In laboratory and green house investigations, we studied the allelopathic effects of essential oils extracted from aromatic plants cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.), lavender (Lavandula spp.) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) on seed germination of 7 Mediterranean weed species [Amaranthus retroflexus L., Solanum nigrum L., Portulaca oleracea L., Chenopodium album L., Sinapis arvensis L., Lolium spp. and Vicia sativa L]. Each essential oil was tested at 4 concentrations in controlled conditions (Germination chamber: 0.2, 0.6, 1.8 and 5.4 mg I^-1) and in semicontrolled condition (Green house: 5.4, 21.6, 86.4 and 345.6 mg I^-1) and distilled water was used as control. In controlled conditions, the 1.8 and 5.4 mg I^-1 concentrations totally inhibited the seed germination and also showed selectivity. While in semi-controlled condition the 345.6 mg I^-1 concentration of cinnamon essential oil, totally inhibited the seed germination of Amaranthus retroflexus L. The concentration of essentials oils, greater effects on weed susceptibility than the type of oil used. However, cinnamon oil caused drastic inhibitory effects followed by lavender and peppermint. The possible use of essential oils as natural herbicides to control different weeds for sustainable cropping system is discussed.