How to Grow Dill: The Fresh, Fragrant Herb for Every Garden

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is the feathery, aromatic herb that makes pickles taste like pickles. Its delicate fronds add brightness to fish, soups, salads, and dips, while its seeds are prized in spice mixes. Growing dill is rewarding, easy, and perfect for both garden beds and containers.

Understanding Dill

Family: Apiaceae (same as parsley, carrots, fennel, and cilantro)
Type: Annual herb (self-seeds freely, so it often feels perennial)
Height: 2–4 feet tall depending on the variety
Flavor: Fresh, slightly tangy, with a hint of anise and citrus

Best Growing Conditions

USDA Zones: 3–11 (annual everywhere, but thrives in cooler spring/fall weather)
Light: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
Soil: Well-draining, moderately rich soil
pH: 5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Dill prefers cool weather but hates being transplanted, so sow it where it will grow.

Planting Dill

From Seed

Timing: Direct sow in spring after the last frost, or late summer for a fall crop.
Soil prep: Loosen soil and mix in compost.
Sowing depth: ¼ inch deep, cover lightly with soil.
Spacing: Thin to 12–18 inches apart once seedlings are 2–3 inches tall.

Succession Planting

Sow every 2–3 weeks for a steady supply of fresh fronds.
Once dill bolts (flowers), leaves lose flavor - stagger plantings to avoid gaps.

Growing Dill in Containers

Container size: At least 10–12 inches deep (dill has a long taproot).
Soil: Light, well-draining potting mix with compost mixed in.
Planting: Sow directly in the container; avoid transplanting.
Tip: Dwarf or compact dill varieties like ‘Fernleaf’ are best for pots.

Care & Maintenance

Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy. Mulching helps retain moisture.
Fertilizer: Too much nitrogen = floppy plants. A light compost feed is usually enough.
Thinning: Allow air circulation to prevent mildew.

Harvesting Dill

Leaves (fronds): Start harvesting when plants are 6–8 inches tall. Snip regularly to encourage more growth.
Flowers: Harvest flower heads when in full bloom to use in pickling.
Seeds: Allow flower heads to dry on the plant, then cut and place in a paper bag to collect seeds.

Companion Planting with Dill

Good companions: Cucumbers, cabbage family crops, onions, lettuce.
Attracts: Pollinators, beneficial insects like lacewings and ladybugs, and swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.
Avoid: Carrots (can cross-pollinate and stunt each other), tomatoes (dill can attract tomato hornworms).

Tips for Success

Plant dill near cucumbers for the classic garden duo.
Stake tall varieties to prevent lodging (falling over).
Let at least a few plants flower - they’ll reseed for next year and bring in beneficial insects.
For continuous fresh flavor, grow both early spring and late summer crops.

⚠ Cautions & Considerations

Dill bolts quickly in hot weather - in warm climates, grow in spring and fall, not midsummer.
Dill can cross-pollinate with fennel, affecting seed flavor. Plant them apart.
Self-seeding can get out of hand. If you don’t want a dill jungle, snip flowers before they go to seed.
Avoid transplanting - its taproot doesn’t like being disturbed. Always direct sow.

Dill is one of those herbs that practically grows itself once you know its quirks. With minimal care, you’ll have fresh fronds for the kitchen, flowers for pollinators, and seeds for spice jars. Whether in a raised bed or a patio pot, dill is an herb worth the space.