Have you heard of using Neem oil for your plants? You probably know that it works as a great insecticide – but do you know how to use Neem oil spray on houseplants?
Well, luckily for you, we are here to tell you all about this fabulous, all natural spray and how you can use it on your houseplants to support their health and growth. It is easy to source, cheap – and totally natural!
What You'll Learn Today
How To Use Neem Oil Spray On Houseplants?
Neem oil is a natural product that is made from a plant (the Neem tree, also known as Azadirachta indica, in case you were wondering!)
It won’t do any harm to any of your plants – but you should still do a little leaf test to make sure that it agrees with your plants before you drench the whole thing.
- Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons of concentrated neem oil with 1 teaspoon of gentle liquid soap and 4 cups of lukewarm water.
- Place all the ingredients into a spray bottle, then shake it well to combine them together.
- Spray the mixture onto any houseplant that is suffering with a bug infestation, and watch them start to disappear
- Repeat the application at least once a week, for the best results. Consistency is key with this type of pesticide.
- Neem has quite a strong smell that some people find offensive, so it’s best to use it sparingly at first.
- It won’t kill bugs and critters instantly, so you won’t notice results straight away, but it will eventually deal with the problem so that your plants will become pest free.
- Another advantage to neem oil is that it specifically targets the plant-eating critters, meaning that you can use it safely outside and in areas where you don’t want to harm pollinators, for example.
- Avoid spraying your plants in direct sunlight, as the neem oil can actually scorch the leaves if it is allowed to “cook” in the hottest and brightest part of the day.
If you want to know more about neem, check out this informative article.
Where Do You Spray Neem Oil On Houseplants?
With some insecticidal sprays, you have to watch out where you spray it – avoid flowers or buds; try not to spray new growth – the list goes on!
With neem spray, you can liberally coat your plant with it, safe in the knowledge that it will not do it any damage at all.
Because neem oil is made from a plant, it is safe to use on plants. Any and all parts of your plants can be coated with neem, with no issues whatsoever.
The best advice for spraying your plants with neem is to coat them from stem to stalk and all over every piece of the plant, until they are dripping.
It is a good idea to use gloves, and to spread out towels or cloths to protect the surroundings from the neem oil, which can stain.
Take care to spray the underside of the leaves too, as this is a great place for bugs to hide!
This little video will show you the best ways to use neem oil spray on your houseplants, along with some interesting information about neem itself:
How Often Can You Spray Neem Oil On Houseplants?
Because neem is a natural product, you can spray it on your plants regularly, safe in the knowledge that it won’t do your plants any harm.
However, you don’t want to overdo it!
About once a week is a good interval to spray your plants with neem oil; this will get rid of any bugs that are present at the time.
Be aware that you may have to increase your sprayings a little during times of increased infestation which will help kill the critters faster.
Repeated applications of neem oil are essential fro your plants to get the most benefit from the insecticide effects.
Unlike chemical sprays, neem will not kill the critters instantly – it takes a while for the effects to become noticeable.
Because of this, you will need to apply the neem oil repeatedly for it to take effect. Don’t worry about harming your plants – this natural remedy won’t do them any damage at all!
One small thing to bear in mind – neem oil is an oil, so you should take care when applying it to your plants on hot days.
If you spray neem oil on your plants in the summer, on a plant that is in direct sunlight, you can actually end up cooking the leaves.
What Plants Should You Not Use Neem Oil On?
Because it is an all natural product, you can use neem oil on any one of your plants. However, there are some that it won’t be as effective on.
Plants that have needles will not respond as well to the bug killing properties of neem, because the bugs can just crawl off and hide.
If your plant’s leaves are furry, you will also find that the neem won’t be as effective, as it won’t soak the entire leaf.
Neem works best on smooth leaved plants, because the oil will be able to cover the whole of the leaf, leaving the bugs with nowhere to hide.
Some garden plants won’t enjoy the effects of neem, and as many of us keep these herbs as houseplants they are worth a mention:
- Basil
- Coriander
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Thyme
Strongly scented plants, such as lavender, garlic, and some perfumed houseplants, do not actually need neem at all, because they already naturally repel bugs.
Final Thoughts
You won’t ever bother to use expensive chemical pesticides ever again, now that you know how to use Neem oil spray on houseplants!
It is a cheap, effective, and – best of all – totally natural way of deterring bugs and creepy crawlies from munching on your houseplants. You heard it here first! And if you’re looking for more advice, here’s my guide on clay pebbles and houseplants.
If my pets chew on a leaf that has Neem oil on it, will it harm them?
No. This product is listed as non toxic for dogs and cats. It also has a nasty bitter taste, so you may even find your dog or cat avoids it – a great solution for those whose pets chew on their plants!