Spring Houseplant Pests Are Waking Up, But This $17 Organic Spray Gets Rid of Them Instantly – and Leaves Your Plants Looking Glossy

Shoppers say it even has a pleasant scent

Indoor plants on a table
(Image credit: Future)

The joys of being a devoted houseplant parent mean checking underneath leaves regularly for any lurking pests. Spring in particular is when many of them become active, so I'm on the hunt for organic solutions to get rid of them before they destroy my indoor garden – like neem oil spray.

You may have already heard of using neem oil on plants in the garden. It's a natural product that can get rid of aphids, scale insects, Japanese beetles, and common houseplant pests. More specifically, products like this Amazon houseplant neem oil spray can be applied to indoor plants under the attack of thrips, spider mites, fungus gnats, and more.

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The Benefits of Using Neem Oil on Houseplants

Fiddle leaf fig in window

Neem oil is safe for houseplant health

(Image credit: Future)

Neem oil is a natural pest control solution that gets rid of pests very quickly.

You can spray it on houseplant foliage when you spot destructive critters like thrips, spider mites, aphids, gnats, and more, and it will kill them.

In fact, you can even use it as a precaution because its scent acts as a repellent, safeguarding your houseplants before pests even arrive.

The added bonus is that it leaves your plants looking luscious, especially those with showy foliage like monsteras. Just like leaf shine (like this from Walmart), neem oil helps clean houseplant foliage and gives it a glossy finish.

Having said that, you do need to be careful not to overapply neem oil and only use it when necessary. It can cause a build-up that suffocates plants, blocks pores, and makes them sensitive to direct sun, sometimes resulting in leaf scorch.

Top tip: for a more gentle application, spray neem oil onto a microfiber cloth (like these from Walmart) and wipe foliage carefully.

What Shoppers Say

Houseplants on table

Neem oil shouldn't be used excessively

(Image credit: Catherine Gratwicke)

It can feel daunting to spray products on houseplants, but shoppers who have used this Amazon houseplant neem oil spray say they felt safe using it on their indoor garden.

'A must for houseplants, works great and smells really good! It's a pest control spray that also works as leaf shine,' one five-star reviewer writes.

It's clear from the reviews that this neem oil gets to work quickly.

'Within five minutes of spraying the plants, the gnats were dead,' one person describes.

'It’s very effective at making my plants look nice and shiny, and I don’t seem to have any pest issues. Definitely works on spider mites. I’d purchase it again!' another shopper shares.

Customers also put my concerns for an unpleasant scent to rest, as they describe: 'You won't even know it has neem oil, it smells just like clove.'

This is likely thanks to the fact this Amazon houseplant neem oil has eight additional essential oils. This includes tea tree, clove, sage, thyme, cedarwood, lemongrass, peppermint, garlic, and capsicum – many of which are scents that repel pests, strengthening its pest control qualities.

Something else to note about this particular neem oil product is the fact it comes in a spray bottle.

'It sprays a very fine mist so all you have to do is mist the leaves front and back and leave it. No need to wipe if the leaves are smaller,' one shopper describes.

You can also purchase non-spray concentrated neem oil products (like this one on Amazon) to mix into a homemade bug spray solution. But, there's no doubt that it's more convenient to use this pre-mixed, ready-to-spray product.

Of course, one of the best parts about the Amazon houseplant neem oil spray is the fact it's organic.

'I especially love that it’s made with natural ingredients and free of harsh chemicals. Excellent quality and truly essential for anyone with houseplants,' one satisfied shopper writes.

Perhaps the only downside to note is that neem oil can be irritating on the skin:

'I would recommend wearing gloves when spraying it, because it left a tingly sensation on my skin that came in contact with the solution. I washed my hands right away and that went away,' a reviewer advises.

It's true some people experience minor irritation with neem oil, but this is easily avoidable with careful use and protective wear, like these rubber gloves at Walmart.

For just $19.95 (currently $16.96 in Amazon's Big Spring Sale), this neem oil spray seems more than worth it – especially if it means I'm saving hundreds on replacing pest-ridden houseplants.

FAQs

Does Neem Oil Harm Pollinators?

When used correctly, neem oil is considered to have low-toxicity to beneficial insects and pollinators. However, there are some environmental concerns around using it incorrectly. For example, you shouldn't directly spray it on flowers because it heightens the risk of pollinators becoming coated in it. Likewise, it's best to dilute it. In a houseplant capacity, however, it is contained indoors where it can't harm pollinators and helps get rid of pests efficiently.

Shop More Non-Toxic Ideas


If being an organic gardener is something you want to prioritize this year, check out our guide to eco-friendly garden ideas for more inspiration.

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Tenielle Jordison
Gardens Content Editor

Tenielle is a Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens. She holds a qualification in MA Magazine Journalism and has over six years of journalistic experience. Before coming to Homes & Gardens, Tenielle was in the editorial department at the Royal Horticultural Society and worked on The Garden magazine. As our in-house houseplant expert, Tenielle writes on a range of solutions to houseplant problems, as well as other 'how to' guides, inspiring garden projects, and the latest gardening news. When she isn't writing, Tenielle can be found propagating her ever-growing collection of indoor plants, helping others overcome common houseplant pests and diseases, volunteering at a local gardening club, and attending gardening workshops, like a composting masterclass.