Dill (Anethum graveolens)
[ah-NEE-thum grav-ee-OH-lenz]

Annual Upright, Airy in the Apiaceae Family
A fast-growing culinary herb with feathery, blue-green foliage and airy yellow flowers, best known as the essential flavoring in dill pickles.

Anethum graveolens, commonly known as Dill, is a fast-growing annual herb in the carrot family (Apiaceae), prized for its finely dissected, blue-green, feathery foliage and pungent, anise-like aroma. Native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia, dill has been cultivated for thousands of years both as a culinary herb and for its seeds, which are more pungent than the leaves and are the classic flavoring in dill pickles. Plants grow upright on hollow, ridged stems and produce flat-topped umbels of tiny yellow flowers in mid-to-late summer, followed by flattened, ribbed seeds. Dill has a taproot and resents transplanting, so it is almost always grown from seed sown directly in the garden. It self-seeds readily if flower heads are left to mature and dry in place. As a member of the carrot family, dill is also a larval host plant for black swallowtail butterflies, making it a popular addition to pollinator and butterfly gardens as well as kitchen herb gardens.

Pros

  • Fast-growing, easy from seed, ready to harvest within weeks
  • Aromatic foliage and seeds prized in pickling, salads, and sauces
  • Attracts pollinators and hosts black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars
  • Airy, feathery texture adds contrast to herb and vegetable gardens

Cons

  • Bolts quickly in hot, dry weather, shortening the leaf-harvest window
  • Taproot makes it difficult to transplant; must be direct-sown
  • Self-seeds aggressively if flower heads are left to mature
  • Tall types can flop over without support or shelter from wind
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 5 feet tall. 24 - 36 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium :

Prefers consistently moist soil; do not let it dry out between waterings, or plants may bolt prematurely.
Zones 2a - 11b (Usually hardy to -50° F)
Tags Annual, Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Edible Foliage, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Full Sun, Herb, Medium, Medium
Bloom Period July to September
Flower Color Yellow
Foliage Color Blue-Green
Animals That Use It

Larval Host:
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with cabbage-family crops (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts) and cucumbers, where it can help attract beneficial predatory insects; avoid planting near carrots or fennel, close relatives that can cross-pollinate or compete for similar resources.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!