The Plant Runner - Neem oil

Our Neem oil is created using  neem seed that has been hand blended with a vegetable based wetting agent.

Neem has hundreds of different uses and is especially popular with indoor plants. We use it as a natural leaf shine to keep foliage looking lush and dust free. Wiping down your plant's foliage on a regular basis removes dust that can limit the plant's ability to photosynthesise.

It contains organic sulphur, proteins and various beneficial trace elements and can be used safely around pets and children.

What is Plant Runner Neem Oil?

I'm so pleased to bring my fellow plant buddies new Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine in the 250ml size. This ready-to-use spray combines 100% certified organic Neem seed, hand-blended with a vegetable based wetting agent. It comes in a reusable, amber glass bottle with spray top included. I love the insta-worthy label with deep forest green combined with metallic bronzey rose gold. Lush leaves. Lush bottle!

Neem oil is a favourite with indoor plant hobbyists, but you can use it outdoors also. I use it as a natural leaf shine for my indoor jungle. Seriously lush leaves. No more dust. And unlike a lot of oils, Neem is non-comedogenic (a fancy way of saying it won't block your plant's pores). Neem seed also contains organic sulphur, proteins and trace elements for a little pick-me-up, plus it can be used safely around pets and children and won’t harm beneficial insects like bees, butterflies and ladybugs.

How do you apply neem oil to plants?

Give it a good shake then just spray and wipe! Unlike others, Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine is pre-mixed and ready to use straight from the bottle, trigger spray top included. Spray the leaves directly, then wipe off with a soft cloth (I like those fine microfibre cloths).

Neem isn't for all plants though. Don't use Neem on plants with hairy leaves, like African Violets. Neem also shouldn't be used used when leaves will be in direct sunlight. I use it for all my smooth-leaved dust magnets. Monstera, Peace Lily, Pothos, Philodendron, Ficus Elastica, Fiddle Leaf Fig (the list goes on). 

How often can you apply neem oil?

You can reapply after 7 days if needed (I do the rounds about once a month for my jungle). 

How long does it stay fresh?

Good question, as most Neem oil has a shelf-life of around 4 days once mixed. Usually, you mix Neem oil with water, which has to be used in 1-4 days max before the Neem won’t be effective, meaning mixing small quantities on a regular basis and wasting what you don't use up. 


The clever horticulturalist duo Duncan and Dom at Plant Runner have added a plant-based oil blend which extends the shelf life to 18 months. The oils act as a wetting agent, which both prevents the usual complaint with Neem of the nozzle blocking up, and extends the potency of the Neem on the plant after spraying - all without the need for synthetic preservatives. 

Where is the Neem in Plant Runner Neem Oil sourced from?

Neem oil is a by-product from the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica), a native tree to the Indian subcontinent (India, Nepalm Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives). The Neem that Plant Runner uses is 100% certified organic Australian Neem. grown in Queensland, cold pressed to retain all its proteins, vitamins and trace elements.

What are the benefits of wiping down leaves?

It's not just about looks. It's no secret plants need light. But light indoors is far weaker than outdoors. Plus outdoors Mother Nature takes care of build-up on leaves using the rain and wind. Add a layer of dust to the leaves of our indoor plants, and that means even less light. Dust on leaves blocks light, preventing plants being able to photosynthesise to their full capacity. Meanie. Plus dust also blocks pores, restricting the exchange of carbon dioxide in, and water and oxygen out. No dust? More light. Easy 'breathing'. Happier, healthier plants.

Is Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine the same as other leaf shines?

You ask all the good questions. And no, this isn't your typical leaf shine. Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine leaves leaves (not a typo), naturally shiny, not artificially glossy or plasticky looking. Because neem is non-comedogenic, it won't block pores like some leaf shine products can. 


You might also see leaf shine products that say they 'reduce water loss'. Not a good thing in my books. I prefer leaves being able to 'breath' (their pores, or stomata, exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen and water), so reducing water loss doesn't sound like a benefit to me. Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine is different.