Dill Anethum graveolens
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this
A fast-growing annual herb with feathery blue-green foliage and flat umbels of tiny yellow flowers. Both the lacy leaves (dill weed) and the seeds are culinary staples for pickling, fish, and dressings. Easy to grow from seed, but it bolts quickly in heat and dislikes being transplanted.
Light
Dill is a sun-lover and needs at least 6–8 hours of direct light a day to grow sturdy and full-flavored. In too little light the stems flop, the foliage thins out, and the plant strains upward toward the brightest window. Give it your sunniest bed or a south-facing spot; on a windowsill it really wants a full southern exposure and often still gets leggy indoors. The one upside of partial afternoon shade is in hot climates, where a little relief in the heat of the day slows the rush to bolt and keeps the leaves coming a few weeks longer.Watering
Aim for about an inch of water a week, keeping the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged while the plant is young and establishing its long taproot. Once established, dill is fairly drought-tolerant and prefers a soak-and-dry rhythm to constant dampness. Water deeply at the base in the morning rather than sprinkling the feathery foliage, which dries slowly and can encourage mildew. Container dill dries out fast and needs checking daily in summer. Let drought-stress build up, though, and you'll trigger early bolting, so don't let it wilt repeatedly in hot weather.Soil & potting
Dill thrives in light, loose, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH around 5.5–6.5. It is not a heavy feeder and actually develops the best aroma in lean, average ground rather than rich, over-amended beds. Work in a little compost for structure, but skip heavy manure. Because it sends down a brittle taproot and resents transplanting, sow seed directly where it will grow. In containers, choose a deep pot at least 10–12 inches to accommodate that root, with a standard well-draining potting mix and good drainage holes.Humidity & temperature
Dill is a cool-season annual happiest between 60 and 75°F, and it grows fastest in the mild stretches of spring and early fall. Sustained heat above 80°F pushes it to flower and set seed quickly, ending the leaf harvest. It tolerates a light frost once established and can even be sown a few weeks before the last spring frost. Average outdoor humidity suits it fine; the bigger concern is air circulation, since crowded, still, damp conditions invite powdery mildew on the fine foliage. Space plants 8–12 inches apart so air moves freely.Fertilizing
Dill needs very little feeding and over-fertilizing actually weakens its flavor and produces soft, floppy growth. If your soil is reasonably fertile, none may be needed at all. For lean soil or container plants, work a little compost into the bed at planting, then offer a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength just once or twice during the season. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which push lush leaves at the expense of the essential oils that give dill its punch. Yellowing lower leaves on a young plant usually point to overwatering or crowding rather than a need for more food.Pruning & maintenance
Begin snipping leaves once the plant has four or five feathery fronds, taking from the outer and upper growth and never more than a third at once. Regular harvesting actually encourages bushier growth and delays bolting, so cut often. Pinch out the central flower stalk the moment it appears if you want to keep the leaf harvest going longer. To collect seed, instead let the yellow umbels bloom and dry on the plant, then snip the seed heads into a paper bag once they turn brown. Harvest leaves in the morning after the dew dries, when the oils are strongest.Propagation
Dill is grown from seed and dislikes transplanting, so sow it directly in the garden where it will stay. Plant seeds about a quarter-inch deep in warm soil after the danger of hard frost, keep them moist, and expect germination in 10–14 days. Thin seedlings to 8–12 inches apart once they have a couple of true leaves. For a steady supply, sow a small batch every two to three weeks through spring and again in late summer. Once flowering, dill self-sows readily — leave a few seed heads and volunteers will often appear the following season.Common problems
Through the year
Spring
Prime sowing time — direct-sow seed a few weeks before the last frost and start succession plantings every couple of weeks for a steady leaf supply.
Summer
Growth races toward flowering in the heat. Harvest leaves often, pinch flower stalks to extend the crop, and water deeply to slow bolting.
Fall
Cooler weather brings a second flush — sow again in late summer for a fall harvest, and let some plants set seed for collecting and self-sowing.
Winter
The annual dies back with hard frost. Save dried seed for next year, or grow a small pot indoors under a bright south window or grow light.
Companion planting
Plant dill near cabbage, broccoli, cucumbers, lettuce, and onions, where it attracts beneficial wasps, hoverflies, and ladybugs that prey on aphids and cabbage worms. Keep it well away from carrots and fennel — it can cross-pollinate or stunt them — and don't plant it close to tomatoes, where mature dill may slow their growth.
Recommended supplies for Dill
- A seed-starting kit
- A raised garden bed kit
- A sturdy hand trowel
- A long-spout watering can
- Neem oil for pests
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