🦟 Your Backyard Called. It Wants Fewer Mosquitoes.

👋 Hey there !

I know we’re officially in that weird Florida season where it’s technically spring but it already feels like summer—and the mosquitoes are starting to agree. 😅

If you're noticing more buzzing when you're just trying to enjoy your backyard? Now’s the time to do something about it.

You can absolutely plant your way to fewer pests and more pollinators—no chemicals, just the right plants in the right spots.

Here’s your quick-hit guide to turning your yard into a bug-fighting, bee-loving, Florida-proof garden:

🔥 Plants That Make Mosquitoes Regret Their Life Choices

🌿 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia / stoechas)

Lavender smells amazing to us—but mosquitoes? Not so much. It’s one of those dreamy plants that pulls double duty: repels bugs and makes your yard smell like a spa.

Heads up though: the classic English lavender doesn’t love Florida’s humidity. Go for Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) instead—it can actually handle our sweaty weather.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun

• Good airflow (to avoid the dreaded leaf-funk)

• Sandy, well-drained soil (raised beds or pots are your friend)

🦟 Naturally repels: Mosquitoes, moths, flies, and fleas
🦋 Attracts: Bees and butterflies (aka pollination pros)

🌸 Pro Tip: Line your walkways or patio with lavender to keep bugs at bay and add a little garden glam.

🌼 Marigolds (Tagetes)

These little guys are the MVPs of low-effort, high-reward gardening. They’re super easy to grow, love Florida heat, and bring the drama (in a good way) with bold, bright blooms.

Oh—and mosquitoes hate them. So do aphids, whiteflies, nematodes, and thrips. Basically, if it’s a tiny pest causing problems, marigolds are not on their guest list.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun

• Well-drained soil (they’re not into soggy roots)

🦟 Naturally repels: Mosquitoes, aphids, whiteflies, nematodes, thrips
🐞 Attracts: Ladybugs and hoverflies (the good bugs that eat the bad bugs)

🌻 Pro Tip: Tuck marigolds near your veggie garden, front door, or under a sunny window—they’ll add a pop of color and help keep bugs in check.

🌿 Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

If your garden needs a no-drama, smells-amazing, bug-repelling superstar—rosemary’s your herb. It thrives in our Florida sun, doesn’t mind sandy soil, and once it’s established, it basically takes care of itself.

Oh, and mosquitoes? Not fans. Same goes for cabbage moths and carrot flies. Meanwhile, pollinators love it. Win-win.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun

• Well-draining soil (sandy is great)

• Minimal watering (overwatering = root rot, so don’t smother it with love)

🦟 Naturally repels: Mosquitoes, cabbage moths, carrot flies
🦋 Attracts: Bees and butterflies

🔥 Pro Tip: Hosting friends outside? Toss a few dried sprigs of rosemary on the fire pit or grill—your whole space will smell incredible, and it helps keep mosquitoes from crashing the party.

🌱 Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil isn’t just for pasta night—it’s a legit mosquito repellent that also keeps houseflies and aphids off your back. Plus, it smells amazing and bees are totally into it.

It thrives in Florida’s warm weather, but give it a little shade during the hottest part of the day or it might get cranky (same).

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Morning sun + a little afternoon shade

• Regular watering

• Good airflow (to avoid mildew drama)

🦟 Naturally repels: Mosquitoes, houseflies, aphids
🐝 Attracts: Bees

🍽️ Pro Tip: Plant basil near your patio or outdoor dining spot. It’s like nature’s centerpiece that doubles as pest control and you can snip some for dinner.

🧡 Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow isn’t here to scare off pests directly—but it does throw the best kind of garden party. It attracts ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, and butterflies—the A-team when it comes to natural pest control.

Think of it as the plant that builds a support squad for your veggies.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun

• Well-drained soil

• Very little water once it’s settled in (Florida heat? No problem.)

🪰 Doesn’t repel pests directly, but…
🐞 Attracts: Ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, butterflies (aka the bugs that eat the bugs)

🌿 Pro Tip: Plant yarrow near aphid-prone plants like tomatoes or peppers—it helps bring in the good bugs that’ll do the dirty work for you.

🌿 Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

Cilantro isn’t just for tacos—it’s also a magnet for the kind of bugs that eat the bad bugs. Hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and bees all love it, which makes it a sneaky-good choice for natural pest control.

It’s more of a cool-season plant, though—so if it’s already bolting in the heat, let it flower! That’s when the magic really happens for your garden.

❄️ Grows Best With:

• Florida’s cooler months (fall + winter)

• Regular herb garden care—nothing too fancy

🪰 Doesn’t repel pests directly, but…
🐝 Attracts: Hoverflies (aphid assassins), parasitic wasps, bees

🌱 Pro Tip: Pop cilantro into your herb garden and let it go to seed when the weather heats up. Those tiny flowers = a buffet for beneficial bugs.

🌿 Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Fennel’s a total butterfly magnet—especially if you’re into hosting swallowtails. It thrives in Florida sunshine and dry, sandy soil, and it’s a favorite hangout for lacewings and ladybugs, too.

One thing to note: fennel doesn’t always play nice with other herbs. It tends to be a loner, so give it its own space in the garden.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun

• Sandy, well-drained soil (hello, Florida)

🪰 Doesn’t repel pests directly, but…
🦋 Attracts: Lacewings, ladybugs, and swallowtail butterflies

🌱 Pro Tip: Keep fennel separate from your herb crew—it can mess with their growth. But as a solo act? It's a rockstar for pollinators and pest control.

🧄 Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)

If you're looking for an easy, low-maintenance plant that quietly works overtime in your garden—garlic chives are it. They thrive in Florida, don’t need much fuss, and they pull double duty by repelling pests and attracting helpful insects.

Plus, those little white blooms? Pollinators love them.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun or partial shade

• Regular watering (but nothing crazy)

🦟 Naturally repels: Aphids, carrot rust flies, Japanese beetles
🐝 Attracts: Parasitic wasps and bees (aka your garden’s pest control crew)

🥕 Pro Tip: Tuck garlic chives around your veggie beds—they’ll help keep the bad bugs away and bring in the good ones. Bonus: you can snip them for cooking anytime.

🌿 Dill (Anethum graveolens)

Dill’s not just for pickles—it’s also a superstar when it comes to supporting beneficial bugs in your garden. Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and even swallowtail caterpillars love it.

It grows best during Florida’s cooler months, but if you’ve still got some hanging on, let it flower! That’s when it really shines.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Cooler weather (fall + winter)

• Sandy, well-drained soil

• A little wind protection (it’s kind of delicate)

🦟 Naturally repels: Aphids, spider mites
🐞 Attracts: Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, swallowtail caterpillars

🍅 Pro Tip: Dill makes an awesome companion plant for cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes. It helps keep pests away while inviting in the good bugs to help your garden thrive.

💜 Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

This plant’s a total showoff—in the best way. With tall, vibrant blooms and a minty-anise scent, anise hyssop brings serious style to your garden and draws in all the good bugs.

Pollinators love it. Predatory wasps (the helpful kind!) love it. Your garden? Will love it.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun

• Well-draining soil (Florida-friendly)

🪰 Doesn’t repel pests directly, but…
🐝 Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and pest-hunting wasps

🌸 Pro Tip: Use it as a backdrop plant or focal point—its tall, colorful blooms add a pop to your space and act like a welcome mat for beneficial bugs. Looks good, works hard.

🌿 These Plants Don’t Just Sit There—They Work Overtime

🌼 Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum indicum)

Some plants just show off—and chrysanthemums totally earn it. These blooms don’t just look pretty, they repel a laundry list of pests while also bringing in pollinators. Talk about multitasking.

They do best during Florida’s cooler seasons, but even outside of peak bloom, they’re pulling their weight in the pest department.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Partial to full sun

• Well-drained soil

• Cooler temps (fall’s their moment to shine)

🦟 Naturally repels: Ants, silverfish, roaches, ticks, fleas, bed bugs, spider mites, lice
🐝 Attracts: Bees

🪴 Pro Tip: Pop them in pots near doors, patios, or garden borders for a mix of pest control and cheerful color. They’re basically nature’s air freshener with bug-fighting powers.

🌿 Mint (Mentha spp.)

Mint smells fresh, tastes great, and tells a bunch of bugs to take a hike. It’s a natural repellent for ants, spiders, mosquitoes, and fleas. But—and this is a big one—it loves to spread like it owns the place.

In Florida, it grows like wild, so your best bet? Keep it in a container unless you want a mint takeover.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Partial shade (especially during those blazing Florida afternoons)

• Well-draining soil

• A pot or planter—trust us

🦟 Naturally repels: Ants, spiders, mosquitoes, fleas
🐝 Attracts: Bees, hoverflies

🌱 Pro Tip: Stick it in a container near your patio or entryway—it's pretty, pest-repelling, and ready for cocktail hour whenever you are. 🍃

🌿 Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus)

This is the plant people think of when they hear “citronella candles”—but the real deal is even better. Citronella grass naturally gives off that signature citrusy scent that mosquitoes absolutely hate.

It loves Florida’s heat, grows fast, and makes a solid natural barrier around the spots where you actually want to relax (read: without getting eaten alive).

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun

• Moist, well-drained soil (soggy roots = nope)

🦟 Naturally repels: Mosquitoes, biting flies
🐝 Attracts: Not many pollinators, but it doesn’t push them away either

🪑 Pro Tip: Tuck citronella grass around patios, seating areas, or fire pits for built-in bug control that smells way better than anything out of a spray bottle. Bonus: it looks like a tropical ornamental—win-win.

🌿 Alyssum(Lobularia maritima)

Alyssum is one of those quiet garden heroes—it doesn’t repel pests directly, but it totally pulls its weight by attracting helpful insects and keeping your garden soil healthy and stable.

It grows well in Florida, especially during the cooler months, and makes an awesome low-growing filler between plants or along pathways.

☀️ Grows Best With:

• Full sun to partial shade

• Moderate watering

• Cooler seasons = peak performance

🪰 Doesn’t repel pests, but…
🐝 Attracts: Hoverflies, bees, butterflies

🌿 Pro Tip: Use alyssum as a living mulch between crops or flower beds—it fills space beautifully, helps with soil health, and brings in pollinators that’ll do your pest control for you.

🌱 A Few Quick Tips for a Garden That Works in Florida

Let’s be real—Florida gardening comes with its quirks. But with the right setup, you can have a yard that smells amazing, looks gorgeous, and tells pests to hit the road. Here’s how to set the stage:

🪴 Soil + Drainage: Most plants don’t love soggy feet. Use raised beds or mix in some compost to improve drainage and keep roots happy.

☀️ Sunlight: Full sun is the sweet spot for most of these plants, but a few—like basil and mint—appreciate a little afternoon shade when it gets really hot.

💧 Watering: Deep, less frequent watering = stronger roots. Just don’t overdo it, especially with rosemary and lavender—they’re not into wet roots.

🌿 What to Plant When

Cool-Weather Champs: Cilantro, dill, and chrysanthemums are at their best in fall and winter.

Warm-Weather Rockstars: Basil, mint, and marigolds shine in spring and summer.

🌼 Bonus Garden Smarts

• Mix it up: Don’t plant a giant patch of just one thing—variety keeps pests confused and encourages a healthier ecosystem.

• Go natural: These plants already know how to keep bugs away. Skip the chemical sprays and let them (and the pollinators) do their thing.

With a little planning, your Florida garden can be more than just pretty—it can be a peaceful, pest-fighting powerhouse.

Here’s to turning your yard into a sunny, buzzing, mosquito-free little paradise.

— The Team 🌊
(Yes, we talk about bugs a lot, but only because we want them out of your space.)