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? 

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 too. Lush leaves. Lush bottle! This is for 250mls.

 Why is this different from other leaf shine products? 

WON'T BLOCK PLANTS FROM 'BREATHING'

Unlike most other leaf shine products, Plant Runner's Neem Oil Leaf Shine 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. 

You might also see leaf shine products that say they 'reduce water loss'. That's actually not a good thing. Leaves need to 'breath' (their pores, or stomata, exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen and water), so reducing water loss isn't much of a benefit. Plant Runner Neem Oil Leaf Shine is different.

HEALTH BOOST

Neem seed also contains organic sulphur, proteins and trace elements for a little pick-me-up booster, plus it's safe to use around pets and children and won’t harm beneficial insects like bees, butterflies and ladybugs.

NATURAL SHINE

Plant Runner's leaf shine leaves behind a healthy, natural shine, not an artifical gloss that makes plants look fake! That glossy shine is a sign the product is coating the leaf (and blocking plant's pores). 

STAYS FRESH LONGER

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 up in 1-4 days max, meaning mixing small quantities every time and wasting what you don't use up. 

Plant Runner's Neem OIl Leaf Shine is different. The plant-based oil blend 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. 

 How do you apply neem oil to plants? 

Give your bottle 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. Whether you spray the leaves directly, or spray a cloth or gloves, depends on the plant's leaf type.

For smoother or thicker leaves: Spray leaves directly, then wipe off with a soft cloth (I like those fine microfibre cloths or microfibre dusting gloves). 

For delicate or sensitive, thinner leaves: spray on a cloth, gloves or cotton pad and wipe the leaves, then wipe off after with a different cloth dampened with plain 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. 

 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 clean leaves? 

It's not just about looks. Some pests (like Spider Mites), love dusty leaves. Keeping plant leaves clean and dust-free reduces the risk of pests while making it easier to spot pests at the same time.

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 photosynthesize to their full capacity.

Dust also blocks pores, restricting the exchange of carbon dioxide in, and water and oxygen out.

No dust? More light. Fewer pests. Easier 'breathing'. Happier, healthier plants :)