Indoor plants with insects or fungal diseases need your care, but you don't want to introduce toxic chemicals into your living environment. Luckily, there are natural insecticides and fungicides for houseplants that are safe for your family and your pets. Some treatments can be made from things you have right in your kitchen. While some of these natural remedies may take more than one application, it's well worth it not to have poisons on the plants in your home.

Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soaps are sold in most garden centers and are a tried-and-true method of insect control. Commercial versions consist of the potassium salts of fatty acids, which are diluted with water before application. Some gardeners use dishwashing detergents for insect control, but care must be taken due to the potential for plant damage.

Neem Oil
Neem oil is an extract of the seeds of the neem tree. According to Colorado State University Extension, the oil has both insecticidal and fungicidal properties. It is especially effective against the three major houseplant insect pests: whiteflies, thrips and aphids. Neem oil is nontoxic to humans, mildly toxic to fish and considered relatively harmless to adult butterflies, bees, wasps, spiders, parasitic wasps and ladybeetles.

Horticultural Oils
Horticultural oils, sometimes called dormant oils, are highly refined petroleum-based oils, such as mineral oil, that mix well with water. They are effective against scale insects and spider mites. They work by smothering the insects or closing up the stomata they breathe through so that they suffocate.

Homemade Treatments
Many homemade recipes for insecticides can be found in books and online. Most of these contain soap and oil, and some add baking soda as a fungicide. Milk is sometimes used as a fungicide against black spot on roses. One all-purpose recipe that is widely used is 1/3 cup of furniture-cleaning oil soap plus 1 tablespoon of baking soda thoroughly mixed in 1 gallon of water.

Considerations
No formula containing soap or oil should be applied during the middle of the day. Apply them only in the cooler morning or evening hours to avoid leaf damage.
Although neem oil is generally considered safe, there are conflicting opinions. To be on the safe side, use protective clothing when using it and try not to inhale it.
Protect all surfaces when spraying any substance on your plants. Always spray both the top and bottom of all leaves when applying any insecticide, for best results.

From Network Resources