Plants
Dill
Anethum graveolens · Apiaceae
Dill, the classic pickling herb, is one of the most popular culinary herbs of all — its fine, aniseed-fresh flavour is indispensable in fish dishes, salads and pickled cucumbers. As a potted plant it is a little more demanding than its reputation suggests, but with a few tricks it does well. We buy our herb pots fresh via the Veiling Rhein-Maas, sown sturdily rather than overcrowded.
- Light
- Sunny to lightly part-shaded.
- Watering
- Regular — evenly moist, but without waterlogging.
- Care level
- Medium
- Botanical
- Anethum graveolens
Dill is an annual umbellifer related to carrot, fennel and chervil. From the fine, thread-like foliage through the yellow-green flower umbels to the seeds, the whole plant is aromatic and edible — dill tips, dill flowers and dill seed each have their own use in the kitchen.
The most common mistake with supermarket dill pots: they are sown far too densely and collapse within days. Dividing the root ball into two or three portions after purchase and potting them on extends the harvest considerably. Dill does even better sown directly into a box or bed from April — it roots deeply and resents transplanting.
Dill is happiest in sun to light partial shade in evenly moist, humus-rich soil. Drought stress and heat make it bolt into flower early, leaving the foliage sparse. Harvest continuously and re-sow every three to four weeks and you will have fresh dill tips all summer.
The umbrella-shaped flower heads are an insider tip in our floristry work: dill — also traded as cut stems under Anethum — gives summery, meadow-style bouquets an airy, green-yellow structure with a delicately spicy scent.
In the garden, dill is also a good neighbour for cucumbers and carrots and a valuable insect plant: hoverflies and parasitic wasps love the umbels, and swallowtail caterpillars happily feed on umbellifers like it.
Is Dill toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
Dill is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and children and is traditionally even valued as a stomach-friendly culinary herb. Very large amounts can upset sensitive stomachs, but in everyday handling the plant is harmless.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01A sunny to lightly part-shaded, airy spot.
- 02Keep evenly moist — drought stress makes dill bolt early.
- 03Divide densely sown shop-bought pots and move them into larger containers.
- 04Harvest continuously and re-sow every three to four weeks from April.
- 05Do not transplant; sow directly — dill is a deep-rooter.
- 06Feed only lightly; over-fertilised foliage loses flavour.
Frequently asked
- Why does my supermarket dill pot die so quickly?
- Supermarket herb pots are sown extremely densely and forced for quick sale — the many seedlings compete for water and light. Divide the root ball into two or three parts, pot them into larger containers with fresh soil and keep them bright and evenly moist; the dill will then last weeks instead of days.
- Is dill toxic to cats or dogs?
- No, dill is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs and is safe around children too. The occasional nibble on the fronds is no problem — only very large amounts might upset the stomach.
- Why does my dill flower so quickly?
- Dill bolts into flower early under heat, drought stress or in a pot that is too small, and then produces little fine foliage. Even moisture, a deep container and regular harvesting delay this. The flowers are no loss, by the way: they are edible and a classic in the pickle jar.
- Can you grow dill indoors on the windowsill?
- For a few weeks of harvest, yes; permanently, not really. Dill needs plenty of light and air; indoors it quickly grows leggy and flops over. A very bright window, or better a balcony box from April, is the more reliable solution.