7 Weeds That Are Actually Good for Your Garden

I don’t know about you, but if there’s one garden-related task that I could delegate to someone else, it would absolutely be pulling weeds. Try as I might, I can never seem to get through it without blowing out the knees of my jeans or winding up with an aching back the next morning. Sure, those gardening cushions can help, and knee pads admittedly make a big difference. I’d still trade it for planting and watering any day of the week. 

What is a weed anyway? Most of the plants we assign this moniker are natives that simply thrive in our environment. Because of how comfortable they are in your climate, they pop up wherever there is space and can crowd the things we want in our beds. Some weeds, like poison ivy and thistles, can make your task downright painful. Of course, these need to go. But some have properties that make them more useful than nuisance if you know how to use them. 

Some of the things we assign as weeds have nutritional value. Many are important food sources for pollinators. Others enrich the soil just by growing there, making it a more hospitable place for you to grow other things. Let’s take a look at some common plants that have a reputation that’s less than stellar. Their usefulness might surprise you!

Dandelion

	botanical name Taraxacum officinale
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2”-12”
	hardiness zones 3-10

Let’s start with that most notorious of weeds, the dandelion. These little weeds are not native to the United States. They came over from Europe, touted for their medicinal value. That alone is our first hint at their usefulness. However, in some areas of Oregon and Alaska, they do show up on the invasive species list. 

Dandelions spread freely, due in no small part to the wishes of children. Their fluffy seed heads have long been wished upon. Much like birthday candles, blowing on them follows those wishes, and the seeds fly carefree on the breeze until they find a place to land. If they happen to land in a warm, sunny spot, and get a bit of rain, poof, they germinate quickly and set up shop. 

Since they are hardy in nearly every North American zone, we are all familiar with their sunny yellow flowers and fluffy wishing balls. I can’t lie; those ephemeral seed heads still appeal to me, and I’ve been known to bring them home to spread around my own yard. Sounds crazy, right? 

Maybe it’s not so crazy, though. As it turns out, dandelions are pretty darn useful. Many people even grow them on purpose. As a beekeeper, I recognize the importance of these flowers as a vital food source for pollinators. They are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, and they provide a hearty supply of early-season nectar. 

Dandelions also serve as a valuable food source for birds, rabbits, and other animals. Hummingbirds use their fluff to line their nests. How cute is that? 

In addition to supporting a diverse ecosystem, these plants are incredibly nutritious! The greens are full of valuable nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, and D. They also contain a hearty helping of minerals like zinc, iron, and potassium. 

These humble plants have an extensive history of medicinal use. I can’t speak to that very much. I do know that they are effective as a diuretic, for those days when you feel bloated, they make a nice tea. The roots also find use in stimulating the appetite. While you may not care for them sprinkled all over your lawn, they definitely have value. 

Clover

	botanical name Trifolium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3”-36”
	hardiness zones 3-11

You might have trouble finding an actual four-leaf clover. The botanical name for this plant should fill you in on the reason. Trifolium comes from the Latin words tri-, meaning three, and folium, meaning leaf, because they have three-lobed leaves. It doesn’t matter, really, because clovers are lucky to have in the garden either way. 

Clover lawns are popular in many places for their drought tolerance and low-maintenance habits. The lower-growing types, like Dutch white clover, don’t need mowing at all. If you prefer the look of a manicured turfgrass law, this probably isn’t for you. However, if you like things to look a little more natural, adding clover to your lawn might be just the thing to do. 

Clover, like many so-called weeds, is an important food source for pollinators, especially bees. That alone is enough for some gardeners, but there are other great reasons to grow clover, as well. 

Clover is a legume, and legumes are nitrogen fixers. These are plants that pull nitrogen from the air and draw it down into their roots. As a result, they act as a natural fertilizer, adding valuable nitrogen to feed other plants. This is why crimson clover is such a popular cover crop.

Another benefit of using clover as a cover crop is that it crowds out other weeds. You can grow this in your garden beds during the off-season to enrich the soil and keep other weeds to a minimum. Mow before the flowers go to seed if you don’t want it to re-seed itself. Then, use the trimmings as green mulch for your next season of vegetables. 

Finally, clover has an intricate root system. It forms both a long, deep tap root and additional fibrous roots that extend from the taproot. This hearty root system is great for improving the structure of your soil and preventing erosion. It’s also why some species get a rep for being invasive. However, there are North American species out there.

All parts of the clover plant are edible and often used to feed grazing animals. If you have chickens or other livestock, they will love snacking on clover leaves and flowers. You can also make tea out of the roots for human consumption. 

Shepherd’s Purse

	botanical name Capsella bursa-pastoris
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-2’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Shepherd’s purse is a cute little plant in the mustard or Brassica family. This small annual is native to the Mediterranean region and has a long history of medicinal use. While it’s not especially important to the garden, it’s a great little plant to forage for its health and nutritional benefits.

Shepherd’s purse contains a compound called sulforaphane. This compound has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory agent. Historically, it was used for the treatment of menstrual disorders, fever, dysentery, and more. It also shows promise in inhibiting the growth of tumors in animal studies. 

Like other brassicas, shepherd’s purse is edible, though you can overdo it. In large quantities, it can have some unpleasant side effects. You’re unlikely to see any issues by consuming the leaves, shoots, or flowers. Steer clear of consuming the seeds. The vegetative parts of the plant are rich in Vitamin C, as well as iron and calcium. 

Lambsquarters

	botanical name Chenopodium album
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 6’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Lambsquarters are plants in the amaranth family and are usually considered weeds. However, in some areas of the world, they are grown as food crops. The plant is nutritious, containing high levels of vitamins A and C, as well as minerals such as iron, manganese, potassium, calcium, riboflavin, and niacin. The sprouted seeds are especially nutrient-dense. 

In the garden, it has several useful functions. First, it deters leaf miners. If you’ve dealt with these pests, you know that they can leave citrus leaves and other plant foliage looking terrible. They will come after your veggie garden, too, so plant some lambsquarters in your vegetable patch to ward off these pests. 

Since it is high in nitrogen and potassium, it also enriches the soil. You can use it as a green mulch to feed other plants. Because it adds nutrients back into the soil and feeds other plants, it helps to control erosion. Birds like to eat the seed heads, which are a nutritious food source for them.

Pennycress

	botanical name Thlaspi arvense
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4”-24”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Pennycress is another member of the Brassica family, along with cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Like these plants, it is frost-resistant and has great uses in the garden.

You can grow pennycress as a cover crop to improve the soil structure and fertility. The root system holds soil in its place, which prevents erosion. In preventing erosion, it helps to protect water quality, too.

Pennycress is useful as food to more than people, though it is a significant source of protein and amino acids. It’s similar to soy protein in this regard. It’s also great for making animal feed. The leaves and seeds are nutritious food sources for humans and animals. 

Some other interesting products from this plant include biodiesel, which is made from processing the seeds. The leftover seed meal can be turned into aviation fuel. There are many valuable uses for this so-called weed!

Mugwort

	botanical name Artemisia vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

I add mugwort hesitantly, as it can be allelopathic, meaning it can inhibit the growth of other nearby plants. That said, it makes a great suppressor for other weeds, and you can make animal-free fertilizer from it. Fermented mugwort tea is a valuable fertilizer for other plants. 

Mugwort contains volatile chemicals that repel insects, so it’s great for areas near your garden but doesn’t make a good cover crop. Avoid using it in areas where you don’t want it to stay. It’s difficult to get rid of. 

Medicinal use is what has typically made mugwort a popular weed. It’s rich in antioxidants, which can protect cells and reduce the risk of many diseases. You can make an effective insect repellent from it, so it naturally cuts down on the occurrence of insect-transmitted diseases. 

Research is limited, so we don’t recommend it for internal use. As an external preparation, there is more conclusive evidence. It’s a good insect repellant though, so it does have some beneficial uses. 

Chickweed

	botanical name Stellaria media
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3”-20”
	hardiness zones 4-11

Like other flowering weeds, chickweed is a great source of food for pollinators. It makes a good companion plant as it fills in spaces between rows and protects the soil, keeping away other weeds. As the name suggests, chickens love to eat this plant.

Chickweed has fibrous roots, which improve the soil structure and minimize erosion. The roots are shallow, so they won’t compete with deeper roots for nutrients. Some evidence also shows that it makes good green mulch. It prefers fertile soil, so seeing it is a sign that your soil is rich and healthy.

In terms of human consumption, chickweed has a pleasant flavor and contains plenty of nutrients. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Because of its high vitamin C content, it’s good for the immune system. 

Historically, this plant has many medicinal uses. Salves made from the leaves and stems are anti-inflammatory and are used to treat many skin ailments. It has also been used to treat certain infections. We don’t have any authority in that department, though, so always check with a health professional before using herbal remedies.