The plant known as Hoya is a stunning tropical plant that is typically found indoors. It is native to various regions in Asia, including India, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
They are, however, known to attract sap-suckers like mites, mealy bugs, and aphids. Are toxic chemicals the only answer or is there a more-natural solution?
Can you use neem oil on Hoya? Despite the strength of neem oil, it is the one substance that will rid your Hoya plants of all pests without harming the plant. In fact, neem oil will also limit the spread of fungal disease to the plant’s healthy tissues, which helps plants stay healthy longer.
Neem oil is the perfect solution for ridding your Hoya plants of pests and keeping them healthy. However, it is crucial to understand the best practices of neem oil use.
For example, incorrect use of neem oil can not only burn the leaves of the Hoya plant but kill the good bacteria it needs to grow.
Guide To Using Neem Oil on Hoya
Neem oil is your saving grace to preventing sap-suckers and other pests from invading your Hoya plant.
It is the best insecticide because it doesn’t just work on specific bugs. It gets rid of all insects and repels others, keeping your plant vibrant and healthy during its live season.
In addition, neem oil is all natural, so you don’t have to worry about causing harm to family members or pets during use.
I use and recommend this neem oil – it hasn’t let me down yet, and the smell isn’t as strong as other products.
Why Use Neem Oil on Hoya
Dealing with an insect infestation on Hoya plants can be very stressful. It can make one feel they want to give up on raising their gorgeous plants.
For those of us who prefer natural plant care over chemicals, trying to figure out what works best without hurting the flower can become overwhelming.
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that comes from the seeds of the Indian neem tree.
The oil is extracted from these seeds and sold in its raw form as well as other forms that are processed with other chemicals to produce a pesticide spray.
It is the best natural insecticide because it contains no harmful chemicals that can harm children or animals. If used correctly, it won’t hurt plants either.
When To Use Neem Oil on Hoya
Many say that you should wait until you see insects on your Hoya plant to begin using neem treatment.
However, since neem also manages fungal diseases, it is recommended to use it as part of a regular routine even if you don’t see any bugs.
However, if you choose not to do this, neem treatment should be started the second you spot an insect on your Hoya.
How To Use Neem Oil on Hoya
It is essential not to put undiluted neem oil on the Hoya plant because it can burn the leaves. While neem oil is an excellent insecticide, it is very strong in its pure form.
Here is how to make one liter of neem oil spray:
Ingredients:
- 1- 1 1/2 teaspoon of neem oil
- 1 liter of warm water
- 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients together
- Shake well
Do a leaf test before using the mixture on the entire plant. This is a critical step to ensure that the neem oil is perfectly diluted so that it won’t burn the leaves of the Hoya.
Once the mixture passes the test, spray the entire plant, ensuring that you get the front and back of every leaf and stem. Ensure that every part of the plant gets sprayed. Lightly spraying the soil is also advised.
After treatment, keep the Hoya out of the sunlight until the mixture dries completely.
Repeat this process every one to two weeks until all of the bugs are gone.
How & Why Neem Oil Works
It is important to understand how neem oil works on getting rid of insect infestations because, after one use, one may think it’s not working since it doesn’t kill on contact.
Over a few days, you will notice the number of bugs decreasing, and with continued use, they will completely disappear.
Neem oil only works on the bugs that eat the plant, meaning that the beneficial bugs needed to balance out the healthy bacteria of the Hoya are not impacted.
Once an insect ingests the neem oil mixture, they stop feeding.
This, in turn, interferes with their ability to lay and grow eggs, causing them to die off slowly.
What Pests Is Neem Oil Effective Against?
Neem oil kills and repels many sap-sucking insects. These include whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles, fungus gnats, thrips, houseplant scales, locusts, beet armyworms, mushroom flies, and mealybugs.
Related Questions:
What Plants Can Be Damaged by Neem Oil?
Neem oil is generally safe to use on all plants. As mentioned before, it doesn’t harm people or animals, making it a great natural insecticide to protect plants and animals.
However, there are specific circumstances in which neem oil may not be the safest option for plants.
For example, for a plant that you have just put into a new pot with new soil, it’s best to wait until you know the plant is responding well to the change before using the neem mixture.
Also, if the Hoya plant is already stressed, meaning that it looks to be dying and drooping, it is best to refrain from using neem spray.
Can I Water Plants After Neem Oil?
You can water plants after neem oil treatment. You can even water the plant with the neem solution as it will further destroy any bugs or larvae existing within the soil.
Pests like gnats are specifically attracted to the damp soil. Neem oil will repel them from the soil.
Wrapping Up
Hoya plants are exotic indoor plants that are easy to grow and take care of.
Unfortunately, they are prone to sap-sucking insects that can become overwhelming without some form of prevention immediately in place.
The neem oil mixture is the best way to naturally eliminate these insects by preventing them from feeding and reproducing while repelling new insects from infecting your gorgeous Hoya plant.