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Planting dill seeds in pots


Everything About Growing Dill in Pots

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Growing Dill in Pots? Learn everything you need to know for proper dill plant care in this informative article.

Dill is a biennial herb but grown best as an annual. It can self-seed and keep growing like a perennial if you grow it in clumps on the ground. It’s an excellent choice for your container herb garden, as well.

Dill has feathery green fronds like a fern and has a sweet aroma like licorice and anise seeds. This popular kitchen herb is used both as a spice and herb. Harvest the fresh fronds to prepare salads, vegetables, sauces, meat, seafood, fish and curry dishes and use the seeds to flavor pickles, stews, sauerkraut, rice, and bread.

Botanical Name: Anethum graveolens

Other Names: American Dill, Aneth, Aneth Odorant, Anethi Fructus, Anethi Herba, Anethum sowa, Dill Herb, Dill Weed, Dillweed, Dilly, Eneldo, European Dill, Faux Anis, Fenouil Bâtard, Fenouil Puant, Huile d’Aneth, Indian Dill, Madhura, Peucedanum graveolens, Sua, Satahva, Shatpushpa, Sotapa, Sowa

USDA Zones: 3 to 11

Type of Plant: Biennial, grown as an annual.

Plant form and Size: Dill has feathery foliage that can grow up to 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. (Depending on the variety)

Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.5

Types of Dill

Dill has a range of varieties from Bouquet, Superdukat, Fernleaf, and Long Island Mammoth. Out of these, the Superdukat is particularly preferred for cooking needs and to grow in a pot, compared to Long Island Mammoth.

1. Bouquet

This showy variety has bright yellow flowers. This variety can grow large, usually between 24 to 36 inches tall. Because of this, it is best grown outdoors. Just be sure to plant this variety after the danger of frost has passed.

2. Superdukat

This compact hybrid variety of Dill is grown specifically to be more flavorful, and the size makes it suitable for container planting. This cultivar can grow between 12-24 inches tall but is slower to grow compared to Bouquet Dill. It is also reluctant to decline, so it has the benefit of being used for a more extended period. If you prefer more leaves than seeds, this is the variety to grow.

3. Fernleaf

A dwarf variety of Dill, this can be a great window garden plant for indoor growers as it doesn’t need much space to grow. It remains about 12-18 inches in height. This plant thrives best in a temperature range between 60-75 F (16 C to 24 C). Be sure to place it in a location where it can receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

4. Long Island Mammoth

As with any variety of Dill, this plant forms taproots and doesn’t transplant well. So if you’re growing it in a container, be sure that it is at least 12-14 inches deep and wide because the Long Island Mammoth can grow up to a height of 36 inches with a spread around 24 inches. It’s commonly grown by commercial dill producers and thrives best outdoors.

Propagating Dill

You can’t grow dill from cuttings. You may try to root it in water, but this usually doesn’t work. Growing dill from seeds is the best option.

Growing Dill in Hot Climate

If you’re growing dill in a warm climate (USDA Zones 9b-11), start seeds after the summer, in fall, when the weather is comparatively cold.

Choosing a Container

Since dill forms a long taproot, choose a 5-gallon container that is at least 12 inches deep and wide similarly. In such a pot, you can grow one plant. For smaller varieties, select 10 inches deep pot. To grow a couple of dill weed plants together, get a much bigger pot.

Requirements for Growing Dill in Pots

Position

Provide a location that receives full sun or at least 6-7 hours of direct sunlight and good air circulation. You can grow dill in part sun, but it will not become bushier there than it would be in full sun.

If you’re growing dill indoors, keep it at a South or West-facing window for optimum growth. In a subtropical or tropical climate, save this herb from the intense afternoon sun, especially in summer.

Soil

Use well-drained, loamy potting soil when growing dill in pots. While it can tolerate poor soil, it’s a good idea to mix 20 percent aged manure or compost at the time of planting to make your growing medium slightly richer.

Watering

If the growing location is sunny and windy and the dill plant is growing in a clay pot, it will dry out faster, and you’ll have to water regularly to keep the soil mildly moist.

When growing indoors or in part sun, water only when the soil is about to dry. In the hot climate or summers, you’ll need to keep the soil moist.

Tip: Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Similarly, don’t practice overhead watering to stop fungal diseases and water around the base of the plant.

Staking

Dill is a floppy herb and tends to fall once it grows taller because of its weak and hollow stems. It’s better to use a plant stake like a bamboo stick or metal rod to support it.

Dill Plant Care in Pots

Fertilizer

Once your dill plant has grown several inches high and around 2-4 weeks older, it’s a time to fertilize it. Feed it every 4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer in half of its prescribed strength on the label.

If you want to avoid chemical fertilizers, side-dress this herb with aged manure or compost, once or twice during the growing season.

Pruning Dill and Deadheading

Also Read: How to Prune Herbs

Pests and Diseases

Dill may get parsley caterpillars and tomato hornworms. Handpick the pests away from the plant. Aphids love this herb too, so keep an eye on them. In diseases, Leaf Spot and Mildew can be a problem, if you’ll practice overhead watering.

Harvesting Dill and Storage

Harvesting Dill Leaves

Once the plant reaches an ideal height of 8 inches–Start harvesting. Use a garden snip or a pair of scissors to harvest according to your needs.

For this, nip off individual leaflets close to the stem and lay them in one layer on a baker’s rack or something similar. Once dry, keep them in an airtight jar.

Refrigeration

You can keep extra trimmings in the refrigerator, and they’ll remain fresh for a few days. Fold them in a damp paper towel, and secure them in a plastic bag. Or you can freeze entire stems and clip the leaves as you need them. Store them frozen in butter or vinegar, so that they leave a tangy taste in your cooking.

Tip: Dill leaves have the best flavor before flowering.

Harvesting Dill Seeds

After about 60-80 days from sowing, dill flowers will appear and seed. These seeds will be mature in 2-4 weeks, depending on the climatic conditions. Trim the seedheads when seeds turn flat and brown and before they fall on the ground.

Tip: If you’re not growing dill in pots for seeds, snip off the flower buds before they open and seed. This way, the plant will keep growing and direct its energy on vegetative growth.

Drying

Hang seedheads upside down in a paper bag, so that the dry seeds fall into it. Collect and store the organic seeds in an airtight container and use them as the way you want.

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How to grow dill in a pot on your deck

A step-by-step guide to growing dill in pots on your patio or deck 

I got my start growing herbs with the usual suspects: basil, oregano and thyme. They’re the familiar flavors you find in pasta sauce, pizza and soups, and they’re easy to grow in pots. 

But after a couple of seasons I was itching to branch out — and dill was next up.

Like a lot of herbs, dill (anethum graveolens) is easy to grow in pots and easy to harvest for use in the kitchen.

This perennial herb with fern-like feathery leaves  produces one of my favorite flavors. Imagine dill pickles, dill dip with rye bread … not to mention dill on roasted veggies, in soup, or on fish.

And there’s truly something magical about a good piece of salmon baked with a hunk of dill butter on top. YUM.

The leaves can be used as an herb in all those ways and the seeds from its lacy yellow flowers have culinary uses as a spice for pickling, bread and more.

Dill is part of the parsley family, which also includes carrots, celery, and spices like caraway and cumin. But it grows a lot taller than some of those low-growing cousins, topping out as high as 3 or 4 feet. 

However, some of the most common culinary varieties of dill tend toward a dense 18 inches — totally doable for a container garden!

And the bright yellow flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial insects.

In other words, dill is awesome, it’s easy to grow in a pot or container, and it’s a great herb with a unique flavor to broaden your cooking horizons.

So read on for easy instructions for growing dill in a pot for your deck or patio garden!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Growing dill in pots

How to start dill from seed

Dill should be started from seed, not seedlings.

Dill seedlings set down a long taproot like carrots do, which makes it hard to transplant them without doing damage.

For this reason, one important thing to remember with dill is to sow seeds in the container you plan to use all growing season, since they don’t transplant well.

Ideally, sow dill seeds after danger of frost has passed. In most zones, the best time is between April-May. If you’re not sure when that is, check out this frost dates calculator.

Don’t be intimidated by starting dill from seed or let that deter you! It’s not hard:

Clay or terracotta pots are great for lots of patio garden plants because clay dries well between waterings and a lot of herbs prefer drier soil.

But in this case, dill prefers steady moisture, so a plastic or glazed ceramic pot may be a better fit. Just make sure it’s plenty deep!

Can I grow dill from cuttings?

While it’s not ideal to start potted dill from seedlings, it is possible to grow dill from cuttings set in water.

What’s the difference between a seedling and a cutting?

To take a dill cutting, first find a stem with 3-4 inches of new growth and snip with sharp scissors. Then pull off the bottom leaves and set in a container of water. No need to fertilize.

TIP: Keep in mind that roots can easily tangle if you’re growing multiple cuttings. Don’t put more than 2-3 cuttings in each container.

Once the cuttings have grown a few inches of roots (generally in 2-3 weeks), gently set in potting soil.

How to thin dill seedlings and position on your deck

What variety of dill does best in a container garden?

There are a lot of varieties out there, some better than others for culinary use or flowering. Here are a few varieties that do especially well in container gardens:

I’m growing fernleaf dill this year and while it had a slow start, it picked up the pace and it’s doing awesome now! Next year I’ll also try bouquet dill and see how they differ.

Choose a sunny spot on the deck for your dill

Dill likes: plenty of direct sun, steady water, moderate temps, protection from wind, support when it gets tall

Dill doesn’t like: lots of shade, intense heat, drying out, falling over

In other words, find a sunny spot that gets 6-8 hours of sunlight, with some wind protection. Dill does well against a wall or trellis for some support. Staking is another option.

How to take care of a potted dill plant on your deck or patio

Many herbs are great edible plants for a container garden – they’re small and not overly fussy about conditions. Even with minimal care they can produce enough to use in your kitchen throughout the growing season. And drying or preserving them gives you plenty for winter.

Dill is undeniably one of them! Read on for easy-to-follow instructions for keeping dill happy, alive and thriving.

1. Keep dill moderately watered

While many herbs like to dry out between waterings, dill prefers steady moisture. Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry.

2. Go easy on the fertilizer

Dill doesn’t need much fertilizer. Add a bit of compost or slow-release fertilizer when first planted and a small amount in late spring, and you should be good to go.

3. Stake dill to keep it upright

While not as necessary for dwarf varieties like fernleaf, dill can often benefit from a bamboo stake to prevent falling over or blowing in high winds. If you decide to stake, do it early so you don’t disturb roots at the base of the plant. These 18-inch bamboo stakes (ties included) are perfect for light, feathery dill.

How to harvest dill in a pot

Dill should be ready to harvest about 8 weeks after you first sow the seeds.

To harvest dill leaves:

You can pick some as soon as the plant is established with leaves big enough to use, preferably at least 4-6 inches tall. Be sure to harvest older leaves first, picking or snipping leaves close to the stem, starting from the top of the plant.

TIP: You’ll get the best flavor from fresh dill leaves picked before it bolts (produces dill flowers), so don’t wait. Once the bright yellow flowers bloom, the plant stops sending energy to the leaves. 

To harvest dill seeds:

After your dill plant bolts (produces flowers), cut off the seedheads when they start to turn light brown. Dry completely in a paper bag for a few days, then separate the seeds from the chaff.

Watch how and when to harvest dill leaves:

As I’ve said, dill is a fun, easy herb to add to grow in a pot on your deck or patio.

Just make sure it has a deep pot, steady sun and water, and some protection from the wind. You’ll be making amazing fish, potato salad, and your own pickles in no time!

Planning to grow herbs in pots on your deck? These articles can help round out your container herb garden: 

Bottom line: You can easily add dill to your container garden on your patio, deck or balcony. Follow these steps for how to grow dill in a pot, and give it a try. Let us know how it goes in the comments below!

Growing dill indoors on a window

Having fresh herbs on the table all year round is a cherished dream of many housewives. Growing dill right in an apartment at room conditions on a windowsill in pots has long been popular, because this is a great opportunity to get vitamins even in winter.

Dill is an unpretentious plant, easy to grow even for an inexperienced gardener, with a lush crown that will decorate the house. Thus, dill grown in a pot in an apartment combines both aesthetic and functional aspects.

There is a myth that home-grown dill is smaller and less aromatic than its counterpart from the garden. However, in reality, the difference between them is hardly noticeable, it depends only on the efforts that a person makes in order to help green sprouts to sprout.

In order to get a bountiful harvest, it is worth preparing for the cultivation of dill in advance. There are only a few basic principles to follow for success:

  1. For sowing at home, early ripe varieties of greenery, such as Gribovsky, Grenadier, Richelieu, Grinberg or others, are suitable. The speed of ripening is important, since the time of the first cuts and the taste characteristics of dill depend on it;
  2. Any container is suitable for planting, from an ordinary flower pot to a special tray. The main thing is that its volume is deep enough for the development of the root system. Sprouts should have enough free space;

    You can grow dill on a windowsill at room conditions in an ordinary flower pot

  3. Land for growing dill at home is suitable both from a garden plot and bought in a store. Remember that it should be rich in minerals. Regular feeding of plants during the growing season also helps to increase the yield;
  4. Before planting, dill seeds should be soaked in water at room temperature for a period of five hours to two days. To disinfect seeds and prevent the development of plant diseases, a medium solution of potassium permanganate is used, in which the seeds must also lie for three hours. It should be noted right away that the seeds that, after soaking, did not sink to the bottom of the container, can be immediately discarded, since they are of no value and most likely will not sprout.

    Dill seeds must be soaked before planting. Those that remain floating above should be immediately discarded

Planting and caring for dill at home

A thin layer of expanded clay is placed on the bottom of the container, which is covered with earth about three-quarters of the height of the tray, go a little more. The earth is moistened, the soaked seeds are laid out, and they are sprinkled with an earthen layer of 1-1.5 cm. It is not worth burying the seeds deeper, otherwise they will not be able to germinate. After that, water with settled water. Moreover, it is more expedient to do this from a spray gun in order to blur the ground.

The final step is to create a greenhouse effect. Ordinary plastic bags used to cover pots are suitable for this purpose. A favorable microclimate is created under the film, in which dill will successfully germinate. The accumulated condensate will not allow plants to remain completely without moisture. The first sprouts of dill grown on the windowsill appear already in the first or second week after planting.

Greenhouse effect is created by covering the container with a plastic bag

The only thing left to do is to ensure that the plants receive sufficient watering and sunlight. To do this, they are put on the windowsill for a period of at least ten hours a day. In this case, the pots must be constantly rotated so that the plants do not have a curvature in the development of the stem. In the conditions of a short day, the illumination of plants with the help of ultraviolet lamps will be a good option.

If the planting of seeds was too dense, the sprouts must be thinned out, and also remember to water, otherwise the plants will be weak and stunted due to lack of nutrition and crowding.

Harvesting dill grown in the apartment

The first slight pinching of tender dill leaves can be done already in the third or fourth week, and the first cuts should be done in a month. In the second month after planting, there will be an abundant bush of thick and pleasantly smelling dill in the pot.

Home-grown fresh dill leaves

Home-grown dill is much more valuable and useful for adding to dishes. Growing it is easy, which means you can always have a fresh sprig of dill on the table.

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