Fernleaf Dill
Anethum graveolens
Abundant dark blue-green foliage. Great in containers or in small spaces. AAS Winner. Ht. 6-8".
Harvest
40-50d
Days to harvest
Sun
ah-NEE-thum grav-ee-OH-lens
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
2-5 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Fernleaf Dill in USDA Zone 7
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Fernleaf Dill · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — | July – October |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | — | June – October |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — | June – November |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | — | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | — | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – April | — | April – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: ah-NEE-thum grav-ee-OH-lens. Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 2 ft. 6 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Dill fruits are oval, compressed with ridges and progress from bright green color to dark brown with age. They have a pleasant aromatic odor.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Schizocarp. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Fragrant
Harvest time: Fall, Spring, Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Leaves (dill weed), seeds, and flowers are edible (used in teas, pickling, and as culinary seasoning). Dill herb and dill seed oils are steam-distilled and used by the food industry as seasonings. Add to pickles, mince in butter, and cook with salmon, borscht, fish, and soups. Dill can be used in teas and as seasoning for butter, cakes, bread, vinegars, soups, fish, pickles, salads, etc.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh fernleaf dill keeps best when stored like cut flowers—trim stem ends and place in water, cover loosely with a plastic bag, and refrigerate for up to 10 days. For short-term counter storage, wrap stems in damp paper towels inside a plastic bag.
Freezing preserves the fresh flavor better than drying for fernleaf dill. Chop clean, dry leaves and pack into ice cube trays with water or olive oil. Alternatively, spread chopped dill on baking sheets to freeze individually, then transfer to sealed containers—this prevents clumping and allows you to use small amounts as needed.
For drying, harvest entire stems just before flowering when oils are strongest. Bundle small groups and hang in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area. Properly dried dill retains color and most of its flavor for 6-8 months when stored in airtight containers away from light.
History & Origin
Fernleaf dill emerged from breeding programs focused on solving home gardeners' frustration with traditional dill varieties that bolt quickly in hot weather. Developed in the 1990s through selective breeding, this hybrid was specifically engineered to prioritize leaf production over seed development—the opposite approach of most historical dill cultivation which valued seeds for spice and preservation.
The variety earned All-America Selections recognition for its compact, bushy growth habit that made fresh dill accessible to container gardeners and small-space growers. This marked a significant shift in dill breeding philosophy, moving away from the tall, sprawling Mediterranean types that dominated gardens for centuries.
While common dill (Anethum graveolens) has been cultivated for over 5,000 years across Europe and Asia primarily for its seeds, fernleaf dill represents modern plant breeding's response to contemporary cooking trends favoring fresh herbs over dried spices. Its development coincided with the rise of container gardening and the fresh herb movement in American cuisine during the 1980s and 1990s.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer
- +Attracts: Leaves (dill weed), seeds, and flowers are edible (used in teas, pickling, and as culinary seasoning). Dill herb and dill seed oils are steam-distilled and used by the food industry as seasonings. Add to pickles, mince in butter, and cook with salmon, borscht, fish, and soups. Dill can be used in teas and as seasoning for butter, cakes, bread, vinegars, soups, fish, pickles, salads, etc.
- +Wildlife value: Larval host to the black swallowtail butterfly. Attracts beneficial insects such as bees, wasps, hover flies and butterflies.
- +Edible: Leaves (dill weed), seeds, and flowers are edible (used in teas, pickling, and as culinary seasoning). Dill herb and dill seed oils are steam-distilled and used by the food industry as seasonings. Add to pickles, mince in butter, and cook with salmon, borscht, fish, and soups. Dill can be used in teas and as seasoning for butter, cakes, bread, vinegars, soups, fish, pickles, salads, etc.
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Tomatoes
Dill repels tomato hornworms and aphids, while tomatoes provide shade for dill
Cabbage
Dill attracts beneficial insects that control cabbage worms and other brassica pests
Cucumbers
Dill repels cucumber beetles and attracts predatory wasps
Lettuce
Dill provides light shade and attracts beneficial insects while lettuce doesn't compete for space
Onions
Both plants repel different pest insects, creating a protective effect
Broccoli
Dill attracts parasitic wasps that control cabbage loopers and other brassica pests
Corn
Corn provides wind protection for delicate dill fronds while dill attracts beneficial predators
Marigolds
Both plants attract beneficial insects and have pest-repelling properties
Keep Apart
Carrots
Can cross-pollinate with dill since both are in the carrot family, affecting seed quality
Fennel
Can cross-pollinate with dill and may inhibit dill's growth through allelopathic effects
Cilantro
Competes for similar growing conditions and attracts the same pests
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172233)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease resistance, slow to bolt extends harvest window
Common Pests
Parsley worms, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Downy mildew, bacterial blight (uncommon)