Olive oil is perfect for cooking. It contains healthy fats that lower inflammation and cholesterol, and can be used in everything from salad dressings to dipping sauces. However, what many people don’t know is that olive oil also has plenty of applications in the garden. It can be used to deter pests, clean garden tools, and even shine up your plant’s leaves.
Here, we asked a gardener and an olive oil expert how they use this natural oil in their garden—and why you should too.
Shine Up Potted Plant Leaves
Olive oil can easily fix dusty or dirty plant leaves—just dab a bit of it on a damp paper towel, and you’re ready to start shining.
“Be careful not to add too much oil to your leaves … just a small amount will do the trick,” says Stephen Lucke, executive director at Gardopia Gardens.
A natural alternative to commercial cleaners, olive oil gently lifts off dirt and dust, while also adding a bit of shine to the leaves. However, don’t rub the oil into the undersides of the leaves, as it will clog their stomata, or pores.
Polish Garden Tools
Garden tools regularly interact with dirt, mud, water, and pebbles, all of which can lead to rusting or scratching. Rubbing olive oil on the wood handles or metal components can prevent this damage from happening.
Simply coat them with a layer of the oil to protect them. The great thing about olive oil, says Lucke, is that it also causes less harm to your plants than regular oil, since it’s all natural. So even if any oil drips from your tools to your plants, it won’t negatively impact them.
Make an Alternative to Neem Oil
You can also use it to keep pests away from your garden plants. Simply combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1 teaspoon of dish soap and 1 liter of water.
“If neem oil is unavailable, olive oil is a great substitute when taking care of pests like aphids, mites, scales, or whiteflies in an organic way,” says Lucke.
So, how does it work? When sprayed onto garden plants, olive oil penetrates the insect’s exoskeleton, disturbing its normal bodily functions. “Insects don’t develop a resistance [to it],” notes Jorge Argota, co-founder of Grease Connections. “And beneficial predators rebound quickly.”
Plus, olive oil can break down into essential amino acids and nutrients that your plants can use later on, Lucke adds. So the oil can benefit your plants twofold.
Create a Fly Repellent
Olive oil will also keep flies away. Mix 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar with one cup of water. Then, add 1 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Use these ingredients in a glass spray bottle and mist any areas infested with flies.
DIY Your Own Hand Moisturizer
After a long day in the garden, your hands can take a beating; olive oil works wonderfully as a DIY moisturizer. Full of amino acids and healthy fats, it’s good for your skin, and all you need is a dab to do the trick.