I'm not the best at gardening, but I've always thought dandelions looked nice, and I can find their seeds easily in a nearby field. I'm considering planting them in my balcony planter since they seem hardy and might survive my lack of expertise. However, I'm curious if there are any downsides to growing dandelions. Do they attract pests, or are there other reasons I should avoid planting them? What really makes a weed undesirable?
3 Answers
Dandelions are often seen as weeds mainly because they can spread quickly and take over lawns. If you plan to grow them, just keep an eye on the seeds as they'll blow around and might annoy your neighbors! But remember, they have their benefits, especially for pollinators, so it really depends on your preferences.
I wouldn't stress too much about growing dandelions in a planter. They are pretty resilient, and while they can be invasive, having them in a pot minimizes the risk. Just be sure to cut them before they go to seed to keep them under control. Plus, you can actually eat the leaves or make teas and wines from the flowers if you're into that! Give it a go, and if they don't work out, you can always try something else later.
Dandelions were originally brought over as a vegetable and are completely edible! You can use the leaves in salads, and people make all sorts of things with them. If you're not bothered by their wildness in a balcony planter, I say go for it! Just manage their growth so they don't take over completely.