Sunlight for Neem Plant?

Full sun. Neem demands open, unshaded exposure for vigorous growth and heavy flowering. Juvenile plants tolerate light partial shade but canopy development stalls without direct sun.

Water for Neem Plant?

Low once established. Young saplings need regular irrigation during the first 1–2 dry seasons to develop a taproot. Mature trees are highly drought-tolerant and suffer root rot in waterlogged soils.

Well-drained, tolerant of poor soils. Grows on sandy loams, stony slopes, and degraded alluvium, with a preference for neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Avoid saline, waterlogged, or heavy clay sites.

Temperature for Neem Plant?

21–40 °C; frost-sensitive. Optimum tropical to subtropical range; withstands prolonged heat exceeding 45 °C once mature. Sustained temperatures below 4 °C damage foliage and young wood.

What is Neem Plant used for medicinally?

Leaf decoctions used in Ayurveda and Unani traditions for skin conditions, fevers, and as a blood purifier; Seed oil (rich in azadirachtin and nimbin) applied for dermatitis, scabies, and fungal infections; Twigs traditionally chewed as datun for oral hygiene and gum health across South Asia; Bark extracts used in traditional formulations for malarial fevers and intestinal parasites

What does the scientific name Azadirachta indica mean?

Azadirachta: Derived from the Persian āzād-dirakht meaning 'noble tree', reflecting its long-standing regional esteem. indica: Latin for 'of India', referencing the species' core native range across the Indian subcontinent.

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Azadirachta indica

Neem PlantTree

Azadirachta indica is a fast-growing evergreen tree of the mahogany family Meliaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia, valued for its dense canopy, deep taproot, and the bioactive compounds concentrated in its seed oil.

FamilyMeliaceae

GenusAzadirachta

NativeAsia

LifespanPerennial; reported to live 150–200 years

About Azadirachta indica

The neem tree is a tough evergreen from India that gives shade, has tiny white flowers, and its seeds make an oil people use as natural medicine and bug repellent. 🌿

Common Names

EnglishNeem Plant

हिन्दीनीम

मराठीकडुलिंब

தமிழ்வேம்பு

संस्कृतम्निम्बः

Native Range

Asia is listed as part of the native range.

Native to Asia.

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Key Features

Habit: Evergreen canopy tree, 15–20 m
Family: Meliaceae (mahogany family)
Lifespan: Perennial; 150–200 years
Leaf: Alternate, imparipinnate, serrate leaflets
Flower: White, ~5 mm, in axillary panicles

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Benefits

Did You Know?

The neem tree is a tough evergreen from India that gives shade, has tiny white flowers, and its seeds make an oil people use as natural medicine and bug repellent. 🌿

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