Neem
Azadirachta indica
📖 About this plant
Azadirachta indica (neem or ‘Neem’/’Limbo’ in Odia/Hindi, also called Nimba) is one of India’s most important medicinal trees. The tree bears pinnate leaves and small white fragrant flowers followed by yellow drupes. All parts of the tree are used in Ayurvedic medicine — leaves for skin diseases, bark for fevers, seeds for neem oil (azadirachtin-rich natural insecticide), and twigs as a toothbrush. Neem oil is used in soap-making, cosmetics, and as a biopesticide. Wood is hard and used for furniture and construction. The tree is drought-tolerant and is extensively planted for avenue, agroforestry, and reforestation. Neem is the state tree of Andhra Pradesh.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun
Regular; moderately drought-tolerant
Moderate
15-38°C
Well-draining loam
Compost annually
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Indian Subcontinent
- 📏 Max height
- 10-20 m
- 📐 Spread
- 4-6 m
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White-yellow
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- 40+ years
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seeds
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic
Common issues
- Leaf spot
- caterpillar defoliation
💡 Care tips
- Plant in well-draining soil with appropriate light.
- Tolerates Indian tropical conditions.