Can we talk about whether neem oil is actually worth the hype or just a sticky mess?

I was totally skeptical of neem oil for dealing with aphids on my tomatoes, but after three applications last July it actually cleared them up. On the other hand, a buddy in Seattle swears it killed his ferns and says soap spray works way better. What's your experience, anyone got a hard case where neem oil either saved or wrecked your plants?

2 comments

2 Comments

logan7051mo ago

Has anyone else had the issue where neem oil just won't mix right no matter how much soap you use? I used to be pretty against it, thought it was just a greasy waste of time after seeing my mom's houseplants get all coated and sad. But last year I tried it on my pepper plants that had spider mites bad, like webs all over the leaves. I did two sprays a week apart and it actually worked, no more webs or bugs. Now I'm on the fence, it's still a hassle to mix but it saved my peppers when nothing else did.

thomas.tyler1mo ago

no more webs or bugs" is exactly why I still mess with neem oil honestly. You're right though, the mixing part is a pain in the ass. I've found that warming the water up a bit helps it emulsify better before adding the soap. Let it sit for like five minutes after you shake it too. I used to give up on it but now I keep a small bottle pre-mixed in my garage for emergencies. It's not perfect but it's cheap and it works when other stuff doesn't.