Last Updated on December 30, 2021 by Guillermina
Wondering, can you grow Dill indoors? Click to find out everything you need to know to properly plant and care for Dill plants.
Dill is an important culinary resource used in many dishes, especially Mediterranean cuisine, but also beyond. It is an annual, self-seeding plant with feathery green leaves. Dill is especially popular for pickling, but its leaves, as well as seeds, can be used in soups, salads, bread, party sauces, and fish dishes. We are not sure if there is anything that Dill can’t improve with its delicious taste.
However, a very important question arises – can you grow Dill indoors? Keep reading to find out.
What Is A Dill Plant?
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an annual or biennial plant that comes from the parsley family (Apiaceae). It originates from Mediterranean countries and southern Europe and is widely cultivated in India and North America as well. It is most valued for its dried fruits and leaves, which are used to season dishes.
The whole plant is aromatic which means that almost all its parts can be used for some purpose. Its fresh or dried parts are used for flavoring soups, salads, sauces, fish, sandwich fillings, and particularly famous pickles. It can even be used for medical purposes. For example, whole seeds and seed oil are used to treat bloating colic.
Description
Dill can reach stature heights of up to 1.30 meters (50 inches). However, it is usually somewhere between 30 and 80 cm (12 and 31 inches). It is a deep-rooted plant that has narrow and spindle-shaped roots. The stems of the plant have fine rills that are hollow and have small bluish-green spots.
As for the leaves, they are feathery, soft, and reminiscent of small needles and between 30 and 40 cm (12 and 16 inches) tall. In addition, the leaves have “oil passages” that store the essential oils of the plant.
Dill blooms flowers in the form of double umbels that are between 10 and 15 cm (4 and 6 inches) tall. Each umbel usually contains about 25 small and yellow-colored flowers. From these flowers, brown schizocarps develop, and eventually disintegrate into two-winged fruits.
Types Of Dill
These are some of the most famous types of dill plants, which are otherwise particularly suitable for growing indoors.
- Bouquet
- Superdukat
- Fernleaf
- Long Island Mammoth
How To Grow Dill- Best Tips And Tricks
It’s time to finally find out the answer to the question “can you grow Dill indoors”. So, let’s go.
When To Plant Dill?
If you are thinking of starting dill seeds indoors, it would be best to start 4 weeks before the last expected frost date. Planting in October to early spring usually brings ideal germination and good plant growth.
Growing From Seed
- The dill plant grows best when planted from seed compared to transplanting an already established plant. The process goes like this:
- Sprinkle the dill seeds in pots/containers, and then cover them with a 1/4 inch layer of soil mixture.
- Keep the soil equally moist for up to 21 days for the germination process.
- When the seedlings grow 4-6 inches, thin them out on one or two of the strongest plants per pot.
Growing As A Microgreen
- Dill can be grown in your home as a microgreen. Here are the steps to do it:
- Fill a small tray with pre-soaked coconut coir. The average tray size is 4×4 or 5×5”.
- Put 1-2 teaspoons of unsoaked Dill seeds on top, and gently press them into the soil. Don’t cover them with extra layers of soil.
- Moisten the soil using a spray bottle.
- Place the tray in a room where the average temperature is around 70-72 ° F.
- Try to moisten the soil regularly.
Microgreens should be harvested after seed germination, but do so before the first true leaves are formed. The dill plant is usually ready for harvest about 14 days after germination, i.e. when it reaches a height of about 1-2”.
Ideal Conditions For Indoor Cultivation
These are the optimal conditions for growing strong, vigorous plants.
Container & Soil
Since Dill dill forms a long root, the ideal pot is 5 gallons and at least 12 inches deep and equally wide. On the other hand, smaller varieties will settle for in a 10-inch pot. Lastly, keep in mind that if you are planning to plant several dill plants together, try to get a much larger pot.
As for the soil, Dill likes well-drained and loamy soil. You can even mix 20 percent aged manure or compost to make your growing medium richer.
Watering
Watering is the key to success. Therefore, try to water it regularly to keep the soil moist, especially if the place of cultivation is sunny, in hot climates, and during the summer. However, don’t overdo it as excessive watering leads to root rot and fungal diseases.
Sunlight
Your indoor Dill plant will thrive if placed in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. If you can’t afford it, it would be good to provide it with 12 hours of supplemental lighting. These can be incandescent, fluorescent, or LED grow lights.
Temperature
Since it is a cool-season herb, it prefers temperatures above 60°F, ideally somewhere between 65 – 75°F. Try to avoid placing containers too close to windows, doors, or register vents due to cold air.
Temperature oscillations can negatively affect your plant and cause chilling stress, freezing stress, or high-temperature stress. All this can interfere with plant growth and yields.
Harvesting
Your Dill plant is ready for harvest when it reaches a height of 8 inches. To do this, use garden shears or scissors. Cut individual leaflets near the stem and place them in one layer on some sort of grid. Tip: If you don’t want to preserve the seeds snip off the flower buds before they open and seed.
After drying, they are ready for storage in an airtight jar. You can even keep extra trimmings in the refrigerator by putting them in a damp paper towel, and then in a plastic bag.
To Wrap Things Up
If you have come this far, we are sure you know the answer to the question “can you grow Dill indoors”. For your Dill plant to succeed, all you need is sun, regular watering, and lots of love and devotion.
What are your experiences with the indoor and outdoor cultivation of this delicious plant? Let us know in the comments.
Read more about What Are The Best Pots For Growing Herbs Indoors?