list of beneficial weeds list of beneficial weeds this is a list of undomesticated or feral plants, generally considered weeds, yet having some positive effects or uses, often being ideal as companion plants in gardens. this is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources. dandelions (taraxacum), a common beneficial weed beneficial weeds can accomplish a number of roles in the garden or yard, including fertilizing the soil, increasing moisture, acting as shelter or living mulch, repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, or serving as food or other resources for human beings. chart beneficial weed chart common namescientific namecompanion plant forattracts/hostsrepelstrapsedibilitymedicinalavoidcomments bashful mimosamimosa pudicaground cover for tomatoes, pepperspredatory beetlesused as a natural ground cover in agriculture caper spurgeeuphorbia lathyrismolesused in french folk medicine as an emetic and purgativemany domesticated animals can eat it, although it is poisonous to humans. primarily edible nettleurtica dioicabroccoli, tomato, valerian, mint, fenneldespite its "sting", young plant parts are edible, as is much of the plant when blanched or otherwise prepared. it can be used to make herbal teaalso once grown as a crop for its fiber. its juice was once used in the place of rennet in cheese-making. it was also a source of "green" for dye. it can still be used as a high-protein additive in animal feed, once dried. nettles prefer soils rich in nutrients beneficial to other plants - particularly nitrogen and phosphorus - and thus can be useful indicators of soil quality. crow garlicallium vinealefruit trees, nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, etc.), brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, etc.) carrotsslugs, aphids, carrot fly, cabbage wormscan be used like conventional chives beans, peas, parsleythis is a wild cousin of onions and garlic wild mustardbrassicaceaegrape vine, radish, non-mustard brassica, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoliladybugstraps various brassica pests, including aphidsseeds and leaves are ediblebeetsdomesticated mustard is a hybrid of three different species of wild mustard, all of which are still used in some places for food. this is known as the triangle of u. wild roserosastrawberries, grapes, rosesrodents and deertraps japanese beetlesrose hips can be used in herbal teasthis includes the feral multiflora rose, brought to the us both for use as root stock for domesticated roses, and as a "natural fence" for livestock. in the mid 20th century miles of multiflora rose hedge were planted in sequence. improves environment for nearby plants borageborago officinalislegumes, brassicas, tomatoesits flowers attract predatory waspscrunchy leaves and flowers can be consumed in saladsborage is one of the most widely-touted traditional medicinal herbs in europe. dandeliontaraxacumany garden plantits flowers attract pollinatorsall parts of the dandelion are edible in seasonused in traditional herbal medicine throughout the world. the common dandelion (taraxacum officinale) contains chemicals that are known to have diuretic properties.dandelions benefits nearby plants through their powerful tap root system. it breaks up hard soil, going deep into the ground, then brings up nutrients other plants could not reach. clovertrifoliumbrassicas like cabbage and broccoliits flowers attract pollinatorsleaves can be eatenused in traditional herbal medicine to "cleanse the blood" and contains micronutrients that may help with goutdon't grow around tomato plants, clover is a legume that makes the soil too fertile. tomato plants need a mild nitrogen deficit to set fruitclover, like most legumes, hosts bacteria that fix nitrogen in the soil, helping fertilize nearby plants. clover also provides ground cover, helping retain water in the soil as a "living mulch", and protecting nearby crops from predation by insect pests. bare earth gardening makes it easier for insects to home in on plants to destroy, the green of the clover prevents this. categories of beneficial weeds pest-repellent neem—repels leaf eating insects edible blackberry—blackberries are rich in nutrients, and their thorny stems can form a barrier against some larger pest mammals. burdock—roots are edible (as are the stalks, but particularly the young leaves.) chickweed (stellaria media)—used in salads and also as ground cover. cornflower—various colors; can be served as edible garnish to decorate salads. flatweed—leaves are edible raw, while roots are edible after being roasted. horsetail—primeval plant that is high in silica; tops are very similar to & may be eaten like asparagus. lamb's quarters—leaves and shoots, raw, also prevents erosion, also distracts leaf miners from nearby crops. nettle—young leaves collected before flowering used as a tea or spinach substitute. plants have use as compost material or for fibre. purslane—prepared raw for salads or sautéed. shepherd's purse—leaves are edible and often sautéed or blanched. watercress—can be eaten raw or cooked; is considered a weed in some cultures (caution required when harvesting wild because of the risk of contracting potentially fatal liver fluke). habitat for beneficial insects wild blackberry—attracts predatory insects, and produces berries. motherwort—attracts bees. joe-pye weed—habitat for pollinators and predatory insects. aster—habitat for predatory insects. shelter plants normal grass can be used as ground cover, especially in nitrogenous soils. trap crops trap crops draw potential pests away from the actual crop intended for cultivation. cowpea—attracts ladybird beetle, so planting around cotton fields protects them from sucking insects. it serves as source of food and niche.