn some more benefits of neem oil for plants straight from an expert:
“ You know, neem oil is a great solution to all soil-borne pests. It’ll keep the mealy bugs, mites & soil fungus at bay. But for that, you’ll have to follow the following steps”
- Always use a pure, cold-pressed neem oil concentrate to retain its nutrients & antibacterial properties.
- Remember that neem oil & water don’t mix well. So, always use a pinch of dish or insecticidal soap as the emulsifier.
- Avoid applying neem oil to any drooped, stressed, overwatered or underwatered plants rightly.
Now that you know some tips to use neem oil for plants, let’s jump onto the benefits directly:
- The OG Insecticide: Neem oil as you all know combats common soil pests – aphids, mites & mealy bugs right at larvae stage itself. Plus, it also obstructs their breeding, feeding, egg laying & eventually saves your blooms.
- Bye-Bye Fungus: So, neem oil for plants treats fungal infections like rust, mildew & stuff, especially when used as a soil drench. Thus, it improves the overall bloom quality, reduces water rot & promotes good soil pH.
- The Earth Hug: Mr. Kotwal told us that pure neem oil is absolutely safe for animals, birds, soil bacteria, earth worms & microbes. So, it won’t interfere with your soil structure like most chemical pesticides do.
- The Double Duty: Not only does neem oil repel pests and mold, but it also helps restore nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the soil. This means better soil texture and happy, aerated roots!
- The Harvest Buddy: See, a little neem oil is good for you and won’t upset your stomach. So, you can use it to repel pests right till the harvest time. Plus, you don’t even need to wash or rinse it; its smell will go away in 2–3 days.
- The Water Saviour: Last but not the least, neem oil gradually boosts the soil’s moisture & water holding capacity. Thus, it reduces evaporation in summer and keeps plants fresh in the long run.
Is Neem Oil Better Than Chemical or Industrial Grade Pesticides?
Well, neem oil for plants is definitely better than chemical pesticides if you use it regularly & cautiously. See, neem oil is natural; it doesn’t harm your plants, soil pH & texture like most other pesticides. Like, it won’t contribute to soil pollution at all! Yes, it won’t provide rapid pest control, but you’ll see some reduction in 2–3 uses.
Price wise, it’s indeed expensive than the chemical ones. Roughly by 2x. But honestly, we still think it’s worth it for the following reasons:
| Parameter | Neem Oil | Chemical Pesticides |
| Working Principle | Softer: Interrupts with the insect’s hormones & reduces breeding & infestation on the plant | Harsh: Neurotoxic; causes immediate paralysis & kills the insect |
| Effectiveness | Needs 2–3 applications for visible results, but doesn’t kill the plant | Immediate results just in 2–3 hours, but might harm the plant |
| Environmental impact | Biodegradable & soil-friendly | Can lead to environmental pollution – especially soil & water |
| Toxicity | Low toxicity to animals & pests; almost edible | Might cause skin, breathing & dizziness issues in humans & pets |
| Residue | Doesn’t leave any residue on plants. In fact, it eventually boosts the leaf & flower shine | Leaves significant chemical residues; might whiten or discolor leaves & flowers |
How to Use Neem Oil for Plants?
Using neem oil for plants is relatively easy. You can either use it as a complete soil drench or mix it with soap and spray it on. Here are the exact details:
- Soil Drench: Simply take a gallon of water, add 2 tbsps of cold-pressed neem oil, a bit of soapnut powder or dish soap as the emulsifier and water your plants. It’s just that Mr. Kotwal suggests using 100% cold-pressed or heat-derived oil for more efficacy. Also, use it as a drench only if you see any fungus or pests on the soil.
- Foliar Spray: Well, just as we made the soil drench liquid above, you’ll have to start by mixing 1 gallon water & over ½ tbsp soap. Just this time, add some curry leaves for an extra dose of vitamins & flavonoids. Then simply pour in 2–3 spoons of neem oil, shake it a bit & spray it on your plants.
Quick Tip: Always coat the leaves fully in spray. This way, the active ingredients have full contact with the pests & repel them easily.
What Type of Bugs Does Neem Oil Repel?
Well, neem oil isn’t that harsh on plants & Mother nature. So, one, it doesn’t kill any larvae or worms or pests directly. And two, it doesn’t work with hard-bodied insects like beetles & bees. So, does neem oil for plants actually work on anything?
Well yes! Neem oil works wonders on soft bodies insects like aphids, mites, mealy bugs & white flies. It might not knock them out in one go, but if you use it a couple of times, you can expect to see more than an 80% drop in those little critters. That’s because neem oil attacks the larvae of these bugs directly and prevents them from reaching the pupa stage.
Personally, I’ve also found a visible reduction in caterpillars & soil worms, especially around my hibiscus plant. Mr. Kotwal also told us that neem oil repels over 170 garden pests including ants, hoppers, squash bugs, mites & cottage worms. But, it might eventually become a bit toxic for termites & caterpillars. Hence, do use it in dilution if you want to create a butterfly garden.
Editor’s Note: Remember that neem oil is more of a prevention than a fix. If your plant’s leaves are covered with over 75% fungus, you’ll still need to grab some industrial insecticides and fungicides to really tackle the problem.
5 Expert Tips to Use Neem Oil for Plants Correctly
- Always test the neem oil on a single plant before spraying it on your entire garden. This way, you can map the efficacy, smell & adverse effects if any, beforehand.
- Use the neem oil spray at least once a week for optimal efficacy & pest control
- Avoid spraying neem oil in extreme climate weathers – both during snow or heat waves. Also, don’t spray it in direct sunlight, or you may burn all your plants.
- Always store your neem oil in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency & active compound formulations over time.
- Avoid applying neem oil on wet or damaged leaves, as it might cause phytotoxicity and harm your plants in the long run.
Which is the Best Time to Apply Neem Oil for Plants?
Mr. Kotwal suggests that the best time to apply neem oil for plants is usually early morning or evening—like before 9 AM or after 8 PM. This is because neem oil burns the leaves a bit & curls their edges & nodes in direct sunlight. Also, it’s best to reapply it after every 7–10 days for maximum efficacy.
Besides, if your plants are already a bit stressed—like if they’re overwatered, underwatered, or just moved to a new pot—it’s better to skip the neem oil for now. And definitely avoid spraying it on new blooms and seedlings; they’ll get foliage burn instantly.
And finally, you can use neem oil for plants all year round, except when there’s a heat wave or snow. That is don’t spray it above 90°F/32°C or below sub-zero temperatures at all costs.
Quick Tip: Skip the neem oil if rain is expected within the next 24 hours, as it will wash away the oil and reduce its effectiveness.
Is Cold-Pressed Neem Oil Safe for All Types of Plants?
Neem oil is usually safe for most indoor & outdoor plants, trees & creepers when diluted in a 1:10 ratio. The concentrated one, however, might cause leaf burn & curling when applied in heat. So, it’s a good idea to do a little patch test before going all out and spraying it on your entire garden.
However, Mr. Kotwal told us that there still are some species that are extremely sensitive to neem-oil treatments. Some of them include:
 Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-a-green-plant-7342581/ |  Picture by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-green-succulent-plant-4507747/ |  Photo by Ron Lach : https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-touching-venus-flytrap-9770437/ |
| Boston Ferns | Succulents & Cacti | Carnivorous Pitcher & Venus Fly trap Plants |
Which Neem Oil for Plants is the Best in India?
In India, most people still trust local, government-approved brands or the ‘Lakdi Ghana’ oils for their quality & viscosity. However, branded products like ‘Ugaoo Neem Concentrate,’ ‘Green Planet Neem Oil,’ or ‘Quick Greens Plant Guard,’ are equally popular too. I personally love the ‘Quick Greens’ one btw. It’s really cheap, cold-pressed & sticks to the plant for a longer time.
Just remember to flip the bottle & check the label for the ‘100% organic’ or ‘cold-pressed’ certification. Also check the base dor any additives or preservatives before purchase. And finally, check the manufacturing & expiry dates & dilution ratios before spraying it onto your plants.
What Can You Expect by Using Neem Oil for Plants Regularly?
You know, I’ve been making & using neem oil based foliar sprays for over a year now! So yes, I’ve obviously noticed over 60% reduction in pests & about 70% decline in the soil fungus. But that’s not all! Me & Mr. Kotwal have prepared a detailed results trajectory for your reference:
- Over 40 – 60% reduction in pest infestation, breeding & powdery mildew / black spot attacks.
- An increase of over 20% in the soil microbes & earthworm activities. So, we observed better nutrient cycling & a lush foliage in the long run.
- Around 10 – 15% increase in the flowers & fruits
- Improved soil nutrient cycling, say by 20 – 30%, resulting in better soil structure & plant health.
- Over 20% more plant vigor, i.e. more hardiness, pollination & longevity.
Note: We’ve analyzed the above results after weekly neem oil spraying for over 2 months on Ixora, Hibiscus, Plumeria, Curry leaf, Betel leaf, Pentas & Rose plants. Individual results may vary as per the concentration, spraying & coverage.
FAQs
Conclusion
So now that you know all about using neem oil for plants, we hope that mealy bugs, pests & aphids will no longer trouble you! Just remember to dilute the oil before using & spray it early morning or late evening to avoid leaf burn. Also, try to emulsify it with a bit of dish soap before use. Last, but not the least, repeat the spray once in 7–15 days for optimal efficacy.
Now, neem oil will certainly boost your plant’s fruits & flower bearing capacity by 10 – 20%. But then, you can also use any of the 10 best fertilizers for plants for more nutrients!
About Me
Ashish Kale
Ashish Kale, here, is your ultimate gardening buddy from archwhispers.com. He’s a passionate botanist & a full-time gardener who loves everything about plants-from the tiniest seeds and sprouts to tackling various plant diseases & pests. He’s here to share all his favorite gardening tips, tricks for germination, and plant care advice with a touch of creative writing & SEO.
