You might often see certain plants in your yard labeled as weeds and assume they’re just nuisances. However, some of these common “weeds” actually provide surprising benefits to your garden and the environment around you.
Understanding which weeds can be helpful allows you to make better decisions about managing your outdoor space. This article will introduce you to ten common varieties that offer value beyond what you might expect.
Dandelion – edible leaves and roots, great for soil health
You can eat dandelion leaves and roots, which are nutritious and add variety to your meals. The leaves are tender when young and pack vitamins like A and C.
Dandelions also help your soil by breaking up compacted earth with their deep roots. This improves aeration and nutrient flow, benefiting nearby plants.
Clover – fixes nitrogen and attracts pollinators
When you plant clover, you add natural nitrogen to your soil. This helps other plants grow without needing extra fertilizers.
Clover’s flowers attract pollinators like bees, which can boost your garden’s health. You might also notice fewer pests because clover supports beneficial insects. If you want a low-maintenance lawn, clover can reduce weeds and stay green with less water. It’s a friendly helper for your garden.
Nettles – nutritious for tea and cooking
You can use nettles fresh or dried to make a nutritious tea that’s rich in vitamins and minerals. When cooked, nettles lose their sting and become a tasty green, similar to spinach.
Including nettles in your meals adds iron, calcium, and antioxidants. Just be sure to handle them with gloves before cooking to avoid irritation.
Chickweed – edible salad green rich in vitamins
You can easily add chickweed to your salads for a fresh, mild flavor. It’s packed with vitamins like A, C, and some B vitamins, which support your skin and immune health.
Chickweed grows quickly and is often found in gardens, making it easy to harvest. Just be sure to correctly identify it to avoid any lookalikes that aren’t edible.
Purslane – succulent leaves high in omega-3s
You might overlook purslane since it’s often seen as a weed. However, it’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids, more than most leafy greens you’ll find.
The leaves are succulent, with a slightly tangy flavor that works well in salads or sautés. Adding purslane to your meals can boost your nutrient intake easily.
Lambsquarter – nutrient-dense leafy green
You might find lambsquarter growing in your garden without noticing it. This weed is a nutritious leafy green packed with calcium and vitamins.
You can use lambsquarter like spinach in salads, soups, or sautés. It’s a simple way to add more nutrients to your meals.
Violets – edible flowers and leaves
You might find violets growing in your garden. Both their flowers and leaves are edible.
You can add violet flowers to salads or use them as a pretty garnish. The leaves have a mild taste and work well in salads or cooked like spinach. These little plants are easy to find and can be a tasty, natural addition to your meals.
Plantain – soothing for skin and digestive health
You can use plantain leaves to soothe minor skin irritations like insect bites and small cuts. Its natural properties may help reduce inflammation and speed up healing.
Drinking plantain tea might ease digestive discomfort and calm inflamed intestinal tissues. It’s a simple, natural option to support your digestive health.
Creeping Charlie – ground cover that supports pollinators
You might see Creeping Charlie as a weed, but it actually provides good ground cover. Its low-growing nature helps protect soil from erosion.
When it flowers, it attracts pollinators like bees, offering them an important food source. You can hand-pull it easily if it spreads too much, making it a manageable choice for your garden.
Kudzu – edible leaves and roots, natural erosion control
You can eat the leaves and roots of kudzu, which are nutritious and have been used in traditional foods. Kudzu also helps control soil erosion because it grows quickly and covers bare ground.
Be aware that kudzu spreads fast and can take over areas, so managing its growth is important for your garden or landscape.