How to Grow Dill in Pots and Containers
If you don’t have access to a garden or want fresh herbs in your kitchen, try growing dill in pots and containers. Farmer Briana Yablonski will share everything you need to know about growing this fragrant and flavorful herb in a small space.
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Whether you’re short on space or want to keep fresh herbs in the kitchen, dill is a fast-growing annual herb that grows well in pots. Just a few plants can liven up meals and add a remarkably fresh flavor to dishes like potato salad, soup, and dips. And since dill grows well in pots and containers, you can nurture this tender herb on a patio, deck, or porch.
Growing dill in pots is similar to growing it in the ground. However, there are a few key points to note, including container and soil selection. I’ll cover how to grow dill in pots and containers, keeping it healthy from seed to harvest.
Why Grow Dill in Containers?
Dill grows well in the ground, but sprinkling seeds in your garden isn’t always an option. If you live in an apartment without access to a backyard or raised bed, you don’t have to buy old dill clamshells from the store. Instead, you can grow your own dill in pots or containers.
Container growing may also be the right choice even if you have plenty of land to work with. Pots and grow bags are easy to move around, so you can place them on a sunny patio if your backyard is shaded. Having dill growing on a sunny kitchen window also makes it easy to snip a few sprigs when you want to brighten a meal.
Choosing the Right Container
First, it’s time to choose a container. Dill doesn’t develop a huge root system, so you don’t need a big pot. If you want to grow only one plant, a six-inch-wide pot is all you need. However, if you want to grow dill with other herbs, choose a container that’s at least a foot wide.
The material isn’t too important; terra cotta, plastic, and ceramic can all work well. No matter which option you choose, ensure the bottom has drainage holes to avoid waterlogged soil. You can also use fabric grow bags that provide natural drainage and aeration.
Selecting the Right Soil
With your container in hand, it’s time to fill it with a suitable growing medium. Avoid scooping up soil from your yard and using it to fill the pots. Instead, choose a well-draining potting mix designed for potted plants.
Soil mixes made from compost and organic materials like coco coir or peat moss are also a great choice, since they hold water and provide nutrients. However, make sure the mix also contains materials that aid in drainage—perlite and rice hulls are a few examples.
Planting Dill in Pots and Containers
Once you have the appropriate container and soil mix, it’s time to plant your dill. You can either plant seeds directly in your pot or transplant seedlings.
Direct Seeding Dill
If you have dill seeds on hand and want to skip the hassle of transplanting, you can directly sow the seeds in your prepared pot.
The ideal plant spacing depends on whether you plan to harvest dill leaves or flowers. If you want to pick the tender baby leaves for salads and garnishes, space the seeds one to two inches apart in the pot or plant a group of three seeds every four inches. Wider spacing, between four and six inches, is recommended for plants that will go to flower.
Regardless of the spacing you choose, place the seeds one-eighth of an inch deep, then cover them with soil. Water the seeds well and set them somewhere between 60-75°F (16-24°C). You should see the seedlings emerge within one to two weeks.
Transplanting Dill
If you’ve purchased a dill plant or started your own seedlings in cell trays, you can transplant them into a pot to mature. Most dill plants are sold with multiple plants in a single pot. This cluster of seedlings requires more space than one plant, so plant it at least four inches away from other plants.
After you transplant, water well and avoid exposing your dill to extremely hot or cold temperatures. The plants may experience some discoloration as they recover from the stress of transplanting, but they’ll bounce back if you keep the soil moist and provide the ideal temperatures.
Caring for a Potted Dill Plant
Follow these tips to keep your dill in pots and containers happy.
Provide Full Sun
Dill grows best when it receives at least eight hours of bright, direct sunlight each day. A sunny spot on a porch or deck is ideal, but a bright kitchen window can also work well. While this herb can survive with less light, it will grow more slowly.
Keep the Soil Moist
You’ll probably need to water dill grown in pots and containers more often than you would if you were growing the herb in the ground. That’s because potted soil heats up quicker than the ground and loses water at a more rapid rate. Small pots require more frequent watering than larger pots, so keep a close eye on dill growing in four-inch or six-inch containers.
Your goal is to keep the soil slightly moist but not soaking wet. I like to stick a finger into the soil and water when the top inch feels dry. Use a watering can or hose to thoroughly water near the base of the plant.
Avoid Hard Frost
Dill can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, so you don’t have to worry too much about the weather. However, avoid placing pots outdoors when the danger of hard frost is present. If an unexpected cold spell pops up, you can always move the pots indoors.
Succession Plant as Necessary
If you want to enjoy a continued harvest of dill leaves throughout the summer, you’ll need to plant seeds more than once. All dill will eventually go to flower and complete its life cycle, so planting seeds every three weeks will provide you with a continual harvest.
Rather than planting seeds in the same pot, place your dill successions in different containers. This will allow each round of plants sufficient room to grow.
Harvesting Dill
You can harvest dill at any time, but most people wait until the feathery leaves are at least four inches tall. If you planted from seed, you can expect to harvest the leaves about 50 days after sowing. Cut the tallest outer leaves while leaving the inner leaves behind to mature. As long as you follow this harvest method, you can expect to harvest each plant for a few weeks.
If you want to grow dill for flowers, you’ll have to wait closer to 90 days. Each plant will produce multiple yellow flowers that you can cut to enjoy in a vase or add to pickles.
Dealing with Common Problems
Fortunately, dill is a relatively problem-free plant! It doesn’t face serious pest pressure or disease issues, especially if you provide it with the ideal light and moisture.
That said, aphids sometimes become a problem. If you notice these tiny pests on your plants, wipe them off with a soapy rag or spray them with a strong blast of the hose.
If your potted dill is growing outdoors, you may notice black, green, and yellow caterpillars on your plants. These are the juveniles of the black swallowtail butterfly, and they rarely cause serious damage to large plants. However, you can remove them from your plants if you notice they are eating a large amount of the foliage.
