🌿 Dill

Anethum graveolens

herbs Annual herb Apiaceae

☀️ Sun

Full sun; 6-8 hours daily. Shade reduces essential oil.

💧 Water

Consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist. Drought causes bolting.

🗺️ Zones

Annual everywhere; grows best in USDA zones 2-11

🧪 Soil pH

5.5-6.5 (prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil)

🪴 Soil Type

Rich, well-draining; pH 5.5-6.5. Tolerates poor soil.

📏 Spacing

10-12 inches apart

📐 Height

24-48 inches (taller varieties to 60 inches)

⏱️ Maturity

40-60 days for leaves (dill weed); 85-105 days for seeds

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ Leaves (dill weed) 🍽️ Seeds 🍽️ Flowers

Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone

🤝 Companions (26)

🤝 Arugula

Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on flea beetles and aphids attacking arugula.

🤝 Bok Choy (Pak Choi)

Dill attracts parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms on bok choy.

🤝 Broccoli

Dill attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms and aphids on broccoli.

🤝 Brussels Sprouts

Dill attracts predatory insects that control cabbage loopers and aphids on Brussels sprouts.

🤝 Cabbage

Dill attracts beneficial wasps that control cabbage moths and aphids; classic brassica companion.

🤝 Carrot

Dill attracts beneficial insects including parasitic wasps and hoverflies that protect carrots from pests. However, mature dill going to seed may inhibit nearby carrots. Keep dill young and harvest before flowering.

🤝 Cauliflower

Dill's beneficial insects protect cauliflower from cabbage worms and aphids.

🤝 Chervil

Both attract beneficial insects; shared growing needs.

🤝 Cilantro / Coriander

Dill attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pests on cilantro; umbellifer companion.

🤝 Collard Greens

Dill attracts parasitic wasps that target cabbage pests on collards.

🤝 Corn

Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on corn earworms.

🤝 Cucumber

Dill attracts pollinators and predatory insects for cucumbers; may improve cucumber flavor.

🤝 Kale

Dill attracts braconid wasps that parasitize cabbage worms on kale; strong aromatic companion.

🤝 Kohlrabi

Dill attracts beneficial insects that control cabbage worms and flea beetles on kohlrabi.

🤝 Lettuce

Dill repels some lettuce pests; light shade from dill helps prevent bolting.

🤝 Mustard Greens

Dill's beneficial insects protect mustard greens from cabbage-family pests.

🤝 Onions

Dill and onions support each other; combined pest deterrence.

🤝 Rutabaga (Swede)

Dill attracts wasps that control cabbage root maggots and aphids on rutabaga.

🤝 Summer Squash

Dill attracts beneficial insects and pollinators that support summer squash production.

🤝 Sweet Potato

Dill attracts beneficial insects that control sweet potato pests; low-growing companion.

🤝 Turnip

Dill attracts beneficial insects that control aphids and flea beetles on turnips.

🤝 Winter Squash

Dill attracts pollinators and predatory insects to winter squash; improves pest control.

🤝 Zucchini

Dill attracts pollinators essential for zucchini fruit set; beneficial insect habitat.

⚠️ Keep Apart (4)

⚠️ Angelica

Incompatible; mutual growth inhibition.

⚠️ Fennel

Cross-pollination ruins both seed crops; fennel's allelopathy affects dill.

⚠️ Parsnip

Dill is closely related to parsnip (both Apiaceae) , cross-pollination risk if both flower, and dill may stunt young carrot growth.

⚠️ Tomatoes

Mature dill (bolting/going to seed) can inhibit tomato growth through allelopathic compounds. However, young dill is beneficial: it attracts parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and predatory insects that control tomato hornworms and aphids. Keep young dill near tomatoes but remove before it flowers and sets seed.

💊 Medicinal Uses

Conditions Treated

💊 Infant colic and gas (the classic 'gripe water' ingredient , dill water) 💊 Adult digestive issues (gas, bloating, indigestion, stomach cramps) 💊 Insomnia (mild sedative , especially the seeds) 💊 Hiccups (traditional remedy) 💊 Bad breath (antimicrobial; chewed seeds) 💊 Breastfeeding issues (galactagogue , promotes milk flow) 💊 Menstrual cramps (antispasmodic) 💊 Respiratory congestion (mild expectorant)

Preparation Methods

Dill water (gripe water): 1 tsp crushed dill seeds steeped in 1 cup boiling water; strain; give 1-2 tsp to infants for colic (must be properly diluted)
Dill tea for adults: 1-2 tsp seeds or fresh herb steeped 10 min for digestive relief
Chewing seeds: Chew 1 tsp dill seeds for bad breath and digestive aid after meals
Tincture: 1:5 in 40% alcohol; 2-4ml for digestive spasms
Poultice: Crushed fresh herb applied to swollen breasts (mastitis)
Infused oil: Dill in olive oil for abdominal massage (colic, gas)

Active Compounds

⚗️ Carvone ⚗️ Limonene ⚗️ Apiol ⚗️ Flavonoids ⚗️ Furanocoumarins

⚠️ Safety

Generally very safe. Dill seed oil is potent , use diluted. Avoid medicinal doses during pregnancy (apiol can stimulate uterine contractions). Large doses of dill water may be too strong for infants , stick to traditional dilutions. Photosensitizing in large amounts.

📜 History & Folklore

🏛️ Ancient

Ancient Egyptians used dill as a pain reliever (mentioned in Ebers Papyrus, c. 1500 BCE). Greeks and Romans used dill wreaths and burned dill-scented oils. Roman gladiators ate dill before combat for courage.

🏰 Medieval

Used in medieval 'dill water' for colic , one of the most common household remedies. Burned as fumigant. Charms against witchcraft often included dill. 'Dill' from Norse 'dilla' (to lull) , given to babies to help them sleep.

🌿 Folk Medicine

Universal remedy for infant colic across European traditions. 'Meeting house seed' , dill seeds chewed during long church sermons to keep children quiet and prevent hunger. Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch communities still use dill water for colic.

🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Johnny's Selected Seeds Botanical Interests True Leaf Market Burpee Territorial Seed Company

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