11 Best Neem Oils for Plants In 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

There are endless benefits to using neem oil for plants. For starters, it fights bacteria, fungi, pests, and disease, boosts plant health, and increases yields. It’s no surprise that neem oils are a gardener’s top choice for organic gardening.

There are many neem oils for plants in stores, and this often makes it confusing to purchase one based on your needs. This is why we have written this guide to narrow down your search and help you steer away from low-quality brands. By the end of this post, you’ll discover the 11 best neem oils for plants to add to your list.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Verdana USDA Neem Oil	Animals, humans, birds, and pet-friendly suitable for outdoor and indoor use Multipurpose	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Pure Petra Neem Oil	100% pure Multipurpose Rich in azadirachtin	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Milania Premium Organic Neem Oil	Versatile for plant, human, and pet use Natural antibacterial and fungicide Purest neem oil currently available	CHECK PRICE
		Bonide Neem Oil Insecticide	Perfect for heavy pest infestation Effective for stopping powdery mildew OMRI certified	CHECK PRICE
		Plantonix Organic Neem Oil	Contains no harmful ingredients Easy to use Cost-friendly	CHECK PRICE

The 11 Best Neem Oils for Plants

1. Verdana USDA Neem Oil – Best Overall

If you want the best pure neem oil, Verdana should be your top choice. It is the most refined, multipurpose, organic neem oil for plants, pets, and skin.

Verdana originates from India, the number one producer of neem oil globally. Unlike its competitors, it includes instructions for use on pets and skincare. Apart from maintaining your plants, you can use Verdana to treat pet skin issues like ticks and fleas and use it to smoothen skin.

When using it for plants, dissolve it in water and gentle soap. This will ensure it effectively manages cucumber beetles, spider mites, mosquitoes, and biting flies.

This oil safeguards your plants but, take caution when spraying because the excess will blacken the leaves and stems of your plants.

Protip: Never combine this neem oil with water only without soap. You must add a few teaspoons of dish soap—the emulsifier—to the water.

2. Pure Petra Neem Oil – Best Value

If you want a neem oil that gives you the best value for your money, Pure Petra Neem Oil has you covered. It comes at a friendly price and delivers as expected.

Pure Petra Neem oil is a multipurpose oil that protects your plants against fungus and pests. It is also suitable for use on your skin and is available in 8 oz and 32 oz sizes with a high concentration of azadirachtin and a strong, pungent smell. You’ll definitely love Pure Neem oil’s friendly price and versatility (you can use it indoors or outdoors).

This Neem oil has OMRI and USDA product certifications, proving its authenticity. Pure Neem can last up to one year, and the manufacturer suggests storing it in the fridge to increase its shelf life.

Its major setback is its packaging which is difficult to remove. You’ll have to use a tool to rip it open.

3. Milania Premium Organic Neem Oil – Premium Choice

Milania is a gardener’s premium choice, thanks to its pure neem oil content that helps it keep your leaves clean and suppresses the growth of bacteria. Milania’s Neem oil is entirely natural (produced from cold-pressed fresh neem seeds) and free from hexane. As such, it stands out as the purest premium neem oil on the market. Since the oil is non-GMO and gluten-free, it contains zero preservatives.

Milania Premium Neem Oil is the ideal option if you’re seeking a multipurpose brand of neem oil that is safe for your skin and plants. Since it is manufactured purely from neem seed oil, it has an earthy aroma.

Milana neem oil is excellent for organic gardening because it contains 45% azadirachtin. As such, it is USDA organic.

This Neem Oil effectively treats fungus-related ailments like powdery mildew and gets rid of pests like aphids. Thanks to its antibacterial and fungicide properties, it also maintains the cleanliness of your leaves while keeping your plant healthy. Its only downside is that it only comes in small amounts.

4. Bonide Neem Oil Insecticide

Bonide has the highest concentration of neem oil in the market. It is ideally designed if you need a quick fix for your pest issue without needing to mix neem oil and water.

It contains refined neem oil and possesses a mild scent, unlike the original oil. You can use Bonide Neem Oil Insecticide as a spray for removing bug eggs. It is also perfect for treating mildew, mites, fungi, and mold.

What makes it unique is how it can eliminate insects at any level of development. Additionally, according to the company, it can destroy powdery mildew in 24 hours and is safe for human and animal use.

One thing you’ll love about Bonide Neem Oil Insecticide is that it performs efficiently, living up to its promises. And it is readily usable without blending in other emulsifiers.

5. Plantonix Organic Neem Oil

Plantonix Neem Bliss Oil comes from organic, cold-pressed components without synthetic additives. Due to its authenticity, it possesses a pungent smell. You can use it on your indoor and outdoor plants as well.

It is a product of OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) with rich organic ingredients and sticks to USDA policies. Plantonix Organic Neem Oil is also great at destroying mildew and black spots.

This oil comes from neem seed kernels which have a higher quantity of azadirachtin than oil from neem leaves. Azadirachtin suppresses insect growth while damaging their digestive system.

You can use Organic Neem Oil for your indoor (if you can handle the smell) and outdoor plants as long as you properly mix it before applying. 1.5 teaspoons of it provides you with a generous amount of insecticide, unlike pre-mixed neem oil, saving you money.

6. Deepthi Neem Oil for Plants

A 3-in-1 pesticide, fungicide, and miticide, Deepthi Neem Oil is a fully cold-pressed plant oil with plenty of azadirachtins. It is a practical, natural pesticide that manages powdery mildew and black spots.

Before spraying it on your plants, ensure you break down the neem oil through a mixture of water and soap.

It controls and kills aphids, beetles, grasshoppers, whiteflies, worms, and mites.

7. Pure Neem Organics Oil

Pure Neem Organic Oil is OMRI-listed and weighs 5 oz more than the standard 11 oz from other manufacturers. Due to its high concentration, you only need to use an ounce for each gallon of water.

Pure Neem Organics Oil will work best for you if you have a massive garden. If you want it to eliminate stubborn insects, mix it with soap and water. This is because soap combines neem oil and water thoroughly. You can use it for fruit trees, medicinal plants, flowering plants, decorative plants, and herbs and vegetables.

8. Dyna-Gro Neem Oil

Dyna-Gro Neem Oil is a new, reasonably priced brand with pure cold-pressed neem oil. This means that it contains no additives or silicone. Apart from being an insecticide, fungicide, and miticide, it is also a leaf gloss. What makes this leaf gloss stand out is that it will not clog the stomata of your leaves. It is thick and dark in appearance, similar to neem oil’s original color.

For Dyna-Gro Neem Oil to efficiently work on mites and pests, you should mix it with dish soap. This is because no matter how vigorously you stir neem oil and water together, they will not combine. The soap acts as an emulsifier to quickly dissolve the neem oil in water.

Just a few drops have a high concentration resulting in a considerable impact. And thanks to its rich pure neem oil contents, it effectively controls pests. You should use 1.5 teaspoons of neem oil per water quart with a half teaspoon of dish soap.

However, you should only give it to your plants in the late afternoon to reduce their chances of burning. One of its disadvantages is that it has an awful pungent smell due to its purity. Additionally, it is costly in its 8-ounce bottle. And it also thickens at room temperature.

Therefore, keep it in cool temperatures, below 95° F and above 65° F. Whenever the oil solidifies, immerse the bottle in warm water. Before you apply it, evaluate a plant’s sensitivity to sprays on a small area first. Then ensure you do not use it directly in the sun.

9. Monterey Neem Oil

Monterey, a mainstream neem oil product, contains 70% neem oil and other undisclosed components. Hence, it easily irritates the eye and skin. If you are looking for neem oil that deals with chronic insect infestation that is challenging to manage with only pure neem oil, Monterey is perfect for you. Monterey is milky white in appearance with a strong odor. It is also OMRI listed.

This product’s neem oil mixture is filtered and combined with additional ingredients to make it more effective in safeguarding your plants. What makes it stand out is that it was customized for plant maintenance only.

You can apply it to all plant varieties to manage leaf-footed bugs, aphids, leafhopper, and leafminers infestations common in plants. You can use it once weekly or twice monthly to get the best results.

10. Natria Neem Oil

This Oil formula comes in a ready-to-use bottle (no mixing with soap and water required), making it convenient for applying. You only have to shake it before spraying it over the plant’s trouble spots. Admittedly one of the best neem oils for plants, you can spray it up to the harvest day without experiencing any side effects.

Clear neem oil makes up 0.9% of its ingredients, while the manufacturer only knows the remaining 99%. However, it still works effectively, staying faithful to its promises despite not being 100% pure neem seed oil.

Since it is a contact insecticide, you must directly spray it over the plant bugs.

You should pluck out the infected leaves and stems before spraying the fungicide. Then, clean all of your gardening instruments to minimize the prevalence of fungal disease spores. You’ll love Natria Neem Oil because it’s friendly to the nose with a mild odor, unlike most neem oils. It will treat powdery mildew, rust, and black spots.

Before spraying Natria Neem Oil on your plants, have some protective gloves on. This is because it is harsh on the skin leading to skin irritation.

11. Harris Neem Oil

Harris is one of the most significant neem oils available that works well on plants as an organic pesticide and for cosmetic purposes. Due to its high concentration levels (making it stink), a little drop of it will work well. It is also a safe yet effective natural repellant. Moreover, it does not contain any toxic additives or GMOs.

To make an organic insecticide out of it, you’ll need a gallon of water, mild soap, and oil. Since it is a contact insecticide, you must spray it directly on the insects for it to work effectively.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Need Oil

Why Should I Use Neem Oil?

Neem oil comes with numerous benefits, including:

Where Does Neem Oil Come From?

Neem oil primarily comes from the seeds and fruits of the neem tree found mainly in the Asian countries of India, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Indonesia. It is yellowish to greenish in appearance and tastes bitter.

It has been used globally for decades to keep away pests and diseases known to humans, plants, and animals. Despite its smell, you can use it as an organic emulsifier and preservative in food.

How Does Neem Oil Kill Insects?

Neem oil contains numerous elements, such as steroidal triterpenes, saponins, and phenolic acids, readily found in the neem tree’s fruit, leaves, and seeds. However, its primary, most potent component is the azadirachtin, which successfully deters and kills various insects. This ingredient hinders an insect’s ability to develop or reproduce by stopping its hormonal functioning.

If your pests are stubborn and do not respond to other pesticides, neem oils containing azadirachtin are the solution. Additionally, it resists mold, fungus, and mildew. It also has antifeeding and antimicrobial qualities that suppress insects’ growth.

How Can I Tell Whether Neem Oil Is Authentic?

Pure neem oil possesses a strong garlic-like smell, unlike its fake counterparts. It also thickens at room temperature. If you want to prolong the shelf-life of pure neem oil, you should place it away from the direct sun. Due to its solidifying nature, you can hardly mix it with water. You’ll have to combine pure neem oil with water and soap to emulsify the mixture.

Can You Water Plants After Spraying Neem Oil?

Watering your plants after giving them neem oil will largely depend on the type of neem oil you used. It is okay to water plants after using neem oil if it is pure and cold-pressed. But if the neem oil is a chemical pesticide, it is unsafe to water plants after applying because the oil will pour into the soil.

Does Neem Oil Mix with Fertilizer?

Yes, neem oil will blend well with fertilizer. In fact, they both work towards the development and health of your plants. Fertilizers will give plants the nutrition they need to be strong and healthy, while neem oil will act as a pesticide to prevent pests and diseases. Indeed, their mixture will enhance the yields of your plants since they’ll thrive without bugs and diseases.

• Related Read: Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizer: What’re the Pros & Cons?

Can I Use Neem Oil Daily for My Plants?

No, you should not treat your plant with neem oil daily because it is dangerous when used frequently. As a rule of thumb, you should use it every 7 to 10 days. How serious the pest infestation is will also determine the frequency to use. But first, ensure you stick to all the instructions given by your neem oil product manufacturer.

General Tips for Using Neem Oil for Your Plants

1. To avoid burning your plants, give your plants neem oil very early in the morning or during the late afternoon.
2. Neem oil will not function effectively with water only. Therefore, you should always add soap to mix quickly unless the label states otherwise.
3. You’ll have to apply the oil directly to your plant’s leaves and stems to eradicate all pests and diseases. This is because neem oil is generally a contact insecticide.
4. Excess neem oil will suffocate your plants.
5. If you want the best results, apply neem oil once every week to 2 weeks.

Conclusion

There you have it! If you want the best overall pure neem oil, Verdana will come in handy. It is best for organic gardening, plant care, skincare, and pet care. Pure Petra Neem Oil, on the other hand, will give you value for your money with its high azadirachtin content that destroys fungus and pests.

Lastly, our top choice could not be complete without the Milania Premium Organic Oil. It is the purest premium organic oil that treats bacteria and fungi. You’ll never go wrong using these neem oils for your plants. Grab one today, and you will not regret it!

Featured Image Credit: Ninetechno, Shutterstock