Neem oil spray
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Neem oil with a little dish soap in warm water to coat plants against pests and fungus.
What You’ll Need
1 quart version
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) neem oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) gentle plant-safe liquid dish soap
- 1 quart (.9 l) warm water
1 gallon version
- 4 teaspoons (20 ml) neem oil
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) liquid dish soap
- 1 gallon (3.8 l) water
Equipment
- spray bottle
Directions
- Mix the neem oil and dish soap into the water; the soap helps the oil spread and cling.
- Shake the bottle often while you spray so it stays mixed.
- Cover every surface of the plant, since the oil works by smothering pests.
- Keep treated plants in the shade until the spray dries.
- Pick off bugs by hand as part of your routine.
Notes
Spray weekly to biweekly; reapply after watering or rain. Make a fresh batch every time (some sources say it breaks down after eight hours, faster when warm).
Safety: Don’t apply at 85° F (29° C) or warmer or in direct sun (burns tissue). Avoid strong detergents and ammonia-based cleaners. Some orchid flowers (Miltonia, Masdevallia) may be sensitive. Neem can harm bees on direct contact, so spray in the evening when bees aren’t foraging and avoid open flowers. Test on a leaf first. Keep away from pets and kids; isopropyl alcohol is flammable.