What to Plant with Dill: The Ultimate Companion Planting Guide

Dill is a versatile herb that enhances many dishes with its distinctive tangy flavor. But did you know that dill can also be an invaluable addition to your garden? When planted near certain other plants, dill can help improve their growth and productivity.

So what should you plant with dill? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best and worst companion plants for dill and provide tips to help you design a thriving dill-centric garden.

Why Choose Dill as a Companion Plant?

Before diving into specific pairings, let’s look at why dill makes such a great companion plant in the first place:

• Attracts beneficial insects – The flowers and aroma of dill attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, Dill also draws predatory insects that feast on common garden pests,

• Deters pests – Many insects dislike the strong scent of dill, helping repel aphids, spider mites, cabbage loopers, and more.

• Thrives in a variety of conditions – Dill is hardy in USDA zones 2-11 and adapts well to sun or partial shade. It’s drought tolerant once established.

• Grows tall and thin – The slender shape of dill plants allows you to easily tuck them between larger vegetables and herbs.

• Fast growing – Dill reaches maturity quickly, letting you continually harvest leaves.

With dill’s pest protection and soil enrichment capabilities combined with its delicate growth habit and pungent aroma it’s ideal for boosting the health of many garden plants.

Best Vegetables to Plant with Dill

Many common vegetables benefit from being paired with dill. Here are some of the top vegetable companions:

Lettuce – Deters aphids. Has a short growing cycle, allowing multiple successions.

Onions – Onion-dill combo enhances pest protection. Onions don’t compete for light.

Cabbage Family – Wards off cabbage loopers, worms, and moths.

Broccoli – Discourages cabbage moths and aphids. Attracts beneficial insects.

Asparagus – Lures good bugs that feast on asparagus beetles.

Cucumbers – Draws predatory insects to control cucumber beetles and aphids.

Beans – Beans fix nitrogen to feed dill. Dill repels bean beetles.

Carrots – Some dispute, but research shows dill improves carrot growth and flavor.

Fenugreek – Complementary flavors, efficient use of space, balanced nutrition.

Best Herbs for Planting with Dill

In addition to vegetables, dill also pairs nicely with a number of aromatic herbs. Here are some excellent herbal companions:

Basil – Deters aphids and spider mites. Likes similar growing conditions as dill.

Cilantro – Thrives in same environment, attracts beneficial insects.

Chives – Strong oniony scent repels aphids. Draws pollinators.

Oregano – Likes same conditions as dill. Wards off pests.

Parsley – Compatible needs, attracts good bugs, enhances flavor.

Fennel – Same plant family but research shows they help each other grow.

Garlic and Onions – Enhances flavor; garlic deters spider mites.

Best Flowers for Dill Companion Planting

Planting dill alongside certain flowers creates an aesthetically pleasing garden that also reaps practical benefits:

Nasturtium – Cascading leaves provide ground cover. Deters aphids and beetles.

Marigolds – Disliked by pests like nematodes. Draws beneficial insects.

Cosmos – Attracts pollinators. Provides vertical interest and color contrast.

Zinnias – Bright blooms that attract ladybugs to patrol for pests.

Lavender – Repels deer, rabbits, and moths. Complements dill’s aroma.

Sunflowers – Large plant for dill to climb. Produces beneficial insect habitat.

Daisies – Simple, cheerful blooms. Attracts pollinators. Deer resistant.

Best Fruits and Veggies for Dill Companion Planting

For a productive edible garden, consider combining dill with these fruits and vegetables:

Cucumbers – Dill attracts beneficial predatory bugs that protect cucumbers.

Tomatoes – Dill helps tomato plants while young. Keep separated as both mature.

Melons – Dill draws insects that pollinate melons and eat pests like squash beetles.

Strawberries – Dill deters slugs, snails, and spider mites that harm strawberry plants.

Asparagus – Dill adds color and pest protection for this perennial vegetable.

Corn – Plant dill at ends of corn rows to control earworms and cutworms.

Worst Companion Plants for Dill

While dill pairs nicely with many plants, there are a few combinations to avoid:

• Carrots – Can cross-pollinate, resulting in poor flavor and growth.

• Fennel – Same plant family, so may cross-breed with undesirable traits.

• Peppers – Dill stunts pepper plant growth.

• Tomatoes – Mature dill and tomato plants inhibit each other’s development.

• Lavender – Differing soil moisture preferences.

• Cucumbers – Competition for space and soil nutrients if garden is small.

Growing Dill: Tips for Success

Follow these tips to get the most out of your dill companion plants:

• Grow from seed. Dill doesn’t transplant well.

• Plant in full sun in well-drained, fertile soil. Add compost to improve drainage.

• Space plants 12-18 inches apart to prevent crowding.

• Water frequently, about 1-2 inches per week. Add mulch to retain moisture.

• Harvest often by snipping leaves. Remove flowers to prolong leaf production.

• Let some plants mature and go to seed for the next season.

Designing Your Dill Companion Garden

When designing your garden beds, keep these dill companion planting guidelines in mind:

• Place taller companions like tomatoes or sunflowers towards the back or middle.

• Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs near the dill.

• Use dill to fill in gaps between larger plants.

• Plant dill near vegetables it most benefits, like cucumbers and cabbage.

• Edge beds with beneficial insect-attracting flowers like cosmos and marigolds.

• Avoid mixing dill with incompatible plants like fennel, carrots, and peppers.

With its pest protection powers, soil enriching capabilities, and delicate foliage, dill is a versatile herb that serves as an excellent garden companion. Follow this guide to dill’s best and worst neighbors to design a healthy, thriving garden ecosystem.

Dill should not be planted near members of its own plant family, the Umbelliferae (also known as Apiaceae), such as carrots, fennel, celery, and cilantro. This is because they can cross-pollinate, resulting in undesirable hybrid flavors, or attract similar pests.

Dill thrives best in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.