Heirloom

White Dill

Ammi majus

Photo: י.ש. · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Free-flowering plants bear a multitude of lacy flower heads 5-6" across. Flowers can be dyed in an assortment of colors. Also known as false Queen Anne's lace, lace flower, false bishop's weed, large bullwort, and bishop's weed. Attracts and supports beneficial insects such as lacewings, lady beetles, minute pirate bugs, syrphid flies, and parasitic wasps.

Harvest

65-75d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

3-6 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for White Dill in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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White Dill · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor to average fertility

WaterModerate, drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorWhite

Size5-6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Ammi majus has a short bloom window — roughly 2 to 3 weeks per plant before it goes hard to seed — so staggered sowing is the only way to keep a steady supply of stems. In zone 7, direct sow every 3 weeks from April through early June, stopping before daytime highs lock in above 85°F. That cadence should give you 2 or 3 overlapping flushes through early summer without a gap.

If you're growing for a specific event, count back 70 days (the midpoint of the 65–75 day range) from when you need stems. A second indoor sow in March, transplanted out in late April, can bridge the window between your earliest direct-sown plants and the next round coming up behind them.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed.

Harvesting

White Dill reaches harvest at 65 - 75 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 5-6" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Achene.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh White Dill flowers, store in a cool location away from direct sunlight at 65-70°F with moderate humidity, or refrigerate in a water-filled vase at 35-40°F for extended freshness (up to 2 weeks). Preservation methods: (1) Dry by hanging upside-down in a warm, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks, then store in airtight containers; (2) Freeze whole flower heads in airtight freezer bags for 3-4 months; (3) Press flowers between wax paper under heavy books for 2-3 weeks, ideal for floral arrangements and crafts.

History & Origin

Origin: Macaronesia, Medit. to Iran and Arabian Peninsula

Advantages

+Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Songbirds
+Low maintenance

Considerations

-Toxic (Leaves, Seeds): Low severity

Companion Plants

Ammi majus pulls its weight near tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, and cucumbers because of what its flowers attract. The flat, open umbels are landing pads for parasitic wasps like Trichogramma spp. and hoverflies, both of which go after aphids and caterpillars on neighboring vegetable crops. At 3–6 feet tall, Ammi adds a vertical layer that shorter companions like marigolds and nasturtiums don't cover — so the combination builds habitat across more than one canopy level. Lettuce and onions are practical neighbors rather than pest-management ones; they don't compete for the same root depth and won't shade Ammi out.

Carrots and cilantro are the ones to separate out. All three are Apiaceae, which means shared disease pressure and overlapping pest attraction — including carrot rust fly (Psila rosae). Concentrating three members of the same family in a small bed is just asking for a problem to move fast. Fennel is a different issue entirely: it releases allelopathic compounds from its roots that suppress nearby plants, and Ammi is not immune to that.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Dill repels tomato hornworms and aphids while improving tomato flavor

Cabbage

Dill deters cabbage worms and other brassica pests

Cucumbers

Dill attracts beneficial insects that control cucumber beetles and improves growth

Lettuce

Provides beneficial shade and attracts predatory insects that protect lettuce

Onions

Both plants repel common garden pests and complement each other's pest control

Marigolds

Both attract beneficial insects and create a strong pest-deterrent combination

Nasturtiums

Work together to trap pests and attract pollinators and predatory insects

Broccoli

Dill repels cabbage loopers and imported cabbage worms that damage broccoli

Keep Apart

Carrots

Can stunt carrot growth and may cross-pollinate with wild carrots

Fennel

Inhibits dill growth through allelopathy and competes for similar resources

Cilantro

Can cross-pollinate and hybridize, reducing seed quality of both plants

Troubleshooting White Dill

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings damping off at soil level — stems pinch thin and collapse within the first 2 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Pythium or Fusarium damping-off fungi, encouraged by overwatering and poor drainage
Sowing too thickly so air can't move through the seedling tray

What to Do

1.Water only when the top inch of mix is dry; bottom-watering helps a lot here
2.Thin seedlings to at least 1 inch apart as soon as they're up — crowding is the main accelerant
3.If it keeps happening, switch to a sterile seed-starting mix and don't reuse last year's trays without washing them with diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water)

Powdery white coating on leaves and stems, usually showing up mid-summer when plants are 18–24 inches tall

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — common on Apiaceae family members in humid or stagnant-air conditions
Spacing below the 12-inch minimum, which kills airflow between stems

What to Do

1.Give plants their full 12–18 inches at transplant time — skimping here is almost always what starts it
2.Remove heavily affected stems and dispose of them in the trash, not the compost pile
3.A spray of diluted potassium bicarbonate (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) can slow spread on stems that aren't yet severe

Plants flower, then go to seed fast — usable stem window feels like less than a week

Likely Causes

Heat above 85°F accelerating the bloom-to-seed transition in this annual
Delayed harvesting — Ammi majus peaks when the outer florets of an umbel just open; waiting for the whole head costs you 3–5 days of vase life

What to Do

1.Cut stems when 30–50% of the florets on an umbel are open, not when the whole head is fully out
2.Plan succession sows so plants are blooming before daytime highs consistently exceed 85°F
3.Harvest in the early morning and get cut stems into cool water within 30 minutes — Ammi wilts fast if left sitting in heat

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take White Dill flowers to bloom?▼

White Dill flowers typically bloom 65-75 days after planting. They're fast-growing and free-flowering, meaning they produce abundant blooms throughout the growing season once established. Successive plantings every 2-3 weeks will provide continuous flowers.

Is White Dill good for beginners?▼

Yes, White Dill is excellent for beginners due to its easy difficulty rating. It's a hardy heirloom variety that tolerates a range of conditions (full sun to partial shade), requires minimal maintenance, and attracts beneficial insects naturally without special care requirements.

Can you grow White Dill in containers?▼

Yes, White Dill can be grown in containers. Use well-drained potting soil and containers at least 12 inches deep. Ensure the pot receives 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Container growing is ideal for cut flowers and allows mobility to optimize light conditions throughout the season.

What are the lacy flower heads good for?▼

The 5-6 inch lacy flower heads are prized for fresh and dried flower arrangements. They can be dyed in various colors for crafting. Additionally, White Dill flowers are excellent for attracting beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps, supporting garden pollination and pest control.

When should I plant White Dill seeds?▼

Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost when soil temperatures reach 60°F or warmer. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. White Dill prefers cool weather for germination but blooms prolifically in warm conditions.

How much sunlight does White Dill need?▼

White Dill requires full sun to partial shade, needing a minimum of 4-6+ hours of direct sunlight daily. While it tolerates partial shade, it flowers most prolifically in full sun conditions (6+ hours). Adequate light ensures larger flower heads and more abundant blooms.