Neem oil is an all-natural plant extract used for centuries to keep your garden healthy.
If you’ve ever had a problem with pests on your succulents, you may have considered using neem oil.
Neem oil is a natural and effective way to get rid of pests, and it’s also safe for use on succulents.
It can be added to the soil, leaves, and stems of your succulents and sprayed on the leaves. You can even use neem oil to control pests like aphids and spider mites.
This article will take a look at some common questions about using neem oil on succulents so that you can make sure you’re doing it correctly! we’ll show you how to use neem oil on succulents, and we’ll also give you some tips on how to keep your succulents healthy and pests-free.
Table of Contents
Can You Use Neem Oil on Succulents?
Neem oil is a natural product that can control pests on your succulents.
However, it’s important to remember that it’s not a pesticide and will not kill the bugs directly.
If you use neem oil properly, you should be able to keep most of the pests off your plants without using harsh chemicals or pesticides.
Neem oil is safe for humans and animals—even cats or dogs will be fine around this product if they eat part of your plant treated with neem oil!
How Does Neem Oil Work?
Neem oil is a natural insecticide and fungicide that kills insects by disrupting their nervous system. It also has antibacterial properties, making it an excellent choice for succulents.
Neem oil comes from the seeds of neem trees native to India. The tree produces large fruits with hard seeds that can be crushed into powder or pressed into oil.
The powder works as an insecticidal soap, while the oil protects against disease-causing fungi and bacteria in plants.
Using Neem Oil on Soil
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that is safe for humans and pets. Neem oil has been used to control pests and bugs since ancient times.
The oil works by disrupting the reproductive cycle of problems, preventing them from reproducing. This prevents an infestation and keeps your succulents healthy!
Neem oil can be applied directly to soil, leaves, stems—you name it! You can even use neem oil on plants that are not succulents if you wish (it’s non-toxic).
Using Neem Oil on Leaves
Neem oil is a natural insect repellent that can be used on the leaves of your succulents.
It’s also a great way to protect against fungus and other fungal diseases, which are common in succulents.
Applying neem oil to the leaves of any plant will help keep it healthier and more pest-free.
There are several ways you can use neem oil on your plants:
- Spray the solution onto their roots, then water thoroughly.
- Brush it directly onto their stems and leaves (this method works best for larger plants like cacti).
A Step-by-step Guide on How to Use Neem Oil On Succulents
- Prepare your neem oil. Using a dropper, put about 10 drops of neem oil into the palm of your hand and rub them together until they are well mixed. The consistency should be like that of water, but not so much as to drip from your hand when you squeeze it.
- Spray the leaves and stems with the mixture using a spray bottle and cover all surfaces without leaving any new spots (this is where those little leafy dudes live). I like to leave this on for about 12-24 hours before I wash it off under running water and repeat it if necessary!
Common Mistakes When Using Neem Oil on Succulents
- Don’t use neem oil on succulents that have been infected with mealybugs. Neem oil can cause the mealybugs to release more of their honeydew, which will attract ants. The ants will feed on the honeydew and then protect the mealybugs by eating any predator that tries to eat them (including you!).
- Don’t use neem oil on succulents that have already been sprayed with pesticides. Suppose you’ve been using pesticides regularly in your garden. In that case, it’s important not to put neem oil onto your plants until after they’ve had time to recover from the previous treatment and pesticide damage has healed.
- Without testing, do not spray the entire plant at once. First, dab a small amount of the succulent. One leaf is sufficient, and you should wait to observe how it reacts. If the reaction is positive, the entire plant can be sprayed, and vice versa. Wait 24 hours to see how the sample reacts.
- Only use neem oil if you have already gotten rid of all pests on your plants! The smell of this stuff will repel the bugs, so they’ll abandon the ship before they become too comfortable living there. However, if there are still lots left behind, they might stay out of curiosity at first…and then start breeding again once things settle down enough for them again! So ensure there aren’t any bugs around before treating them with neem; otherwise, you may have worse problems than before!
- Applying pre-mixed neem spray: Since water dissolves neem gradually, commercialized pre-mixed neem oil is typically substantially deteriorated. When you spray the succulent, you may discover that none of the active components remains.
- Using neem oil with emulsifiers other than recommended: Neem oil interacts with solutions like alcohol. Alcohol kills bugs in succulents, and while combining the two hopping for increased effectiveness may be tempting, they will not get it. They are more likely to injure the succulent. Only use neem oil with a soap emulsifier.
- Spraying the plant in the sunlight: When UV light strikes it directly, they destroy neem oil. If water falls instantly on succulent leaves, the sun will sear them.
Can Neem Oil Hurt Succulents?
Neem oil is non-toxic to humans and animals, so it’s safe to use around your home. It won’t harm any insects, either.
If you have a succulent, you’re worried about harming, spray the oil on a small area of the plant before spraying it more liberally throughout its leaves and stems.
If you notice any adverse reactions after using neem oil on your succulents for several weeks, discontinue its use immediately!
How Often to Apply Neem Oil on Your Succulents
Neem oil is a safe product but can be harmful if misused. Make sure you follow the instructions on the label and use neem oil sparingly.
A good rule of thumb is to apply neem oil once every 2 weeks or so during summer months and once every month during cooler months (or whenever your plant needs it).
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve answered some of your questions and given you a better idea of what to expect when using neem oil on your succulents.
It can be used as an alternative to traditional pest control methods and help keep your plants safe from harmful insects or fungi.
However, it should be applied only sometimes or in small quantities if you want them to stay healthy for a long time.
Succulents are resilient, so don’t worry about harming them with this natural method; make sure you follow our guide carefully!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will Neem Oil kill my Succulents?
Neem oil can be toxic to succulents. Neem oil will repel bugs and mites from succulent plants, but it will eventually kill a plant if it remains on the plant for an extended time.
Do you Spray Neem Oil on Soil or Leaves?
Yes. Neem oil is a natural insecticide and fungicide. The oil is sprayed on the foliage of the plants. The neem oil breaks down quickly in the soil and is easily degradable.
It does not affect the soil, does not harm birds, insects, or mammals, and is not harmful to the environment.
Where do you Spray Neem Oil on Plants?
Neem oil can be applied one of two ways: Either by soil drenching or spraying.
- Soil drenching: The soil should be saturated with the oil, so use a soil drench bottle, filled with water and 80% neem oil.
- Spraying: When spraying, use 5% neem oil and 95% water. Neem oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it can prevent some diseases.
Do I need to dilute neem oil before spraying it on the cactus?
Neem oil is a non-toxic, organic pesticide that is perfectly safe for use around children and pets. There is no need to dilute neem oil, so be sure to add 1-2 tablespoons per 30 gallons of water.
Wrap Up
To summarize, Neem oil helps a variety of plants to thrive. Neem oil kills weeds, insects, and fungi, and keeps plants healthy. It prevents fungal and bacterial infections and helps plants resist diseases.
Neem oil helps plants grow better, and helps them stay healthy. Use it today and your garden will be healthier than ever!