Common Name Type family Native Range Zone Height Spread Bloom Time Bloom Description Sun Water Maintenance Suggested Use Flower Tolerate |
dill Annual Apiaceae Asia to India 2 to 11 3.00 to 5.00 feet 2.00 to 3.00 feet August to September Yellow Full sun Medium Low Annual Showy, Fragrant Deer |
Dill is an annual best grown in full sun in rich, light, well-drained soils or in deep containers. It is frequently grown in herb, vegetable and flower gardens for its aromatic leaves and seeds, and for ornamental display of its attractive foliage and flowers. Plants thrive with consistent soil moisture and should not be allowed to dry out. Best growth occurs in cool summer climates. Sow seed directly in the ground just before the last spring frost date. Since seedlings can be difficult to transplant, seeds are usually not started indoors. Additional seeds may be planted every two weeks until early summer to extend harvests. Dill seed may be harvested by placing the seed heads in paper bags to dry about 2-3 weeks after flowering (this method will also help prevent self-seeding in the garden). Native to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean, dill has now been widely planted around the globe. It typically grows to 3-5′ tall on stiff hollow stems clad with aromatic, lacy, delicate, blue-green leaves. Scented, yellow flowers bloom in mid-summer in large, flattened, compound umbels (each to 10″ diameter). Flowers are followed by aromatic seed. Leaves are also used in cooking. Dill attracts a number of beneficial insects to the garden (e.g., bees, wasps, butterflies, lacewings, tachinid flies, hover flies and lady beetles) and is a larval plant for the black swallowtail butterfly. |
Information on this page is generally from Missouri Botanical Gardens, Dave’s Garden, All things Plants or Texas Superstar |
This page last updated or reviewed 210629