Weeds are the outdoor version of dust bunnies—they seem to quadruple when your back is turned. But unlike dust bunnies, those pesky wild plants growing in your yard might actually have some benefits. (Which is good, because you can’t just vacuum them up.)
Rebecca Sears, the chief marketing officer and “resident green thumb” at home gardening company Ferry-Morse, recommends identifying the types of weeds you have before getting rid of them. “While often given a bad reputation, certain varieties can improve soil health, reduce erosion, stabilize soil structure, and even help relieve compaction,” she says.
Here are three weeds that can actually help your garden.
Clover
There are several varieties of this plant, but the most common kind that pops up in yards is white clover. It has so many environmental benefits that many homeowners are establishing clover lawns to attract pollinators, eliminate herbicides, and cut down on mowing. Clover also prevents other weeds from growing and helps soil retain moisture.
Broadleaf Plantain
Not related to the starchy, banana-like fruit, this plant has a cluster of leaves that form a circle close to the ground and tall green shoots that are covered in seeds. The roots of the broadleaf plantain can improve soil structure by creating channels that allow water and air to move more freely through the ground. “This can help reduce compaction and improve drainage over time,” explains Sears. “Low-growing weeds can also help protect bare soil from erosion caused by wind and rain.”
Dandelions
“Having deep-rooted weeds like dandelions in your garden can help balance your soil through a process called nutrient mining or cycling,” says Sears. “They use their deep roots to pull minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium up from the deeper layers of soil.”
Even when dandelion plants die or are mowed down, they still have benefits, according to Sears. “Some of those nutrients are returned to the topsoil, where shallow-rooted garden plants can access them more easily,” she says.
