Dill Companion Plants
Herb60 days to maturity
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an aromatic annual herb grown for both its feathery foliage and its seed, essential to pickling and fish dishes. Its flat-topped yellow flower heads attract a host of beneficial insects, including parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on garden pests. Dill resents transplanting because of its long taproot, so it is best direct-sown where it will grow.
Companion Checker: what grows well with Dill?
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Companion Planting Strategy for Dill
Dill is one of the garden's great insectary plants, its yellow umbels feeding parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and ladybugs that control aphids and cabbage worms. Young dill helps many crops, but it is closely related to carrots and turns on tomatoes once it matures, so placement and timing matter.
Best Companion Plants for Dill
These plants grow well alongside Dill — providing pest control, attracting pollinators, or making better use of your garden space.
Dill attracts parasitic wasps and other beneficial insects that prey on cabbage worms and aphids, helping protect brassicas.
Dill's flowers draw predatory insects that keep aphids off lettuce, and its light, airy foliage does not crowd the low-growing leaves.
Dill and onions are compatible neighbors, with dill's beneficial-attracting blooms complementing the pest-repelling aroma of onions.
What Not to Plant With Dill
Keep these away from Dill. They compete for resources, attract shared pests, or inhibit each other's growth.
Dill and carrots are closely related members of the same family, can cross-pollinate if both flower, and mature dill can stunt carrot root development.
Young dill is fine, but once it matures and flowers it releases compounds that can stunt tomato growth, so it should be kept away from established tomatoes.
How to Grow Dill
- Botanical name
- Anethum graveolens
- Family
- Carrot/Parsley (Apiaceae)
- Sun
- Full sun, 6-8 hours daily
- Water
- Moderate, consistent moisture, about 1-2 inches per week
- Soil
- Well-draining, slightly acidic soil, pH 5.5-6.5
- Spacing
- 12-18 inches apart after thinning
- Planting depth
- Sow seed 1/4 inch deep; direct-sow, since dill resents transplanting due to its taproot
- Germination
- 7-21 days at 60-70F
- Days to maturity
- 40-60 days for leaves; 85-105 days for seed
- When to plant
- Direct-sow after the last frost and succession-sow from spring through midsummer
- Harvest
- Snip foliage as needed; harvest seed heads when the seeds turn tan to brown
Common Dill Problems
Bolting and going to seed quickly
Sow in succession every few weeks for a steady leaf supply, and harvest foliage regularly before plants flower.
Aphids clustering on stems and foliage
Spray them off with water; dill's own flowers attract ladybugs and lacewings that keep populations down, and insecticidal soap helps if needed.
Powdery and downy mildew
Space plants for airflow, water at the base rather than overhead, and remove affected foliage in humid weather.
Swallowtail (parsleyworm) caterpillars eating foliage
These green-and-black striped caterpillars become black swallowtail butterflies; handpick them off prized plants or simply leave a few plants for them.
Dill Companion Planting FAQ
What are the best companion plants for dill?
Dill is an excellent companion for cabbage and other brassicas, drawing parasitic wasps that destroy cabbage worms, and it pairs well with lettuce and onions. Its flowers attract a wide range of beneficial predators.
What should you not plant with dill?
Do not plant dill near carrots, since the two are closely related, can cross-pollinate, and dill can stunt carrot roots. Keep mature dill away from tomatoes as well, because its growth inhibits them once it flowers.
Can you plant dill next to tomatoes?
Young dill is fine and even beneficial near tomatoes, attracting helpful insects, but once it matures and flowers it can stunt tomato growth. If you grow them together, harvest the dill young or keep a few feet of distance.
Should you let dill flower?
Letting some dill flower benefits the garden, since the yellow umbels feed beneficial wasps and hoverflies and produce seed for pickling. For a steady leaf supply, sow in succession and harvest foliage before plants bolt.
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Plan Your Dill Garden
Use our interactive tools to design the perfect garden with Dill and its companions.