Neem

Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Neem is a fast-growing, evergreen tree known for its remarkable medicinal, pesticidal, and soil-enhancing properties. Native to the Indian subcontinent, neem has been revered for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional farming systems. Every part of the plant—leaves, bark, seeds, oil, and even the flowers—offers a wide array of uses, particularly for health, pest management, and regenerative land practices. Its adaptability to dry climates and poor soils makes neem a valuable addition to drought-tolerant herb gardens, food forests, and homesteads focused on self-reliance.

Key Characteristics

• Traditional Medicinal Uses Across Plant Parts
  Neem leaves are used for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties—commonly applied in skin treatments, teas, and internal detoxification remedies. Neem oil, pressed from the seeds, is a potent antiparasitic and skin treatment, while the bark is traditionally used in dental care and digestive remedies. In Ayurveda, neem is known as a powerful "blood purifier."
• Natural Pest Repellent and Soil Enhancer
  Neem oil is widely used in organic gardening as a natural pesticide and fungicide, effective against aphids, mites, whiteflies, and fungal diseases. Neem cake, a byproduct of oil extraction, is an excellent organic fertilizer and nematode repellent when worked into the soil—improving both fertility and pest resistance.
• Ideal for Drought-Resilient, Regenerative Systems
  Neem thrives in arid and semi-arid climates, requiring little water once established. Its deep roots stabilize soil, and its leaf litter improves organic matter content. It’s well-suited for regenerative agroforestry projects, hedgerows, windbreaks, and dryland permaculture systems, especially in tropical and subtropical zones.
• Pollinator and Insect Habitat Value
  Neem flowers are highly fragrant and attract a variety of beneficial insects, including pollinators like bees and hoverflies. Though not a primary nectar source, it supports integrated pest management strategies by drawing in predatory insects and promoting ecological balance.
• Multipurpose Landscape Integration
  Neem makes a durable addition to food forests, medicinal herb gardens, dryland orchards, or as a natural living fence. Its year-round foliage provides light shade and functions well as a nurse tree in tropical systems. It should be planted with spacing in mind due to its mature size.

Product Details

• Native Range: Indian subcontinent (non-native in the Americas)
• Plant Life Cycle: Evergreen tree
• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Medium-dry to dry; well-drained soils
• Mature Height: 40–60 ft (can be pruned for smaller size)
• Bloom Time: Spring (varies by climate)
• Bloom Color: White to pale yellow
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 10–12 (not frost-tolerant; container grown in colder zones)

Neem is a powerhouse plant for the herbalist, permaculturist, and natural farmer—combining medicinal potency, ecological resilience, and broad-spectrum uses from skin care to soil health. In warm climates, neem offers both healing and horticultural value in one remarkable tree.