Dill is an annual herb native to the Mediterranean region. While the plant itself may not be particularly well known from a gardening perspective, Dill is generally quite commonly used in the culinary world – specifically in pickling and as a seasoning for fish and soups.
Boasting a fern-like appearance, Dill plants exude an easily recognisable scent and it has feathery leaves and interesting-looking flowers.
With many potential uses, Dill plants can be a great thing to have in your garden. Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow a Dill plant.
What is a Dill Plant?
With the ability to grow up to over a metre tall, Dill plants have thin, feathery leaves that are a light shade of green. The leaves are arranged alternately on the stem and have a delicate, fern-like appearance. It also produces little yellow flowers that are arranged in umbels.
The plant’s seeds are small and brown and may be used as a spice. The plant itself is rather delicate and its signature scent is what it’s known for – in fact, for some, it’s part of the attraction. Dill is an awesome complement to other herbs such as parsley, chives and cilantro. It’s also a great companion plant for cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables. Dill has a distinct slightly sweet and tangy taste and aroma. The leaves, seeds and stems of the plant are all edible and are often used to add flavour to salads, soups, pickles and other things
Dill’s scientific name is Anethum graveolens, and in addition to being a common ingredient in the culinary world, it also has some medicinal properties. For instance, in some traditional medicines, it’s used to aid digestion and relieve gas. Some of its medicinal properties include
- Digestive aid: Dill has been used to help relieve symptoms of indigestion and gas. Its carminative properties may help to relax the muscles of the digestive tract, which can reduce bloating, cramping and gas.
- Antioxidant: Dill contains high amounts of antioxidants which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and may lower the risk of certain types of cancer.
- Anti-inflammatory: Dill has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body. This can help with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
- Sedative: Surprisingly, Dill contains compounds that may have a calming effect on the body, making it useful for treating anxiety and insomnia.
- Antibacterial: The Dill plant has long been used as a traditional remedy for using bacterial infections.
It’s important to note, however, that despite claims about these medicinal uses of Dill, there’s not enough scientific evidence to support the medicinal properties of Dill. Thus, it’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using a herb as a treatment or a supplement.
How to Grow a Dill Plant
As an annual plant, Dill will grow for a season before dying off. However, with that in mind, it’s relatively easy to grow and is still absolutely worth the effort.
Dill can be grown both indoors and outdoors as long as you get its soil and water requirements right. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH of between 6.0 and 7.0.
Dill can be started from seed or seedlings and should be planted about 30 to 45 centimetres apart. It’s essential that the soil is kept consistently moist and that it’s fertilised every four to six weeks with a good, balanced fertiliser.
It’ll be ready to harvest about 40 to 60 days after planting – all you have to do is cut the leaves off as needed or cut the entire plant down to the base when most of the leaves have turned yellow.
One of the best added benefits of growing Dill in your garden is that it’s known to attract specific insects such as ladybugs and lacewings – these insects, among others too, are generally very beneficial for your garden as they contribute to pest control outdoors.
When to Plant a Dill Plant
The best time to plant Dill depends very much on where you live and the climate conditions of your area. In general, Dill should be planted after the last frost date in the spring. This can vary depending on your location, but it’s typically around late April to early May.
If you live in a warmer climate and have a longer growing season, Dill can also be planted in late summer or early autumn for an autumn harvest.
It’s always a good idea, however, to check the weather forecast and soil temperature, because Dill seeds simply won’t germinate if the soil is too cold. A soil temperature of at least 10 degrees Celsius is ideal for germination.
If you like, you can also start Dill indoors about four to six weeks before the last frost of the winter. Then, once the little seedlings are big enough, they can be transplanted outside into the garden. The reason for doing this is that it can help you have an earlier start to the growing season and have Dill ready for harvest earlier than you would have otherwise.
Where to Plant a Dill Plant
Dill plants enjoy full sun and well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Since it’s a tall plant that can grow to over a metre tall, you ought to ensure that it’s planted in a spot where it has enough space to grow.
Dill can be planted in a traditional garden bed, a raised bed or in pots. If you choose to plant it in pots, make sure the pots are large enough and have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain.
On the other hand, Dill can also be planted in a container garden – a perfect option for those with limited space or for those who want to bring the herbs closer to their kitchen for easy access while cooking.
Two additional things to note:
- Remember that Dill attracts beneficial insects because it’s a companion plant. This may mean that you’ll end up with lots of lacewings and ladybugs in the general area, so just bear this in mind when you’re looking for a spot to plant and grow your Dill.
- Plant Dill away from other strong-smelling herbs like fennel, as things like this can inhibit its growth. Conversely, planting Dill near things like cucumber, tomatoes and broccoli can be advantageous to the other plants.
How to Plant a Dill Plant
If you’d like to plant your own Dill, follow these simple steps:
- Choose a location in full sun with well-drained soil. Dill prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil (with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0) as previously mentioned, so ensure that you’re using the right soil and are constantly monitoring it.
- Prepare the soil by removing any debris and weeds. If necessary, add compost or well-rotted manure – this can help improve the soil structure and increase fertility levels.
- Sow Dill seeds directly in the garden after the last frost date in the spring, or start them indoors about four to six weeks before the last frost date.
- To sow the seeds, make shallow trenches in the soil and space them about 30-45 centimetres apart. Ensure that they’re planted about 0.3 centimetres deep.
- Water the soil well and keep the soil consistently moist until germination – which normally takes anywhere between seven and fourteen days.
- Once the seedlings are established, thin them to about 30 to 45 centimetres apart.
- Fertilise your Dill plant every four to six weeks with a well-balanced fertiliser.
- Dill is ready to harvest when the leaves are big enough to use, normally about 40 to 60 days after planting.
- Dill can be harvested by cutting off the leaves as needed or by cutting the entire plant down to the base when most of the leaves have turned yellow.
What is the Meaning of a Dill Plant?
The name “dill” comes from the Old Norse word “dilla” which means “to lull”. This is likely a reference to the sedative properties of the herb, as it was traditionally used to calm colicky babies and promote sleep.
In terms of symbolism, Dill has often been associated with a number of meanings throughout history. In ancient Greece and Rome, Dill was believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and protect against witchcraft. It was also believed to have aphrodisiac properties and was sometimes given to newlyweds as a symbol of fertility.
In some cultures, Dill is also a symbol of wealth and good luck and is sometimes used in traditional folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Of course, the link between fertility and wealth is an age-old one.
Is Dill Easy to Grow?
Dill is generally considered a fairly easy plant to grow, especially since it’s well-suited for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. As long as you follow the steps above for planting and taking care of your plant, you should have a happy and thriving plant in no time.
It’s also relatively best and disease free, making it a good option for both experienced gardeners and novices.
Can You Grow Dill in South Africa?
Dill plants can certainly be grown in South Africa since it is able to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It’s best to plant it in the cooler months, such as during spring or autumn, when temperatures are generally milder. The ideal temperature range for Dill is between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, so Dill should be able to thrive in most parts of South Africa. It’s also a plant that’s pretty tolerant of drought, which is beneficial in a country like South Africa, but it still does best with consistent moisture.
Of course, it’s essential to note that some regions of South Africa can get extremely hot during the summer, and in cases like this, it may be difficult to grow Dill. If this is the case, rather grow your plant in a cooler spot or indoors where you can control the temperature.
Why is Dill So Difficult to Grow?
If you’re struggling to grow, there may be a few reasons – most likely pertaining to climate, water and the alkalinity of the soil. Here are a few reasons why you may be struggling to grow you Dill:
- The soil is too acidic, clay-like or heavy
- Your plant isn’t getting enough sunlight – it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight a day
- The soil is too hot during the germination period
- Your Dill plant is being exposed to frost
If you have all these things in check, Dill shouldn’t be difficult to grow at all. So ensure that you’re doing everything you can to provide your plant with the ideal growing environment and you should be good to go.
How Long Does Dill Take to Grow?
Normally, Dill takes between 40 to 60 days to grow from seed to harvest, but this all depends on factors including the growing conditions, the variety of Dill and the time of year.
Here’s a general overview of the Dill growth cycle:
- Germination: Dill seeds take around seven to 14 days to germinate.
- Seedling stage: Seedlings will emerge from the soil and start growing – this should take one to two weeks.
- Vegetative stage: Your plant will grow taller and develop branches, leaves and flowers. This should take between four and six weeks.
- Reproductive stage: During a period of two to three weeks, your plant will produce seeds.
If you love cooking with Dill or just enjoy pottering about with pots of herbs, Dill is a great choice if you’re up for a little bit of a challenge.