A native of India, neem is an extraordinarily hardy tree that thrives in ecosystems ranging from the Sahara Desert to the wet salty environment of the Florida Keys. The only pests known to harm neem are directly related to overwatering: slugs (which are mollusks not insects) and several strains of root rot.
In Florida and other tropical climates, neem quickly becomes a valuable shade tree, growing up to eight feet per year under optimum conditions. In colder climates, neem trees can easily be grown in large pots as highly decorative houseplants, repelling pests such as scale and spider mites that can kill common indoor plants like ficus or palm trees.
For best results, plant your neem seedling in a one- to three-gallon pot for the first year or two, then transplant to a larger pot as they grow. For best results, transplant in the spring when neem can take advantage of longer days. Neem trees are like goldfish and they’ll only grow as large as their pots. It’s not a good idea to start with a very large pot, however, because it may hold too much water and kill your neem tree.
THREE VERY IMPORTANT NOTES ON SOIL:
- Do not use potting soil with “water management” polymers – it can hold so much water that your neem tree drowns.
- Do not use soil from your yard or compost pile unless you’re an expert gardener and know exactly what you’re doing.
- Do not use “garden” soil instead of potting soil. It is not typically sterile and often holds more water than a potting soil.
Water thoroughly after transplanting and then wait until soil is dry to the touch before watering again. If leaves start to wilt in dry climates, spritz them with water or very dilute fish emulsion. Don’t overwater – that’s the easiest way to kill a neem tree. To learn about “watchflowers,” visit our blog at https://neemtreefarms.com/blog/using-watchflowers-with-neem/279 (you can also Google watchflower and it will pop right up). You can also “guestimate” the amount of water in the pot by weighing it while the soil is wet and dry. Wet soil is much heavier and the difference is easy to gauge.
If possible, place your new neem tree in a spot where it is protected from afternoon sun and high winds. Once they’re settled in, however, neem trees are happy in full sun and handle high winds well. For optimum growth, fertilize twice a month. We use a 2-3-1- formula from http://www.neptunesharvest.com/fs-191.html and supplement with potash or kelp prior to cold weather arriving.
Neem trees, like many tropical plants, are day-length sensitive and will stop growing in the winter unless supplemental light is provided. If you expect to harvest neem year-round, make sure your tree receives as much natural light as possible during the day, then several hours of artificial light at night during the short days of winter. (It doesn’t have to be a lot of light – a near-by living room lamp is fine.)