The aromatic herb dill (Anethum graveolens) is a popular choice for culinary use, providing flavor to everything from pickles to seafood. Growing dill in a container is an excellent way to keep the herb close at hand, but the limited space makes careful selection of companion plants essential. This gardening technique, called companion planting, groups specific species together to promote mutual benefits, such as enhanced growth, natural pest control, and efficient use of resources. When combining plants in a single pot, choosing companions that share similar requirements is important for a thriving miniature garden.
Ideal Companion Plants for Dill
Dill is a beneficial neighbor, primarily due to its ability to attract predatory insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps, which naturally manage common garden pests. Pairing dill with members of the Brassica family, such as kale, cabbage, or broccoli, is a classic combination because the herb repels the damaging cabbage worm and cabbage moth. This natural defense mechanism helps protect the leafy greens.
Certain herbs and vegetables thrive alongside dill by sharing similar needs for moisture and sunlight. Leafy greens like lettuce are good partners because their low-growing habit shades the soil, helping to keep the dill’s root zone cool and moist, which is beneficial in a container environment. Basil is another excellent herb to include, as it prefers the same moist soil conditions as dill.
For a vegetable-focused container, consider planting dill with compact cucumber varieties. Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on cucumber beetles, offering a natural form of protection for the vining plant. Onions and chives are also compatible, as their shallow, fibrous root systems do not compete with dill’s deeper taproot for space and nutrients. The pungent scent of onions can also help deter pests like carrot flies.
Plants to Strictly Avoid Planting with Dill
Some plants should be kept away from dill, particularly in a confined pot, because they stunt its growth or compete too aggressively for resources. Fennel, a close relative of dill, is the most common plant to avoid as it releases compounds that inhibit the growth of many neighboring species, including dill itself. Planting dill near other members of the Umbelliferae family, such as carrots, can also lead to cross-pollination, resulting in poor-tasting or lower-quality seeds.
The Nightshade family, which includes peppers and eggplant, should generally not be combined with dill because both groups have a high demand for soil nutrients like phosphorus. In a small container, this competition quickly depletes the available resources, potentially leading to stunted growth for both the vegetables and the herb. Mature dill that has gone to seed can also negatively affect the growth of tomatoes, so it is often best to keep them separate.
Herbs with drastically different environmental needs are also poor pairings for dill. Herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme prefer their soil to dry out between waterings and thrive in arid conditions. Dill, conversely, requires consistently moist soil, meaning that combining it with drought-tolerant species makes proper watering impossible without compromising one of the plants.
Essential Container Considerations for Combined Planting
Success in container companion planting relies on choosing a pot that can support the mature size of all the selected species. Dill develops a long taproot, which can extend to at least eight inches deep, necessitating a container that is both deep and wide. A container with a diameter of 18 to 24 inches is generally recommended to provide enough soil volume for dill and two or three companion plants without root restriction.
The physical container must also have excellent drainage holes, as excess moisture is a common cause of failure in potted gardening. While dill and its companions prefer consistently moist soil, they cannot tolerate being waterlogged, which suffocates the roots. A well-draining, moderately rich potting mix, ideally with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, is necessary to meet the needs of dill and most of its leafy companion plants.
When arranging the plants, consider their height and sun exposure needs. Position the taller dill plant toward the center or back of the container, ensuring it does not cast too much shade over shorter companions like lettuce or basil. Pairing dill with moist-soil-loving herbs simplifies watering logistics, as this shared need allows for uniform hydration across the container.