This is the ultimate collection of 15+ plants that look like dill but aren’t. While familiar herbs such as cumin, fennel, and anise are widely recognized, we’ve also uncovered a selection of weeds that resemble dill.
Dill is a popular herb with a specific aroma that adds a distinctive flavor to various dishes, from pickles to pasta. However, nature has a way of creating look-alike plants that might surprise even seasoned gardeners.
In this ultimate collection of over 15 plants, we will guide you through the diverse world of dill look-alike plants. These plants may resemble dill in appearance, but their aroma and taste differ.
Dill is a popular herb in many home gardens prized for its feathery foliage and distinct aroma. However dill’s delicate, fern-like leaves can often be mistaken for common weeds, leading diligent gardeners on a futile weed hunt. To avoid frustration and ensure your dill thrives, it’s essential to identify weeds mimicking your favorite herb.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore five common weeds frequently confused with dill and provide tips to distinguish and remove them. With a sharp eye and proper identification, you can keep your garden dill-weed free.
Why Identifying Dill Look-Alikes Matters
Many weeds share visual similarities with dill. Still, they can be detrimental plants if left unchecked in your garden. For example, the invasive Dogfennel is toxic if ingested by people or pets. Quickly spotting and eliminating dill imposters preserves garden health.
Misidentification also leads to wasted effort battling the wrong plants. Accurately recognizing dill mimics prevents exerting effort on beneficial dill. Eradicating innocent dill weakens the plant and stunts potential growth. Proper identification ensures your time and energy targets unwanted weeds.
Finally, distinguishing look-alikes prevents accidentally harvesting toxic plants. For instance, Poison Hemlock resembles dill but contains deadly toxins. Identifying the subtle differences between dill and these plants is vital for safety.
5 Common Weeds that Resemble Dill
Dogfennel
Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) is arguably the weed most frequently confused with dill. This rapidly spreading plant invades gardens with its fern-like foliage and delicate white flower heads. However, Dogfennel contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids toxic to people and pets if ingested.
Distinguishing Features:
- Grows in a single, unbranched stem rather than dill’s multiple stems
- Leaves clump closer to main stem
- Bottom leaves turn brown and droop downward
- Stems have fine hairs, unlike dill’s smooth stems
- Flowers are smaller and plume-like
Removal Tips
- Hand pull plants before seeds develop
- Mow frequently to prevent flowering
- Apply targeted herbicide
Poison Hemlock
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), despite its innocent feathery leaves, is one of the most toxic plants in North America All parts contain potent neurotoxins capable of causing respiratory failure in humans This weed is easily mistaken for dill due to similar fern-like foliage and white umbrella-shaped flower clusters.
Distinguishing Features:
- Signature red/purple splotches on main stem
- Lacks dill’s distinctive aroma
- More robust and hollow stems
- Flowers have pointed bracts under each tiny flower
Removal Tips:
- Wear gloves and long sleeves removing plants
- Bag and dispose of plants to prevent seed spread
- Use herbicides containing triclopyr
Wild Chervil
Sometimes called Queen Anne’s lace, Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris) is an invasive weed with lacy leaves bearing resemblance to dill. Introduced from Europe, this aggressive plant can quickly colonize disturbed areas. Although edible, Wild Chervil has a sharper, more potent flavor than dill.
Distinguishing Features:
- Leaves are more delicate and finely divided
- Flower heads are flatter and lace-like
- Stems are slightly ridged rather than round
- Lacks dill’s yellow flower heads
Removal Tips:
- Manually uproot plants
- Maintain robust turf to prevent seed germination
- Spot treat with post-emergent herbicides
Fennel
A cousin to dill within the same Apiaceae family, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is practically indistinguishable from dill through foliage alone. However, crushed fennel leaves release a potent licorice scent rather than dill’s light anise aroma. If unsure, aroma is the best distinguishing factor.
Distinguishing Features:
- Anise/licorice scent when leaves are crushed
- Produces a large, bulbous base
- More upright, symmetrically shaped growth habit
Removal Tips:
- Frequent mowing to prevent flowering
- Cutting taproots below soil surface
- Can be manually removed if population is small
Carrot
Wild carrot, also called Queen Anne’s lace, is a flowering plant closely related to the familiar garden vegetable. Its fine, fern-like leaves can resemble dill foliage. However, carrot leaves emerge from the top of the edible taproot. It’s important to note wild carrot is non-toxic, despite its resemblance to poison hemlock.
Distinguishing Features:
- Leaves attached to edible taproot
- More delicate, frilly leaves
- Flat-topped clusters of tiny white flowers
Removal Tips:
- Manually dig out taproot
- Maintain thick lawn to prevent germination
- Mulch garden beds to prevent seed contact with soil
How to Remove Dill Weed Look-Alikes
When tackling dill impersonators, focus first on manual removal for small populations. Hand pull plants before they flower and set seed. Uproot the entire plant, including all root sections to prevent regrowth.
For larger areas overrun by weeds, spot treatment with herbicides may be necessary. When using chemicals, positively identify plants first and select targeted formulas. Non-selective herbicides can harm nearby plants.
Finally, enact preventative measures to stop growth and germination of unwanted plants. Keep your garden thickly mulched to block light from reaching weed seeds. Maintain a dense, vigorous lawn and quickly fill any bare patches prime for invasion. A robust landscape is your best defense against dill doppelgangers.
Gardeners choosing to grow dill should add identifying common look-alikes to their weed knowledge toolbox. Learning subtle distinguishing features prevents wasting effort on innocent dill while also stopping toxic plants like Poison Hemlock. When in doubt, aroma remains the best indicator, as no other plants truly mimic dill’s unique fragrance. Pay attention to small differences in flowers, leaves, and stems to separate the imposters from favored dill. With proper identification and removal, you can ensure only delightful dill thrives in your garden.
Weeds That Look Like Dill
Dogfennel, also known as false dill, is a rapidly growing and spreading weed that can reach heights of up to 2 meters. Its leaves resemble dill, often causing confusion between the two. However, it’s crucial to note that dogfennel contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, harmful to the liver, if swallowed and toxic to birds and mammals. The plant is sometimes used as an insecticide and fungicide.
Since some weeds in the garden are toxic to people if allowed to spread unchecked, it’s crucial to keep a careful eye out and remove them before flowering and seed formation.
Spotting the differences between dill and dogfennel is pretty simple. Dogfennel’s stem is hairy, while dill’s stem is smooth and might have a few extra stems. Dogfennel leaves bunch up close to the main stem, with the bottom ones turning brown and drooping as they get older. On the other hand, dill leaves have a bigger base of the plant around the stem and are more spread out. Also, dogfennel has small, plume-like, white flowers, while dill has little yellow flowers that bunch up like an umbrella. And one big giveaway is that dogfennel doesn’t smell great—it has a sour, musty odor, unlike the nice smell of dill.
Dogfennel hairy leaves (Eupatorium capillifolium) by
Summer Savory (Satureja Hortensis)
Summer savories may resemble dills at first glance, but they are actually shrubs with narrow leaves. Originating from the Eastern Mediterranean region, these dill-like plants thrive when grown in the appropriate temperature conditions. Growing these dill-like relatives is straightforward, as they thrive in garden soil and indoor pots. While they prefer full sun, their growth isn’t hindered by dappled light.
Marjoram and Dill share fine-textured leaves. However, there are notable differences when you look closely.
Marjoram typically features small, oval-shaped leaves that are pale green, while dill leaves are finely divided and resemble feathery needles. Additionally, Marjoram plants tend to be shorter, usually reaching around 2 feet in height, while dill can grow taller, reaching 2 to 3 feet.
While these visual cues might cause initial confusion, attention to the specific leaf shapes and overall plant structure can help distinguish them.
In addition, dill has a unique anise flavor and smell, while Marjoram has a sweeter citrusy taste and fragrance that makes a lovely tea for cough. Marjoram is sometimes known as the ‘joy of the mountains’ and belongs to the mint family.
5 Things About Dill and Its Unique Uses
FAQ
What is the poisonous weed that looks like dill?
Wild parsnip is a yellow, four foot tall plant looks like a dill plant or Queen Anne’s lace, but it’s the reaction it causes to your skin that sets it apart. You will find this invasive weed in many road ditches and rural areas.
Is there a plant that looks like dill?
Fennel and dill look remarkably similar. They both have fine-textured, feathery leaves that are topped with umbels of tiny yellow flowers at maturity.
Is false dill edible?
Fake dill is often used in landscaping, I too had one in my family home outside my gate and many passerbys exclaimed at how tall my “dill” is, if they could cut some to eat. Thankfully, they had asked me first – because Artemisia is not edible!
What are the benefits of dillweed?
Research shows that dill can also reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, it is a good source of vitamins A and C, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Some studies suggest that dill is beneficial for reducing inflammation, countering stomach upset, preventing ulcers, reducing free radicals, and providing pain relief.