Does neem oil help with leaf curl?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Neem oil is an effective remedy for leaf curl since it stops a pest's reproduction and feeding. I have seen severe aphid-induced leaf curling disappear from client gardens within 10 days of weekly spray applications. I would like to emphasize proper dilution. The safest method is using 2 tablespoons per gallon to avoid leaf burn while killing off any pest.
Mixing & Spraying
- 2 tbsp cold-pressed neem oil per gallon
- Add 1 tsp dish soap as emulsifier
- Spray undersides at dawn or dusk
Safety Precautions
- Avoid flowers during bee activity (8 AM-5 PM)
- Test on 3 leaves before full application
- Rinse harvests thoroughly post-spray
Integrate neem with cultural practices for long-lasting results. One client had an infestation that seemed to recur frequently until we enhanced the neem sprays with a combination of yellow sticky traps and basil intercropping. Neem can break the pest cycle, but will not compensate for poor soils or overcrowded plants.
As the treatment progresses, I monitor new growth. New foliage should appear healthy and uncurled within 14 days. I keep track of recovery rates by taking time-stamped photos. Treatments that were administered while the foliage could dry before 9:00 AM appear to improve treatment time 25% faster, than plants that were sprayed while under the afternoon heating conditions.
Read the full article: Tomato Leaves Curling: Causes and Solutions
