What is neem oil?

#1 · 23rd May 2023, 2:16 pm

Hi Garden Ninja Lee!

I've been told to use neem oil to stop mites eating my house plants and also for apids on my roses by a few of my gardener friends, but I have no idea what it is? Have you used neem oil and does it work to stop plant pests and nasties?!

Jonny

#2 · 23rd May 2023, 2:27 pm

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 23rd May 2023, 2:27 pm
Hi @jonnny76

Thanks for getting in touch about neem oil and gardening. It doesn't seem to have suddenly hit the big time with being a one size fits all plant problem fixer. But what is neem oil? Let's take a look.

What is neem oil?

Neem oil is a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), which is native to the Indian subcontinent. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, agriculture, and pest control due to its various beneficial properties.

What's in neem oil that makes it effective with plants?

Neem oil contains several active compounds, including:

Azadirachtin

Nimbin

Salanin

All of which have insecticidal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. These properties make neem oil a popular natural remedy for controlling pests and diseases in plants as they can help prevent and kill off unwanted pests like white fly, scale insects and bugs that otherwise would eat and damage your plants.

In agriculture and gardening, neem oil is commonly used as a biopesticide and insecticide.

It acts as a repellent, growth regulator, and feeding deterrent for a wide range of pests, including aphids, mites, whiteflies, caterpillars, and beetles.

How does neem oil kill pests?

Neem oil disrupts the insect's hormonal balance, inhibits their ability to feed and moult. This means they starve which ultimately leads to their death. It is considered to be a relatively safe and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides such as bug sprays.

Can neem oil be used for fungal plant issues?

Neem oil is also used to control fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, black spot, rust, and leaf spot. It suppresses the growth of fungal pathogens and prevents them from spreading on plant surfaces.

When using neem oil, it is important to follow the instructions on the product label, as concentrations and application methods may vary depending on the intended use. Neem oil is typically diluted in water and sprayed onto plants, covering both the upper and lower leaf surfaces.

It is important to note that neem oil can be harmful to beneficial insects, such as bees, if applied when they are actively foraging, so it is advisable to apply it during non-flowering periods or when bees are less active. Sometimes feeding plants is a better alternative to keeping them healthy than spraying neem oil.

https://youtu.be/5BhGtCjT2TQ

It's worth mentioning that neem oil has a strong, distinctive odour that some people find unpleasant. However, its effectiveness and versatility have made it a popular choice for organic and eco-friendly pest and disease control in both agricultural and horticultural settings.

Hope that helps!

Lee

Hi @jonnny76

Thanks for getting in touch about neem oil and gardening. It doesn't seem to have suddenly hit the big time with being a one size fits all plant problem fixer. But what is neem oil? Let's take a look.

What is neem oil?

Neem oil is a vegetable oil derived from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), which is native to the Indian subcontinent. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, agriculture, and pest control due to its various beneficial properties.

What's in neem oil that makes it effective with plants?

Neem oil contains several active compounds, including:

Azadirachtin
Nimbin
Salanin

All of which have insecticidal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. These properties make neem oil a popular natural remedy for controlling pests and diseases in plants as they can help prevent and kill off unwanted pests like white fly, scale insects and bugs that otherwise would eat and damage your plants.

In agriculture and gardening, neem oil is commonly used as a biopesticide and insecticide.

It acts as a repellent, growth regulator, and feeding deterrent for a wide range of pests, including aphids, mites, whiteflies, caterpillars, and beetles.

How does neem oil kill pests?

Neem oil disrupts the insect's hormonal balance, inhibits their ability to feed and moult. This means they starve which ultimately leads to their death. It is considered to be a relatively safe and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides such as bug sprays.

Can neem oil be used for fungal plant issues?

Neem oil is also used to control fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, black spot, rust, and leaf spot. It suppresses the growth of fungal pathogens and prevents them from spreading on plant surfaces.

When using neem oil, it is important to follow the instructions on the product label, as concentrations and application methods may vary depending on the intended use. Neem oil is typically diluted in water and sprayed onto plants, covering both the upper and lower leaf surfaces.

It is important to note that neem oil can be harmful to beneficial insects, such as bees, if applied when they are actively foraging, so it is advisable to apply it during non-flowering periods or when bees are less active. Sometimes feeding plants is a better alternative to keeping them healthy than spraying neem oil.

It's worth mentioning that neem oil has a strong, distinctive odour that some people find unpleasant. However, its effectiveness and versatility have made it a popular choice for organic and eco-friendly pest and disease control in both agricultural and horticultural settings.

Hope that helps!

Lee