Anethum

( ah - NEE - thum )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of annual or biennial flowering plants is native to the Middle East and the Sahara region of northern Africa. Plants are typically subshrubs or herbs, and produce yellow flowers in umbelliform inflorescences. The most well-known species in the genus is Anethum graveolens, commonly known as Dill or Dill Weed. Add Anethums to mixed beds and borders, or plant them alongside other edibles or crop plants in herb or vegetable gardens. They can also do well cultivated in containers.

Anethum Species and Varietals

The genus Anethum is a member of the Carrot plant family Apiaceae, and includes just four species. The genus name is derived from the Latin form of Greek words 'anison', which referred to Anise or Dill plants. The fennel plant (Foeniculum vulgare) was once included in this genus under the species name Anethum foeniculum. Anethum plants can be grown in any zone; To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Anethum graveolens (Anethum sowa, Peucedanum graveolens) (Dill, Dill Weed, Anet, Dill-Oil Plant, East Indian Dill, Indian Dill, Meeting-Seed, Sabbath Day Posy)
This species grows to reach between 1.5 and 5 feet tall when mature and in bloom, and forms a taproot similar to a Carrot. Stems are slender and hollow, and leaves are finely divided and delicate. Flowers are yellow to white and bloom in summertime. The species is native to North Africa, Iran, and the Arabian Peninsula, and is cultivated worldwide as a flavorful herb. Cultivars are listed below:

'Ambrosia'
Fragrant polish heirloom variety with exceptional aroma and flavor.

'Bouquet'
Great dill for pickling, seeds, and cut flowers.

'Compatto'
Fantastic Dill variety to be grown in a pot on the kitchen counter.

'Dukat'
The feathery foliage of this variety is great for adding to yogurts and fish. Mild flavor.

'Elephant'
A plant with an extended harvest time that is slow to bolt.

'Long Island Mammoth'
A tall cultivar with a tangy aroma, great for pickling.

'Lucullus'
Early-maturing and high-yielding variety. Intense aroma and flavor.

Caring for Anethum

Dill plants can be purchased as starts from nurseries but they are also very easy to grow from seed, and will even self-sow in the garden and spread throughout the landscape if seed heads are not cut off in time. Seedlings will appear in about two weeks, and can be transplanted out once they are a few inches tall. If growing from seed, make sure to space plants between 1 and 2 inches apart, and sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch under the soil surface. Pick a sunny location (one that receives between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day) for planting Anethum. These plants are not picky about soil pH, but will perform best in slightly acidic soil (around 5.5-6.0). Ensure that soil is well-draining. If local soils are particularly poor or have bad structure, make sure to amend with plenty of organic matter and compost before installing plants. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Keep plants consistently watered at maturity; skipping waterings will cause plants to bolt (especially in warm weather).

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Growing Dill plants in soil that is a bit under-fertile will produce the most aromatic plants, so make sure to not over-fertilize. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. When flowers start to emerge, cut them off of the plant if leaves are still being harvested. At the end of the season, plants can be allowed to flower for the purposes of seed collecting. Anethum are annuals or biennials, and are short-lived in the garden, but will freely re-seed if flowering heads are allowed to mature, providing plants year after year.

Harvesting Anethum
Dill leaves can be harvested any time before the plant flowers; they are considered a cut-and-come-again herb. Later-stage growth leaves (those that emerge just before flowers) will have the best flavor. Once flowers develop, the plant will cease to send its energy into its foliage and instead focus on flower and seed development. Cutting off flowering heads is a good way to keep the plant focused on foliage growth. Dill leaves can be used fresh, frozen, or dried, and are typically used on potatoes, salmon, other fish dishes, lamb, or vegetables.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Anethum plants are best propagated by seed. To propagate your Dill plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Anethum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest the seeds. Seed heads are borne on the umbelliform inflorescences that remain on the plant once flowers have faded. Typically, when flowers and subsequent seed pods appear, this means that the Dill plant will not be producing as many leaves that can be used for flavoring dishes. Many backyard gardeners will dedicate one of their Dill plants to flowering in order to both harvest the most dill possible and harvest flowers and seeds. Remove the entire head from the plant and pace it in a bag to avoid dropping seeds. Seeds can be sown immediately or stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. They will stay viable for up to 5 years if stored properly.
In springtime (6-8 weeks before the last frost date), water the prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place seeds about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with a spray bottle. Place in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination typically takes between 10 and 24 days from sowing. Once seedlings sprout and are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of a fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when it can be transplanted it to its new home out in the garden.
Alternatively, Anethum seeds can be direct-sown into the garden soil once soil temperatures are consistently staying above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Space seeds 1-2 inches apart, and once seedlings emerge, thin so that they are between 8 and 10 inches apart.

Anethum seed heads.

Anethum seeds.

Problems and Pests

Take care when planting Anethum species in the landscape, as they will freely self-seed and establish itself in wild areas near urban developments, especially in roadsides and in disturbed agricultural areas. These plants are considered invasive in the United States. Anethum plants are typically pest and disease free, but they can be susceptible to the following issues and pests in certain conditions: