The plot revolves around a widowed housewife (Mary-Louise Parker) from an affluent California suburb who becomes her neighborhood's marijuana dealer to make ends meet. The title is a play on words, referring to both the slang term for marijuana and widow's weeds, it also refers to the tendency of American suburbs to grow quickly and pervasively, with the dwellings and their residents being almost as indistinguishable as weeds; this is mirrored in the show's theme song "Little Boxes" and opening credits, and is a recurring theme of the show itself. The theme song changes in the second season. The change consists of a different vocalist every episode.