Dill Anethum graveolens
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an annual herb in the Apiaceae family. It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 25–40 cm (10–16 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Dill in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Dill at a glance
| Type | Annual herb |
|---|---|
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 25–40 cm (10–16 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–11 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 70 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: leaves, seeds, flowers |
| Common in gardens of | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Dill toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Dill is non-toxic to people and pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Dill
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Carrot: Mature dill can cross-pollinate with carrot family seed crops and shares carrot fly; young dill near carrots is fine. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Carrot fly: Carrot fly also attacks parsnip, celery and parsley; mesh or barriers protect them all. Evidence B
Questions about Dill
- How far apart should I plant Dill?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–40 cm (10–16 in).
- Does Dill need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Dill need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Dill?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Dill flower?
- About 9–11 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Dill poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Dill is non-toxic to people and pets.
- What grows well with Dill?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Dill. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Carrot Daucus carota subsp. sativus
- Parsley Petroselinum crispum
- Celery Apium graveolens
- Coriander (cilantro) Coriandrum sativum
- Parsnip Pastinaca sativa
- Celeriac Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
- Florence fennel Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum
- Mitsuba Cryptotaenia japonica