Neem Tree
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is particularly favored by gardeners for its oil. That’s because neem oil makes a safe, effective herbicide.
Neem trees can reach 15–30 meters in height and have attractive rounded crowns and thick furrowed bark. The compound leaves have toothed leaflets and are typically evergreen but do drop during periods of extreme drought. The small fragrant white flowers are bisexual or staminate (male) and are borne in clusters in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a smooth yellow-green drupe and has a sweet-flavored pulp.
Planting & Care
Sunlight: They do best in long-lasting, direct light
Soil: Neem grows in almost all types of soil. Growing neem tree is simple as it can be grown in any type of soil which includes clayey, saline, black cotton soil, and alkaline soils.
Water: Water only if the top 1-inch soil feels dry. If growing in a pot, the tree will need watering daily in summer. However, over-watering will harm the neem tree due to fungus and root rot.
Fertilizer: Fertilize the plant weekly during the growing season with a fertilizer for acid-loving plants, using a liquid fertilizer at half strength.
Temperature: Summer is the growth time for the neem tree. The tree loves sunlight and high temperature. Can grow in temperatures up to 50°C (120F)
Pruning: Pinch off the tips of young plants as they grow to encourage a bushier plant structure that produces more leaves.
