Neem oil is a dual-purposed supplement for your plants: a pesticide and fungicide. Neem oil naturally has insecticidal properties and works on pests like tomato hornworms, corn earworms, aphids, whiteflies, and other common pests. It also helps you control fungi, including powdery mildew and fungal diseases, that grow on your plant foliage.

For those of us looking to keep our plants as naturally cared for as possible, some DIY neem oil recipes will come in handy. Consider the ingredients in light of your budget and the types of plants you have for an easy decision on which one(s) could be best for your garden and indoor plants.

Three Recipes from Pinch of Seeds

green aphids on a white flower

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Pinch of Seeds offers three recipes for Neem oil. The first uses cold-pressed neem oil, castile liquid soap, and warm water. Instructions include materials for either a quart of water with neem oil or a gallon of neem oil insecticide spray.

The second recipe provides you with around a gallon of insecticide using water, essential oils, neem oil, and olive or almond oil.

The third option is a soil drench, made up of neem oil, water, and castile soap.

All three recipes are to make and don’t require much time or effort to create.

Multipurpose Neem Oil from Scratch

neem leaves on black background

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If you’re looking to make your own neem oil itself, this recipe is a great option. To make the oil yourself, you’ll need 1 cup of neem leaves and 1 cup of coconut oil, a grinder, pan, and stove. Simple, direct instructions with photos show you exactly how to do it. You can then use the oil in your own insecticidal soap recipes and care for your entire plant or plant leaves by simply spraying on the oil for plants.

Neem Oil Eco-Pesticide Garden Spray

essential oil products

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For this neem oil recipe, you’ll need 1 gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of organic neem oil (your active ingredient), rosemary essential oil, and peppermint essential oil. The natural pesticide recipe is super easy to follow and the spray is perfect for covering a large garden area or keeping a smaller garden covered for a long time.

3-Ingredient Pesticide

Pesticide being sprayed onto plants

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Here’s another extremely simple to make and use neem oil recipe, using just three ingredients: tepid water, neem oil concentrate, and mild liquid soap. Follow the instructions for a fast, easy solution to your pest issues in the garden.

Neem Oil Spray from Leaves or Seeds

oil in small jar surrounded by leaves

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Another alternative is using either the leaves or the seeds to make your neem oil spray for the garden. Indoor Garden Nook offers a formula intended specifically for use indoors. Both options are simple and easy to make.

Organic, Natural Plant Care is Always the Best

I had no idea making a homemade pesticide and fungicide could be so easy. I’m going to grab some of these supplies myself and whip up a batch for my ever-battling tomatoes. Hopefully, you’ll find one of these recipes as useful as I expect I will for the fungal infections and insect infestations that recently cropped up in my patio and indoor gardens.

Just be sure to find a spray bottle that won’t clog easily (oil does that!). Store the plant sprays it in a cool, dark, dry place to avoid contamination or spoilage.