Dill is one of those herbs that can make a garden feel a little more alive.

Its soft, feathery foliage looks delicate, but the plant is surprisingly easy to grow. The leaves are useful in the kitchen, the flowers attract beneficial insects and pollinators, and the seeds can be harvested for cooking or saved for planting again.

Dill has also become one of those herbs that occasionally surprises me by showing up in the garden on its own. I started it from seed one year and haven’t needed to plant it again because it reseeds year after year.

I’ll admit that I hardly use dill in the kitchen. Still, I let a few volunteer plants grow because dill is one of my favorite host plants for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

In my Maryland Zone 7 garden, dill fits especially well into the cooler parts of spring and fall. It grows quickly enough that I can make several sowings, harvest the tender leaves while they’re young, and allow selected plants to flower for insects and seed production.

If you’ve never grown herbs from seed before, dill is a wonderful one to try.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Dill?

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an annual herb in the carrot family, Apiaceae.

That makes it related to plants such as:

• Carrots
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Fennel
• Celery

The plant produces:

• Fine, feathery leaves
• Hollow, upright stems
• Flat clusters of yellow flowers
• Aromatic seeds

Almost every stage of the plant can be useful.

The tender foliage is commonly called dill weed, while the mature seeds are used as a spice.

Why Grow Dill?

Dill is worth adding to the garden because it:

• Grows quickly from seed
• Doesn’t require much space
• Works well in raised beds and containers
• Produces edible leaves and seeds
• Attracts beneficial insects
• Can self-seed
• Is excellent for succession planting
• Pairs naturally with many garden vegetables

For a small garden, I especially appreciate plants that serve more than one purpose, and dill definitely does.

What Does Dill Taste Like?

Fresh dill has a distinctive flavor that is:

• Fresh
• Slightly grassy
• Lightly citrusy
• Mildly anise-like

The seeds are stronger and warmer in flavor than the foliage.

Dill works especially well with:

• Potatoes
• Cucumbers
• Fish
• Eggs
• Yogurt-based sauces
• Pickles
• Soups
• Salads

Freshly harvested dill has a much brighter flavor than dried dill weed.

When to Plant Dill

Dill prefers cool to mild weather.

It can be planted in:

• Early spring
• Successive spring sowings
• Late summer
• Fall in climates with sufficiently mild temperatures

In my Maryland Zone 7 garden, spring and fall are the easiest seasons for growing dill.

Hot weather encourages dill to flower quickly, so plants started late in spring may have a much shorter leafy harvest.

When to Plant Dill in Spring

Dill tolerates cool temperatures and can be direct-sown before the last spring frost.

You don’t need to wait until the weather is warm enough for tomatoes or peppers.

For a continuous supply, sow a small amount every:

2 to 3 weeks.

This works much better than planting one large crop and expecting it to provide leaves all season.

Can Dill Handle Frost?

Young dill can tolerate chilly conditions and some light frost, but severe freezes can damage the plants.

If a significant freeze is forecast after plants are established, row cover or frost cloth can provide additional protection.

Fall plants can often continue producing surprisingly late into the season with a little protection.

Does Dill Like Hot Weather?

Not particularly.

Dill can grow during warm weather, but heat encourages it to bolt, meaning the plant shifts from producing lots of tender foliage to producing flowers and seeds.

Once flowering begins, leaf production declines.

Rather than fighting this natural process, I use succession planting to keep younger plants coming along.

How to Plant Dill

Direct Sow Dill Whenever Possible

Dill develops a taproot and generally prefers not to have its roots disturbed.

For that reason, direct sowing is usually the easiest method. Plant the seeds where you want the dill to grow.

If you start plants indoors, use individual pots and transplant them while they’re still young to reduce root disturbance.

How to Plant Dill Seeds

Dill seeds are easy to handle.

Sow them approximately:

¼ inch deep.

You can plant them in rows or scatter them lightly through an herb bed.

Keep the soil evenly moist while the seeds germinate.

Seeds often emerge in approximately:

7 to 14 days, depending on temperature.

How Far Apart Should Dill Be Planted?

For full-size plants, thin seedlings to approximately:

8 to 12 inches apart.

If you’re growing primarily for young foliage, plants can be spaced more closely and thinned through harvesting.

Good spacing improves airflow and allows each plant to branch.

How Much Sun Does Dill Need?

Dill performs best with:

6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

In cool weather, full sun is ideal.

During warmer conditions, a little afternoon shade can reduce stress and help maintain tender foliage for longer.

The Best Soil for Dill

Dill isn’t especially demanding.

It prefers soil that is:

• Well-draining
• Loose
• Moderately fertile
• Rich in organic matter

Before planting, adding finished compost is usually enough to create a good foundation.

Avoid extremely heavy, compacted soil.

Growing Dill in Raised Beds

Dill grows very well in raised beds.

It doesn’t require much ground space, so I can tuck it into openings between vegetables as long as it still receives enough sunlight.

One consideration is height.

Mature flowering dill can become 3 to 5 feet tall, so place it where it won’t unexpectedly shade smaller crops.

Growing Dill in Containers

Dill can grow successfully in containers.

Choose a container that is:

• At least 10 to 12 inches deep
• Well-draining
• Filled with quality potting mix

Deeper containers are helpful because of dill’s taproot.

Compact varieties can be especially useful for container gardens.

Can Dill Grow in a GreenStalk Planter?

Yes, especially if you’re harvesting it primarily for foliage.

Dill can fit into GreenStalk pockets, but keep a few things in mind:

• Choose a compact variety when possible.
• Avoid overcrowding each pocket.
• Keep the planter consistently watered.
• Expect mature flowering plants to become relatively tall.

If I wanted dill primarily for leaves, I’d succession sow small amounts rather than allowing every plant to reach full size.

Caring for Dill

Watering Dill

Dill prefers consistent moisture while plants are young.

Once established, it can tolerate some drying between waterings, but prolonged drought encourages:

• Stress
• Tougher foliage
• Earlier flowering

Water deeply when the upper soil begins to dry.

Avoid keeping the soil constantly saturated.

Mulching Around Dill

A light layer of mulch helps:

• Retain moisture
• Reduce weeds
• Keep soil temperatures more stable

Avoid piling mulch directly against the stems.

Does Dill Need Fertilizer?

Dill usually doesn’t require much fertilizer.

If you’re growing it in healthy soil amended with compost, additional feeding may not be necessary.

Too much nitrogen can create weak, overly lush growth.

Container-grown dill may benefit from occasional light feeding because nutrients wash out of potting mix more quickly.

Succession Planting Is the Secret to Plenty of Dill

Dill doesn’t remain in the leafy stage forever.

Even if you remove flower buds, plants eventually want to reproduce.

Instead of trying to maintain one plant for months, sow new seeds every:

2 to 3 weeks.

This gives you plants at different stages:

• Young seedlings
• Tender leafy plants
• Flowering plants
• Seed-producing plants

It’s one of the easiest ways to keep dill available for the kitchen.

Harvesting Dill

When to Harvest Dill Leaves

You can begin harvesting once plants have developed several sets of feathery leaves.

Young foliage has the best texture and flavor.

Don’t strip a small plant completely. Instead, harvest:

• Individual leaves
• Tender side shoots
• Small portions of the plant

Leave enough growth for the plant to continue developing.

How to Harvest Dill

Use clean garden scissors or simply pinch tender foliage with your fingers.

For the best flavor, harvest during the cooler part of the day. Morning is ideal after dew has dried.

If you need a large amount for cooking, cut stems while leaving enough foliage for continued growth.

Will Dill Regrow After Cutting?

Yes, to a point.

Dill can continue producing foliage after light harvesting. However, it isn’t as vigorous a cut-and-come-again crop as herbs like basil.

Avoid cutting the entire plant to the ground if you want continued growth.

Succession sowing is more reliable than trying to repeatedly regenerate one mature dill plant.

Letting Dill Flower

Why Is My Dill Flowering?

Flowering is completely natural.

The most common triggers include:

• Plant maturity
• Hot weather
• Long summer days
• Drought stress

Once dill bolts, it produces tall stems topped with beautiful yellow flower clusters called umbels.

You can remove early flower stalks to extend leaf production slightly, but eventually the plant will flower anyway.

Should I Let Dill Flower?

I often think it’s worth allowing at least a few plants to flower.

Dill flowers are valuable in the garden because they attract:

• Bees
• Hoverflies
• Parasitic wasps
• Other beneficial insects

These insects can help support pollination and natural pest control throughout the garden.

So even when a dill plant is no longer providing the tender foliage I want, it can still be doing something useful.

Dill Is Excellent for Beneficial Insects

The tiny flowers provide easy access to nectar and pollen, making flowering dill particularly attractive to small beneficial insects.

Hoverflies are especially useful because their larvae feed on aphids.

Parasitic wasps can also help control certain caterpillar pests.

Allowing a few herbs to flower is one simple way to create a more diverse garden ecosystem.

Dill as a Host Plant for Black Swallowtail Butterflies

Dill is also a host plant for black swallowtail caterpillars.

The caterpillars may eat some of the foliage, but if you see distinctive striped caterpillars on your dill, they aren’t necessarily pests you need to remove.

They may eventually become beautiful black swallowtail butterflies.

If possible, I like the idea of planting enough dill to share.

Growing Dill Near Vegetables

Dill can fit well around many vegetables.

It is commonly grown near:

• Cucumbers
• Lettuce
• Brassicas
• Onions

However, I don’t rely heavily on claims that one herb will magically repel every pest from neighboring plants.

I grow dill primarily because:

• I want to harvest it.
• It attracts beneficial insects.
• It fills small garden spaces nicely.

Those are already good reasons to plant it.

Dill and Cucumbers

Dill and cucumbers are a classic combination both in the garden and in the kitchen.

Fresh dill is one of the signature flavors in many cucumber pickles.

If you want dill ready at the same time as pickling cucumbers, stagger your sowings so some plants are flowering or producing seed heads when cucumber harvest begins.

Dill and Brassicas

Flowering dill can attract beneficial insects that prey on or parasitize certain brassica pests.

That makes it an interesting plant to include near:

• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Bok choy

But remember that dill itself doesn’t replace physical protection such as insect netting when pest pressure is heavy.

Common Dill Pests and Diseases

Common Dill Pests

Dill usually experiences relatively few serious pest problems.

Possible visitors include:

• Aphids
• Caterpillars
• Spider mites

Black swallowtail caterpillars may also eat the leaves, but I consider them a welcome part of the garden rather than a traditional pest.

Aphids on Dill

Aphids sometimes cluster on:

• Tender stems
• Flower stalks
• New growth

A strong spray of water can often remove light infestations.

Beneficial insects may also help control them naturally.

Avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum insecticides, especially once the plant is flowering and attracting beneficial insects.

Common Dill Diseases

Dill may occasionally experience:

• Powdery mildew
• Downy mildew
• Root rot

Good prevention includes:

• Providing airflow
• Avoiding overcrowding
• Watering near the soil
• Using well-draining soil

Healthy growing conditions prevent many problems.

Why Is My Dill Turning Yellow?

Yellowing may be caused by:

• Overwatering
• Poor drainage
• Nutrient problems
• Root stress
• Natural aging

If older leaves are yellowing while the plant is flowering and finishing its life cycle, that may simply be normal.

If a young plant suddenly turns yellow, check the roots and soil moisture first.

Why Is My Dill Flopping Over?

Dill naturally becomes tall and somewhat delicate.

Strong wind, heavy rain, or large flower heads can cause mature plants to lean.

If necessary, provide:

• A small stake
• Nearby plant support
• Protection from strong wind

Avoid planting extremely tall varieties in exposed containers that may topple.

Harvesting Dill Flowers and Seeds

When to Harvest Dill Flowers

The flower heads themselves can be harvested while the tiny yellow flowers are open.

They’re often used in:

• Pickling
• Floral arrangements
• Garnishes

If you want seeds, leave the flower heads on the plant longer.

When to Harvest Dill Seeds

After flowering, the seed heads gradually:

• Turn from green to tan or brown
• Become dry
• Develop mature, flat seeds

Harvest when the majority of seeds have turned brown but before they begin scattering everywhere.

Cut the entire seed head and place it upside down in a paper bag.

As it finishes drying, the seeds will fall into the bag.

How to Save Dill Seeds

Dill is one of the easiest herbs for seed saving.

To save seed:

1. Allow healthy plants to flower.
2. Leave the seed heads on the plant until they begin drying.
3. Cut the heads before the seeds scatter.
4. Place them in a paper bag.
5. Allow them to dry completely.
6. Rub the heads gently to release the seeds.
7. Store the dry seeds somewhere cool and dark.

Saved seeds can be used for cooking or planting.

Dill Volunteers in the Garden

If you leave mature seed heads standing, you may discover dill seedlings appearing the following season.

This has happened in my garden, and I consider it one of the fun surprises of letting herbs complete their life cycle.

Volunteer seedlings can be:

• Left where they grow
• Carefully thinned
• Transplanted while very young

Because dill develops a taproot, move volunteers early if you plan to relocate them.

Does Dill Come Back Every Year?

Dill is an annual, so the individual plant doesn’t return after finishing its life cycle.

However, it readily self-seeds.

That’s why it can appear to “come back” year after year. New plants are growing from seeds dropped by the previous generation.

Growing Dill in Fall

Dill can be a wonderful fall herb in Zone 7.

Late summer sowings begin growing as temperatures become more favorable.

Fall dill may:

• Stay leafy longer
• Experience less heat stress
• Grow alongside fall vegetables

As colder weather arrives, frost protection can extend the harvest.

Growing Dill in Maryland

Maryland’s spring and fall seasons work very well for dill.

My general approach is:

Early Spring

Direct sow as the soil becomes workable.

Spring

Succession sow every few weeks.

Summer

Expect plants to flower quickly in the heat and allow some to support beneficial insects.

Late Summer

Start sowing again for fall.

Fall

Harvest tender foliage and protect plants from severe freezes if desired.

This gives me far more dill than expecting one spring planting to last throughout the year.

My Experience Growing Dill

One of my favorite things about dill is how willingly it participates in the garden.

I don’t necessarily have to carefully control every plant. If I let selected dill flower and go to seed, it can surprise me with volunteer seedlings later.

I’ll admit that I hardly use dill in the kitchen, but I let a few volunteers grow because dill is one of my favorite host plants for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

The flowers also bring beneficial insects into the garden, so I don’t see bolting as a total loss.

I may have planted dill because I wanted an herb for the kitchen, but once it flowers, it begins serving another purpose.

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy allowing a few herbs to complete their full life cycle.

A vegetable garden doesn’t always need to be harvested down to the last leaf.

Sometimes leaving something behind creates next year’s plants and today’s habitat.

Dill Growing Checklist

• Direct sow whenever possible.
• Plant during cool spring or fall weather.
• Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep.
• Provide 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.
• Use loose, well-draining soil.
• Thin full-size plants to approximately 8 to 12 inches apart.
• Water consistently while plants establish.
• Avoid overfertilizing.
• Succession sow every 2 to 3 weeks for continuous foliage.
• Harvest leaves while plants are young and tender.
• Allow selected plants to flower for beneficial insects.
• Watch for black swallowtail caterpillars.
• Harvest seeds before they scatter.
• Leave some seed heads if you want volunteer dill next year.

Final Thoughts

Dill is much more than a garnish.

It’s an easy herb for beginners, a useful kitchen crop, a source of seeds, a flower for beneficial insects, and potentially a self-seeding resident of your garden.

If your main goal is fresh dill leaves, the secret is succession planting.

Don’t expect one plant to stay young forever. Plant new dill every few weeks, harvest from the younger plants, and let a few older ones flower.

That way, the same small section of garden can provide food for you, food for beneficial insects, and seeds for next season.

For me, that’s exactly the kind of plant worth making room for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dill easy to grow?

Yes. Dill grows quickly from seed and requires relatively little maintenance, making it a good herb for beginner gardeners.

Should dill be started indoors or direct-sown?

Direct sowing is generally best because dill develops a taproot and doesn’t enjoy root disturbance.

When should I plant dill?

Plant dill during cool spring weather and again in late summer for a fall crop. Make succession sowings every 2 to 3 weeks for continuous leaves.

Does dill need full sun?

Dill grows best with approximately 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, although light afternoon shade can help as temperatures warm.

Can dill grow in containers?

Yes. Choose a container at least 10 to 12 inches deep with good drainage.

Can dill grow in a GreenStalk planter?

Yes, particularly if you grow compact varieties or harvest the plants primarily for foliage. Keep the planter consistently watered.

Why is my dill flowering?

Dill naturally flowers as it matures, and warm weather speeds up the process. Succession sowing is the best way to maintain a supply of tender leaves.

Should I remove dill flowers?

You can remove early flower stalks to extend leafy growth slightly, but I recommend allowing at least a few plants to flower for beneficial insects and seed production.

Does dill attract butterflies?

Yes. Dill is a host plant for black swallowtail caterpillars, which eventually become black swallowtail butterflies.

Will dill come back every year?

The individual plant is annual, but dill readily self-seeds. If seeds fall into the garden, new plants may appear the following season.

How do I harvest dill seeds?

Allow the flower heads to dry until the seeds turn brown, then cut the heads before the seeds scatter and finish drying them in a paper bag.

Related Articles

• How to Grow Basil
• How to Grow Cilantro
• How to Grow Parsley
• How to Grow Chives
• How to Grow Herbs for Beginner Gardeners
• How to Dehydrate Herbs at Home
• How to Freeze Herbs Without Losing Flavor
• Succession Planting for Continuous Harvests
• Organic Gardening for Beginners
• How to Grow Vegetables in Containers
• Vegetable Gardening in Maryland