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Weeds are adapted to conditions in the area where they grow. Many weeds appear to spring up wherever the soil is cultivated. Some are simply the result of the conditions of your landscape. Even though most people think of weeds as a bother, some of the most common garden weeds are actually helpful herbs.
Many common herbs can be easily mistaken for weeds due to their appearance and growth habits. While weeds are often seen as unwanted plants, herbs offer a multitude of benefits from culinary to medicinal uses. It’s important for gardeners to be able to identify herbs correctly to avoid accidentally removing valuable plants. Let’s explore some of the most common herbs that resemble weeds.
Oregano
Oregano is a widely used herb in many cuisines, especially Italian and Mediterranean dishes Its leaves look very similar to marijuana leaves which leads many novice gardeners to mistakenly pull them as weeds. However, oregano offers a wonderful pungent, slightly bitter flavor perfect for pasta sauces, pizza, roasted vegetables and more This perennial herb also has natural antibacterial properties.
To identify oregano, look for green oval leaves with scalloped edges and small white or pink flowers. Crush the leaves and smell the potent aroma. Oregano spreads readily so contain it or harvest often.
Mint
The vigorous spreading nature of mint makes it seem weedy to many gardeners. However the menthol flavor of mint is popular for teas, desserts, jellies and cosmetics. Mint comes in many varieties including spearmint, peppermint, lemon mint, chocolate mint, pineapple mint and more.
Mint has square stems with toothed leaves and tiny bell shaped flowers. It spreads rapidly via underground rhizomes. For this reason, it’s best grown in containers unless you want it taking over your garden!
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is one of the many herbs in the mint family. Its wrinkled, heart shaped leaves look weedy but they contain a lovely lemon scent. It has a calming effect and is used in teas and herbal remedies.
To identify lemon balm, rub the leaves and smell the lemony fragrance. It produces small white or pink flowers. Like mint, it can spread prolifically so harvest often or contain it.
Chamomile
Chamomile is easily recognized by its fern-like, frilly leaves and daisy-like white flowers with yellow centers. It self-seeds readily so can pop up in unwanted places. However, chamomile has a sweet, apple-like flavor perfect for teas. It also has medicinal benefits for digestion and skin care.
To control its spread, harvest flowers as they appear and don’t allow the plants to go to seed. Chamomile prefers cool conditions and does well even when neglected.
Borage
Borage is grown as an herb but often reseeds so profusely that it seems weedy. Its leaves resemble fuzzy cucumber leaves but with a unique flavor described as a cucumber-sage combination. Borage flowers are star-shaped and bright blue. Both leaves and flowers are edible and used in salads or as garnishes.
Allowing borage plants to bloom helps pollinators like bees. To control spread, pick flowers before they set seed. Borage leaves are also covered in prickly hairs so wear gloves when handling.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is often considered a nuisance weed due to the stinging compounds in its leaves and stems that cause skin irritation. However, once blanched or cooked, the stinging compounds are neutralized. Nettle has many nutrients and health benefits when consumed as a cooked green or in tea. It also makes a strong fiber for textiles.
Nettle has sharply serrated, elongated leaves and tiny green flowers. It favors moist soils with partial shade. Use care when harvesting and wear gloves to avoid stings. Cooking removes the sting.
Dandelion
Dandelions are better known as persistent lawn and garden weeds. However, the entire plant is edible. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or sandwiches. Mature leaves and roots are cooked. Flowers are made into wine or battered and fried into fritters. Dandelion has uses as a medicinal herb as well.
To identify, look for the bright yellow composite flowers and lobed leaves with jagged edges. Dandelions spread readily via wind borne seeds. Use care when foraging to avoid plants treated with chemicals.
Purslane
Purslane pops up in many gardens without being planted. It spreads via tiny black seeds that germinate in late spring. Though often considered a weed, purslane is nutritious and succulent with a tangy, lemon-like flavor. The leaves, stems and flowers are eaten raw in salads or cooked.
Identify purslane by its red stem and smooth, fleshy tongue or teardrop shaped leaves. It forms a mat-like groundcover with tiny yellow flowers. Use purslane promptly after harvesting and avoid plants treated with herbicides.
Plantain
Plantain is sometimes called “white man’s footprint” because it seemed to spring up wherever European settlers went. It thrives in compacted or disturbed soils. Plantain is considered a weed by many, especially in lawns. However, it has healing properties when applied topically or consumed. Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.
This perennial herbaceous plant has oval, ribbed leaves with fibrous roots. Look for the small green cylindrical flowers on a tall stalk. It spreads readily via seeds. Harvest young leaves for eating.
Lamb’s Quarters
Lamb’s quarters is another prolific weed that spreads quickly via seeds. While largely considered a nuisance, lamb’s quarters is actually a nutritional powerhouse. Its leaves are high in vitamins and minerals. The young leaves taste similar to spinach and can be eaten raw or cooked. Lamb’s quarters also has medicinal benefits.
Identify lamb’s quarters by its pale green diamond-shaped leaves with a white, waxy coating. Tiny green flowers form clusters at the ends of branches. Consume lamb’s quarters in moderation as the leaves contain oxalic acid.
Wood Sorrel
Wood sorrel goes by many names including shamrock, sourgrass and sleepy seed. It’s often considered a stubborn lawn and garden weed. However, wood sorrel has an acid flavor akin to lemons and is used for culinary purposes or to make a lemonade-like drink. The leaves contain vitamin C and were used to prevent scurvy.
Look for shamrock-shaped compound leaves with tiny yellow flowers. The stems and leaves contain oxalic acid giving them a tart, lemony taste. Wood sorrel spreads quickly via rhizomes and seed pods.
Don’t let first impressions fool you! Many herbs that resemble pesky weeds actually offer delicious flavors, nutrients and health benefits. A bit of herb identification knowledge goes a long way in recognizing valuable plants versus undesirable weeds. Your cooking and gardening will benefit from getting to know these herbs hiding in weed’s clothing.
Common Weeds Used as Beneficial Herbs
There are a number of weeds used as beneficial herbs. Some of the most common ones include the following:
- The goldenrod plant that most people grow is a natural “weed” that has been used as an herb all over the world. Its genus name, Soledago, means “to make whole. Indigenous people used it to treat breathing problems in the past. People have also used the plant to treat diabetes, tuberculosis, and wounds. When goldenrod leaves are dried, they can be made into a tea that can help with stress and pain.
- Dandelion: Another weed that is used as a good herb is the dandelions. Its name comes from the French phrase “dents de lion,” which means “lion teeth.” It’s also called puffball because when it goes to seed, it turns into a white puffball. Dandelion seeds are a good source of minerals like iron, potassium, and zinc, as well as vitamins A, B complex, C, and D. Many people just perceive them as annoying weeds. People have eaten the herb to help their digestion, get rid of warts, and ease the symptoms of the common cold and PMS.
- Plantain: Plantain grass is the most common grass there is. This noxious weed can quickly fill the lawn. Native Americans often called plantain “Whiteman’s Foot” because they thought it grew everywhere white people went. People say it has astringent properties that make the skin less irritated. Because of this, it has been used to treat minor skin irritations like stings, bites, burns, and cuts.
- Wild Garlic—Wild garlic is another weed that keeps showing up in the lawn. People often mix up this little herb with the wild onion, but a lot of people hate the plant. But its juice can be used to get rid of moths, and the whole plant is said to keep bugs and moles away.
- Wild Strawberry—There’s a bad reputation for the wild strawberry because it spreads so quickly. But the plant is not only edible, it is also good for you in many ways. Some of them are as an anticoagulant, an antiseptic, and a fever reducer. You can also crush the fresh leaves and put them on wounds, boils, burns, ringworm, and bug bites to help heal them.
- Chickweed—This is likely one of the most common weeds in the world. That being said, this groundcover that spreads quickly tastes great in salads, soups, or as a garnish. This so-called weed also has a lot of calcium, potassium, vitamins A, B, and C.
- Feverfew: Feverfew is a weedy perennial flower in the daisy family that usually grows where the ground has been tilled. The whole plant can be used as medicine to treat things like arthritis and migraine headaches.
- Yarrow—Yarrow, also known as devil’s nettle, can be hard to keep under control in the garden or lawn, but its fragrant, feathery leaves give salads a peppery taste. People also say that the plant’s oil can keep bugs away when the leaves are crushed, and it was thought to be used to stop wounds from bleeding.
- The plant mullein is also often thought of as a weed in the garden or lawn. Still, mullein has been shown to help with coughs, sore throats, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, and respiratory diseases.
Some of the most common weeds in lawns and gardens can be eaten or used as medicine, and many of them also grow pretty flowers. So, before you pluck that weed from the garden, give it another good look. You may be surprised to learn that your so-called weed requires a space in the herb garden instead.
Herbal Backyard Weeds-Herbs To Look For In Spring
FAQ
Are there any trailing herbs?
Are herbs considered weeds?