Container gardening opens up the wide world of plants to those who may not have a yard or garden space. Growing dill in containers is an easy way to begin herb gardening an dyou get dill to use in fresh fish dishes, dill vegetable dip (one of my favorites), and homemade pickles!

Why grow herbs in containers?

Dill is an excellent choice for a container herbs garden for several reasons. Not only is it a beautiful and fragrant plant, but all parts of the plant are edible! True story. It’s also easy to grow, and it can be kept pruned to fit the space where it’s being grown.

Learn how to grow dill in pots with these easy-to-follow guidelines.

What size pot is best?

Dill forms a long taproot, so it will need a deep pot to grow in. Select a pot that is at least 12-inches deep and equally as wide. If you want to grow a grouping of several dill plants, use a much bigger pot. The pot will need several drainage holes in the bottom to promote good drainage. If you find a pot you love that has no holes, you can create them on your own with a good drill.

Dill is a top-heavy plant and tends to fall once it matures because of its weak and hollow stems. The pot will also need space for a support stake or trellis if you plan to allow the plant to grow un-pruned.

Best soil for growing dill

Use well-drained, loamy potting soil when growing dill in pots. This hardy annual will tolerate poor soil, but it will grow better if you add a cup full of compost to the soil at planting time. And who doesn’t want to give their dill the best shot possible?

Compost will keep the plant fed, promote drainage, and help prevent soil compaction.

When to Plant Dill

If dill is being grown indoors in pots, then the seeds can be planted at any time of the year. Place one seed in prepared pot, moisten soil, cover top of container with plastic wrap, and place in a warm, bright location. When seed germinates, remove plastic wrap and keep soil moist.

When growing in a pot in an outdoor location, wait until spring to plant the seed in a prepared pot. Keep soil moist, but not soaking wet during this early time.

Place pot in a location that receives at least 6-hours of direct sunlight and good air circulation. I like to add dill, a tall and leggy plant, to a pot with low growing plants. It’s a great way to add interest and fragrance to containers!

How to care for dill in containers

Allow the top of soil to become dry to the touch between waterings. (Use the finger test. If your push your finger in the soil and it’s wet, don’t water. If it’s dry, water your plant.) Dill does not like soggy soil and will develop root rot if over-watered. Apply water at the soil level and avoid getting foliage wet to prevent fungal diseases.

Feed plant once a month with water-soluble plant food during the spring and summer. I like Espoma’s organic plant food for a slow release option that’s easy to apply.

For indoor-grown pots of dill, harvest, and prune as needed to keep plant looking tidy but don’t remove more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. When dill is grown in pots outdoors it can be allowed to grow naturally or be kept pruned. An un-pruned dill plant will develop tiny yellow flowers that are filled with edible seeds.