Neem Oil: The Plant Parent’s Best Friend (And How to Use It)
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If you have houseplants, you will eventually meet their uninvited guests: pests. Whether it's spider mites, fungus gnats, or mealybugs, Neem Oil is one of the best natural weapons in your arsenal.
We occasionally stock our own "S&S Pre-Mixed Neem Spray," but whether you have one of our bottles or are looking to mix your own, here is everything you need to know about using this magic oil without hurting your leafy friends.
How to Use the Pre-Mixed Bottle
If you managed to snag one of our ready-to-go bottles, the hard work is done for you. However, there is a knack to using it:
- Shake it like a Polaroid picture: Oil and water separate naturally. You must shake the bottle vigorously before every single spray to ensure the oil is mixed through.
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The "Empty Bottle" Hack: When you think the bottle is finished, look closely—there is usually a film of oil clinging to the inside. Don't bin it yet!
- Fill the bottle with warm tap water.
- Add a tiny drop of washing up liquid.
- Shake wildly.
- Voila! You have a bonus "light" mixture perfect for a preventative wipe-down of your leaves.
The Golden Rules of Application
Neem oil is powerful, so you need to be careful.
- DO spray everywhere: Pests hide. Spray the tops and undersides of leaves, the stems, and even the topsoil.
- DO NOT spray in the sun: This is the most important rule. Oil on leaves acts like a magnifying glass. If you spray in direct sunlight, you will scorch your plant. Always apply in the evening or on a dull, cloudy day.
- DO be consistent: Neem oil works by disrupting the pest's hormones and life cycle, not by killing them instantly on contact. You may need to treat the plant once a week for a few weeks to break the cycle.
DIY: How to Make Your Own Mix
Ran out of our pre-mix? It is easy to make your own batch at home.
What you need:
- Cold-pressed Neem Oil (available online or at garden centres)
- Washing up liquid (acts as an emulsifier to mix the oil and water)
- Warm water
The Recipe: Mix 1 teaspoon of Neem Oil and 1/2 teaspoon of washing up liquid into 1 litre of warm water. Shake well and follow the steps above.
The Science Bit: Why Neem Actually Works
You might be wondering, "Is this just snake oil? Does it actually do anything, or does it just make my flat smell like a garlicky nut roast?"
The short answer is: Yes, it works. And the reason lies in a compound called Azadirachtin.
Here is the breakdown of why Neem is the heavyweight champion of organic pest control:
1. The "Peter Pan" Effect (Hormone Disruption)
This is the coolest (and creepiest) part. Azadirachtin is structurally similar to insect hormones—specifically the ones that tell a bug when to moult and grow up. When a pest eats a leaf coated in Neem, the Azadirachtin blocks their hormone system. It essentially traps them in their childhood stage. They can’t moult, they can’t become adults, and—most importantly—they can’t reproduce.
This is why we say Neem is a "long game." You aren't just killing the bugs you see; you are stopping the next generation from ever existing.
2. The "Appetite Suppressant" (Antifeedant)
Neem oil tastes absolutely terrible to insects. When they take a bite of your treated Monstera, the Azadirachtin makes them feel nauseous and stops their gut from working properly. They often stop eating entirely and eventually starve.
3. The Smother (Suffocation)
This is the physical part. Because it is an oil, it coats soft-bodied insects (like spider mites and aphids) and blocks their breathing holes (called spiracles). This suffocates them on contact. This is why the washing up liquid is so important in your mix—it helps the oil spread out and cover the bugs effectively.
Is there proof?
Absolutely. Neem has been used for centuries in India for everything from agriculture to medicine. Modern science backs this up: it is widely recognized in organic farming across the globe as a powerful bio-pesticide. Unlike synthetic poisons that bugs can build a resistance to, the complex chemical makeup of Neem makes it very hard for pests to become immune. It’s nature’s way of saying, "Get off my lawn."