Collection: Natural & Organic Pesticides

Get rid of insect pests with organic products

32 products

Organic Pesticides - Grow Organic

Collection: Organic Pesticides for Natural Garden Pest Control

Overview of Organic Pest Control

Organic pesticides offer a sustainable, eco-friendly solution for managing pests in home gardens and on farms. Products such as neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and diatomaceous earth are among the best organic pesticides for vegetables, effectively targeting pests without harming beneficial insects or disrupting ecosystems. These organic pesticides for garden use meet the standards of the USDA’s National Organic Program. Combined with natural methods like companion planting and DIY treatments, they allow gardeners to grow healthy, organic food naturally. Always follow product labels for safety and effectiveness.

Benefits of Choosing Organic Pesticides

Using organic pesticides helps protect plant health, soil quality, pollinators, and wildlife. Options like natural pesticides—including neem oil, insecticidal soap, and diatomaceous earth—target common pests such as aphids, tomato hornworms, spider mites, mealy bugs, and leaf miners while sparing beneficial insects like wasps and ladybugs. These garden safe pesticides reduce chemical exposure for humans and pets and are ideal for anyone practicing organic gardening. Many gardeners also use mild soap sprays or DIY solutions to minimize environmental impact while maintaining crop health.

Types of Organic Pesticides

Organic pesticide options vary by source and action. Common categories include:

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Bt is a naturally occurring bacterium effective against caterpillars and worms (Lepidoptera larvae). It only activates in insects with alkaline guts and biodegrades quickly in sunlight, minimizing impact on non-target species like monarch butterflies. Bt is widely used in organic farming and is a trusted organic pesticide for vegetables.

Biological Insecticides

These organic pesticides are made from beneficial bacteria or fungi that target specific pests like caterpillars, fire blight, fungus gnats, and grasshoppers. They are safe for humans, animals, and pollinators. For best results, apply in the morning or late afternoon with slightly acidic water (pH 5–6).

Botanical Insecticides & Fungicides

Plant-derived natural pesticides like pyrethrin, rotenone, and sabadilla act fast and degrade quickly. Though safer than synthetic chemicals, they can harm beneficial insects if overused and should be reserved for serious infestations. Always wear protective gear and follow label instructions closely.

Neem-Based Products

  • Neem Extracts: Azadirachtin, from neem tree seeds, interferes with insect growth and feeding. It's effective against a wide range of pests, though it may affect some beneficial insects. Use with caution.
  • Neem Oil: A broad-spectrum organic pesticide that also acts as a fungicide and miticide. It suffocates soft-bodied insects like whiteflies and aphids on contact and prevents fungal growth. Apply during low bee activity.

Oil-Based Pesticides

These garden safe pesticides smother overwintering pests like aphids, scales, and mites. Often used as dormant sprays or during growing season, they are effective but may not be necessary for small gardens without severe pest issues.

Pyrethrins

Extracted from chrysanthemum flowers, pyrethrin is a powerful natural pesticide with a “knock-down” effect that dislodges and kills a wide range of pests including beetles, fleas, and mosquitoes. While toxic to fish and mildly harmful to beneficial insects, it is considered one of the safest botanical options. Avoid formulations with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) if adhering strictly to organic certification.

Spinosad

A fermented bacterium-based organic pesticide that targets worms and other chewing insects. It has low toxicity to humans and most beneficial insects, making it ideal for organic pesticides for garden and vegetable use.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

When using organic pesticides, prioritize those that are pest-specific and safe for pollinators, pets, and soil life. Homemade sprays made with neem oil or mild liquid soap can control pests like mealy bugs and spider mites without synthetic chemicals. Wear gloves during application and avoid spraying during pollinator activity to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.