Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a popular herb that is widely used in many cuisines. Its an easy-to-grow herb that can be grown from either dill seeds or cuttings. In this article, we will focus on how to grow dill from cuttings.
Dill is an aromatic and delicious herb that is popularly used to flavor many dishes While you can grow dill from seeds, propagating from cuttings is a great way to quickly multiply your plants. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the entire process of propagating dill from cuttings, from start to finish
Why Propagate Dill from Cuttings
Here are some of the key benefits of propagating dill from cuttings rather than seeds:
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Faster harvest Dill grown from cuttings will be ready for harvest weeks earlier than those grown from seeds You’ll be able to start enjoying fresh dill much sooner
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Identical plants: The new plants will be genetically identical clones of the parent plant, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
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Higher success rate: Cuttings have a very high rate of successful propagation if done correctly. Seeds can be tricky and slow to germinate.
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Extend growing season: Taking cuttings from potted dill plants in fall can allow you to propagate plants that will thrive through winter indoors.
When to Take Dill Cuttings
Spring and early summer are the best times for taking dill cuttings. This gives the cuttings time to develop strong roots before the heat of summer.
Specifically, look to take cuttings when:
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Daytime temps range 60-75°F.
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Overnight temps stay above 50°F.
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Plants are actively growing and have new green stems.
Choosing a Parent Plant
Pick a healthy, established dill plant that has robust growth. Avoid flowering or bolted plants, as cuttings from those will not root well.
Select stems that are:
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A few inches long.
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Have 3-5 sets of leaves.
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Are not woody (herbaceous stems root better).
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Are free of flower buds or flowers.
How to Take Dill Cuttings
Follow these simple steps for taking proper dill cuttings:
1. Sterilize Your Pruners
Clean your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading disease between plants.
2. Cut Stems in the Morning
Snip stems early in the day when plants are fully hydrated and resource-rich.
3. Make 45 Degree Angle Cuts
Cut each stem at a 45 degree angle right above a leaf node.
4. Take Multiple Cuttings
Take several cuttings from different parts of the plant to ensure some viable ones.
5. Cut Stems to 4-6 Inches
Leave each cutting 4-6 inches long with 3-5 sets of leaves.
6. Remove Bottom Leaves
Strip off the lower 1-2 sets of leaves from each cutting.
7. Place Cuttings in Water
Immediately put the cut ends of the stems in water to keep hydrated.
Rooting Dill Cuttings in Water
Rooting dill cuttings in water is an easy propagation method. Follow these tips:
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Use clean jars, glasses, or vases filled with room temperature water.
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Cuttings should have 1-2 sets of leaves above the waterline.
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Change the water every 2-3 days to prevent rotting.
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Place in bright, indirect light. Direct sun can overheat and cook cuttings.
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Look for root initials in 1-2 weeks. Roots will be white and wispy.
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Transplant to soil after 2-3 weeks once roots are 1-2 inches long.
Rooting Dill Cuttings in Soil
You can also root dill cuttings directly in potting mix or seed starting mix. Here’s how:
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Use a sterile, well-draining mix like perlite, vermiculite, coconut coir or sand.
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Moisten the mix before inserting cuttings. It should be damp but not soggy.
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Poke holes with a pencil and insert cuttings 1-2 inches deep.
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Gently firm mix around cuttings and water thoroughly.
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Cover container with plastic to create a greenhouse environment.
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Keep out of direct sun and water when mix starts to dry out.
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Watch for roots and new growth in 2-4 weeks.
Transplanting Rooted Dill Cuttings
Once your dill cuttings have developed a nice root system, it’s time to transplant them!
If Rooted in Water:
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Carefully pour out the water and cuttings.
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Gently loosen roots and rinse off to remove any slime.
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Plant in pots with well-draining potting mix, covering roots with soil.
If Rooted in Soil:
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Remove the plastic covering.
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Transplant each cutting to its own 3-4 inch pot with fresh potting mix.
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Bury root ball 1-2 inches deep, covering lower leaves.
Post-Transplant Care:
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Keep soil consistently moist but not soaked.
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Place in partial sun for a week to prevent shock.
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Fertilize weekly with a balanced liquid fertilizer once established.
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Transition to full sun exposure once new growth appears.
Common Propagation Problems and Solutions
While propagating dill from cuttings is fairly straightforward, you may encounter some issues.
Rotting Stems
Cause: Too much moisture against stems.
Solution: Ensure only cut ends sit in water. Change water frequently.
Poor Root Growth
Cause: Using flowering stems or improper soil.
Solution: Only use non-flowering stems. Use proper rooting mix.
Leggy Growth
Cause: Insufficient light exposure.
Solution: Gradually increase sunlight after transplanting.
WiltingAfter Transplant
Cause: Transplant shock from dry soil or big change in environment.
Solution: Water thoroughly after transplant and slowly transition to outdoor growing conditions.
Tips for Maximizing Propagation Success
Follow these tips to ensure your dill cuttings root quickly and grow vigorously:
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Take cuttings first thing in the morning.
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Use sharp, sterile pruners to prevent disease spread.
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Select young, healthy, non-flowering stems.
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Strip off lower leaves to prevent rotting.
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Keep cuttings hydrated until planting or placing in water.
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Change water every 2-3 days if rooting in water.
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Use sterile, well-draining rooting medium.
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Maintain warm temperature around 70°F for fast root growth.
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Gradually expose to more sun after transplanting.
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Avoid disturbing new root system when transplanting.
Enjoy an Abundance of Dill All Season
Now that you know how to successfully propagate dill from cuttings, you can grow as many plants as you need to enjoy fresh dill all season long!
Dill is a prolific self-seeder, so allow a few plants to bolt and flower to produce seeds for next year’s crop as well.
With the ability to create identical clones rapidly through cuttings, you’ll have plenty of dill for all your culinary creations, not to mention some beautiful, ferny foliage in your herb garden.
Growing Dill from Cuttings
Once the dill cutting has rooted, its time to transplant it to a larger pot or to your herb garden. When transplanting, be careful not to disturb the roots. Make sure to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot. Dill plants prefer light conditions with full sun to partial shade, and they do well in well-draining soil.
Its important to note that dill plants can grow up to 3 feet tall, so make sure to provide enough space for them to grow. You can also pinch back the plant to promote bushier growth.
Here are some additional tips for growing dill:
- Plant dill in a location with good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
- Avoid planting dill near fennel, as they can cross-pollinate and create an undesirable hybrid.
- Dill attracts beneficial insects to your garden, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which can help control pests.
You can start harvesting dill leaves once the plant has grown to at least 12 inches tall. Use scissors to cut the leaves from the stem, leaving at least two sets of leaves on the stem to promote further growth. When harvesting, avoid taking more than one-third of the plants foliage at once, as this can stress the plant.
Its best to harvest dill leaves early in the morning when the oils are the most concentrated. This will give your dishes the most flavor.
Medicinal Properties of Dill
In addition to its culinary uses, dill also has medicinal properties. Its been used for centuries to help with digestive issues, such as bloating and indigestion. Dill oil is also used in aromatherapy to help with stress and anxiety.
Here are some of the medicinal properties of dill:
- Dill contains compounds that can help relax the muscles in the digestive tract, which can ease symptoms of bloating and indigestion.
- Dill is a natural diuretic, which can help flush out excess fluids and toxins from the body.
- Dill oil has a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.
How to Grow Dill From The Cuttings – A Simple Method
FAQ
Can I grow dill from a cutting?
- Choose a Healthy Cutting: Select a healthy stem from a thriving dill plant, ideally during its peak growing season (late spring or early summer).
- Take the Cutting: Snip a 4-6 inch stem just below a leaf node with clean, sharp shears.
- Remove Lower Leaves: Remove the lower leaves on the cutting, ensuring the leaf nodes are submerged in water or planted in soil.
- Rooting: Place the cutting in a glass of water or directly into well-draining soil, ensuring the nodes are submerged or planted in moist soil.
- Provide Warmth and Light: Keep the cutting in a warm, bright spot, away from direct sunlight.
- Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil or water consistently moist until roots develop, which typically takes a few weeks.
- Transplant: Once roots have formed, you can transplant the cutting into your garden or a larger container.
Will dill regrow if you cut it?
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Dill grows from the base:Instead of regrowing from the cut stem, dill puts out new stems from the center of the plant.
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Proper pruning:When cutting dill, aim for a cut above a leaf set (where the leaves meet the stem) to encourage new growth from those remaining nodes.
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Don’t over-prune:Taking too much off at once can stress the plant and slow down regrowth.
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Pinching off flower buds:If you want to focus on foliage growth, pinch off any flower buds that form, as these signal the plant is ready to reproduce and will slow down leaf production.
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Dill can reseed:Fontana Seeds notes that dill is known for its ability to reseed itself, meaning it will naturally grow back from seeds if given the chance.
How to propagate dill from a grocery store?
- Cut 6” section of new growth.
- Remove leaves halfway and place them in the water on a sunny window sill.
- Wait 7 days for a few ½ inch roots to form and carefully transplant into it final container.
Can you propagate dill in soil?
You can’t propagate dill except with seeds, so just put some seeds around it from the packet you had, and push them onto the soil (maybe cover a bit with a sprinkle, but not deep). It’s a seed-and-cut sort of crop normally.
Can you grow Dill from cuttings?
Dill is a beautiful, delicate looking, strong and easy to grow herb plant that you can grow from cuttings with no trouble. You may use dill to pickle cucumbers and okra, season soups and stews or create vegetable dips. As a relative to carrots, dill forms a deep taproot, and it’s almost impossible to transplant an established dill plant.
How long does it take Dill cuttings to grow?
In a few weeks, your dill cutting should start to grow and produce leaves. You can begin to harvest the leaves for culinary use once the plant has become established and is growing well. You’ve put time and effort into rooting dill cuttings, so now is not the time for neglect.
How do you grow a dill plant?
Follow these steps to help your brand-new dill plant thrive and produce an abundant crop. Once your dill cuttings produce root growth, you can plant them in pots or in the ground. Either way they’ll grow and multiply to provide you with plenty of dill cuttings for recipes and pickling.
When is the best time to propagate Dill?
On when to propagate dill in this way, he adds: ‘The ideal time to take dill cuttings is during the active growing season, which typically occurs in the spring or early summer. ‘During this time, the dill plant is vigorously producing new growth, making it more likely for the cuttings to root successfully.
How do you plant Dill cuttings?
The cuttings should be healthy and free from any disease or insects before planting them. Choose a spot with sufficient sunlight and good drainage. Your dill plants will receive enough nutrients and moisture without becoming waterlogged. Lastly, use mulch around the base of your plants to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
How to increase dill plants in your garden?
A practical and simple method to increase the number of dill plants in your garden is by using cuttings. This is also a great way to share starter plants with family and friends who want to grow this versatile herb. With just a few simple steps, you can have new dill plants growing in no time!