Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine

"Got gifted my first bottle, took me a while to get round to use it but once I did the difference in the shine on the leaves was amazing! I am now on my second bottle and it is now something I always have to have in my collection." Hannah Percy 
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 What is Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine? 

Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine is a ready-to-use, organic, natural leaf shine combining 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! This is for 250mls.

Neem oil is a favourite with indoor plant hobbyists. 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, called stomata, which they need to take in carbon dioxide and 'breathe out' oxygen). Neem seed also contains organic sulphur, proteins and trace elements for a little pick-me-up, plus it's safe to use 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), or for delicate or sensitive leaves, spray on a cloth or cotton pad and wipe the leaves, then wipe off after with a cloth dampened with water. 

Neem isn't for all plants though. Don't use Neem on plants with hairy or furry 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-leaf dust magnets. Monstera, Peace Lily, Pothos, Philodendron, Ficus, ZZ, 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 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 not the same intensity as 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. Easier '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.

 Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine Reviews 

"I love this spray.. it not only gives my plants energy to shine, but be super green glossy stars!! Everyone always comments about how healthy my plants look.. its my top tip!!" @monique_s_au 

"...revitalises the foliage of all my plants. Shiny, sparkly & splendour. Healthy stems for my BoP and it's like applying a serum on my fiddle leaf fig tree." @david.l_au

"Love the neem oil. Cleans leaves without leaving residue. Thank you." @clare_A.