Treating Succulents With Neem Oil (Guide)

It is an excellent method for using natural materials in your garden without adding harsh chemicals. An excellent pest control product is neem oil for plants. It can eradicate all disease-transmitting insects from your garden while not affecting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.

It is crucial to avoid using it at concentrations that are too high for the plant to handle. To administer correctly, this article will show you the light of proper knowledge to use neem oil for succulents and cacti. For their better health and growth, read to nail it with Neem.

Can You Use Neem Oil On Succulents?

Neem trees, or Azadirachta Indica Sp., are the source of the oil. Tropical climates are where the cultivar is most common. People squeeze the plant’s seeds and fruits together to obtain neem oil. On the other hand, succulents belong to a class of plants that include a diverse array of species from all over the world. This word refers to any plant with water storage in its stem or leaves. 

The habitat of a succulent is inherently dry, with extended droughts between waterings. So many gardeners often do without water. However, succulents not getting enough water may appear wrinkled or shriveled. Therefore, you must routinely water them. Overwatering eventually results in wet soil and abundant moisture that bugs enjoy.

One of the most challenging issues gardeners encounter with controlling pests in succulents is that succulents are pretty delicate. Many chemical and organic insecticides will likely harm the leaves if used at total dosage.

In this case, the best option is neem oil for plants such as succulents. Neem oil is both mild and powerful. Also, because it is organic, it is perfect for succulents, mostly grown inside. Chemical pesticides can be poisonous, while Neem poses no such risks because it is natural. So, you can use Neem oil spray for succulents.

Is Neem Oil Good for Succulents?

Being not processed in a chemical system, Neem oil derived from just the neem tree seeds is one of the best organic means to fend off most insects. For most succulent plants, neem oil is a pesticide and a fungicide.

Because it is organic, its use has less impact on the surrounding ecosystem. It provides beneficial chemical ingredients for plant health in addition to slowing the production of eggs for bugs and insects.

It produces a quick and efficient recovery against subjecting the plant to various chemical treatments from other toxic pesticides. It also treats typical garden pests such as Japanese beetles, snails, caterpillars, ants, and even mosquitos.

Before treating succulents with neem oil, you must know the succulent killer insects and their negative symptoms. Careful analysis will enable better application and prove to be beneficial. The succulent swallowers are common as: 

  • Fungus gnats
  • Scale
  • Spider mites
  • Mealybugs 
  • Whiteflies
  • Aphids
  • Thrips
  • Whiteflies

So, One of the best ways to combat pesky pests and insects on your succulents is to use neem oil aptly. Not only does it smother the bugs on the succulents, but it also impedes their ability to produce even more eggs without harming the surroundings.

It is naturally safe around birds, mammals, and pollinators like bees. However, you must always prepare neem oil correctly and apply it in the correct dosage at the right time. Proper dilution is necessary for that. Only then will the benefits of neem oil for succulents be available. So definitely, neem oil is good for succulent plants.

Using Neem Oil On Succulents: Pros & Cons

Upsides are: 

  • Neem oil is an efficient pest control remedy against hovering and crawling insects. The chemical-free neem oil interferes with insects life cycle making them unfit to reproduce and helping decrease their population. As the arranged list below, neem oil’s advantages are eye-catching for any garden lover. 
  • It Prevents the spread of plant diseases.
  • It is a Natural, organic formula with no severe chemical side effects on the plants.
  • It disrupts the growth and infestation of pests at each stage of development.
  • It does not degrade soil quality.
  • It is safe in the milieu and innocuous to pets and wildlife.
  • It is safe to plant until the day of harvest. 
  • It cures the affected plant. 
  • With bitterness, it disrupts the pests’ hormone regulatory system and their life cycle. 
  • It hinders the spread of insects by attacking their larvae.
  • It checks insects such as gnats from laying eggs on the leaves of the succulents.
  • It helps thwart succulent fungi such as Grey Mold, Black Sooty Mold, Leaf Spots, etc.
  • Unlike other pesticides, it preys only on pests and evil insects and not the most beneficial insects. Thus, it helps in plant growth.

Downsides are:

  • Neem oil suffocates soft-shelled insects that produce honeydew.
  • Many succulent species are sensitive to pesticides and may develop severe burns when treated improperly.
  • It begins degrading as soon as it is mixed with water.
  • The quality of pre-mixed neem spray on succulents is heavily degraded by the time you receive it.
  • Not only does Neem oil break down when exposed to UV rays, but most succulents will also suffer severe leaf burns if the leaves get wet while exposed to the midday sun.
  • Azadirachtin can cause severe burns and do far more harm than benefit. 
  • Neem with other solutions, such as isopropyl alcohol, can harm excessively.

How to Use Neem Oil On Succulents?

When using neem oil, apply a small amount on the affected area first. After 24 hours, notice how effective it is without any damage. Only then use it to the fullest. Alternatively, use more sparingly by diluting. As you have no control over the contents, always use a certified brand or make it yourself.

The best is to use homemade Neem oil sprays, and reserve raw Neem for soil soaks. However, neem oil damage succulents if not used in the right amount. So, to make you an expert in neem oil, follow special techniques for using neem oil for succulents.

Neem Foliar Spray:

The most common practice of neem treatment is Neem foliar spray. Such a clarified hydrophobic neem oil form has most of the Azadirachtin removed, with only between 0.5% to 3% Azadirachtin remaining. Always target 1% or lower when spraying with sensitive plants unless the infestation does not indicate signs of detriment after two weeks of use. 

Neem Oil as a Fungicide:

Mix 2 tablespoons of neem oil with two tablespoons of olive oil or almond oil, 1 gallon of water, one tablespoon of peppermint oil, and one tablespoon of rosemary oil. The oil works by preventing the spread of new spores, so there are fewer for your plant to struggle with.

After application, the effect can last up to four months. Using neem oil for scales on succulents is very popular. To prevent infestations of hazardous molds or mildew in your plants due to its natural ability to eliminate fungus, mold, and mites, Neem oil rocks.

To Create Neem Pesticide:

If the neem oil is used for pest control, it must be mixed with a one teaspoonful liquid dish wash and 2 quarts of water. Azadirachtin is effective against soil-dweller pests and pathogenic organisms, but it does not harm nature-friendly fauna like earthworms or microbes.

When used as just a drench upon the soil, the plant can absorb the active ingredient named Azadirachtin, which is then transported throughout the plant via its vascular system. The succulents can now ward off pests inside and outside the soil. Additionally, having the solution of neem oil directly in the soil would act as a stronger shield and repellant for any hidden insects.

Also, NEVER do these:

  • Using a commercial pre-mixed neem spray onto the succulents.
  • Spraying plants in full sun do not burn your adorable plants.
  • Using near waterbodies, Azadirachtin is dangerous to aquatic life, 
  • applying an entire application without the plant’s allergy or over-sensitivity test.
  • Using raw neem oil as a foliar spray on sensitive plants.
  • Randomly mixing Neem with other solutions, use an excellent insecticidal soap as the emulsifying agent.

Using Neem Oil for Mealy Bugs On Succulents

A male mealybug resembles a little fly with a long waxy tail. They have wings and exist to fertilize the female, who will subsequently deposit eggs. Mealybugs spread from plant to plant from another host near your yard. 

Mealybugs leave little indications on plants, such as white streaks on stems and leaves, and can frequently be protected by a white, cotton-like sack. Curled leaves and deformed development also indicate mealybug presence. Mealybugs can also infest a home. Young mealybugs are rapid crawlers, but mature males can fly and fit through openings in windows and doors. 

Azadirachtin-based AzaMax can be used as a broad-spectrum pest control agent from neem oil. Alternatively, add 1 in general. Try applying neem oil on your mealybug-infested succulent plant at night, or when the sun’s heat is dim. this Neem Oil is pretty intense!

Using Neem Oil for Powdery Mildew On Succulents

A surface fungus example is powdery mildew. Powdery mildew typically develops when the soil is wet, or water sits on your succulent’s leaves for too long.

Add one teaspoon of mild, insecticidal, or pure castile soap to 1 quart water, and whisk to emulsify. Then, mix well after adding one teaspoon of clarified Neem. Spray your plants liberally with the mix.

Repeat the action every other day for the next two weeks or until the infestation is disappeared. To protect beneficial insects and reduce the danger of sunburn, you should only spray in the dark or morning.

When it comes in contact with the fungus, this Neem spray effectively kills it. Treating a fungal infection takes time and effort, according to the degree of damage.

Conclusion

Remember, excess of anything, without any doubt, is dangerous. It is only effective when used correctly. If you are a succulent fan, neem oil is a must-have asset for your ultimate succulent plant care.

While pests, insects, and fungi can enhance much suffering to your beloved succulents, neem oil is the ultimate tonic if and only if you know how to use neem oil for succulents in a controlled manner. Just try to use it sparingly.

So, next time when your succulent is giving enough signs of insect infestation or seeing some crawling creatures on leaves and in the surroundings, give Neem oil plant care the topmost priority. It has no side effects and, above all, is genuinely environment-friendly.

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