How to Grow Dill and Cilantro (Aromatic Herbs)

Dill and Cilantro (Aromatic Herbs)

Anethum graveolens (Dill) and Coriandrum sativum (Cilantro)

herb

Dill and cilantro are fast-growing, cool-season aromatic herbs prized for their distinctive flavors and culinary uses. Both are prolific self-seeders that bolt quickly in heat, making them ideal for spring and fall gardening. Their feathery foliage and delicate flowers attract beneficial insects and pollinators.

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Example Dill and Cilantro (Aromatic Herbs) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Dill and Cilantro (Aromatic Herbs)
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Dill and Cilantro (Aromatic Herbs)
Around May 22

≈ 35 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Dill and Cilantro (Aromatic Herbs) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; partial shade in hot climates to delay bolting

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Water: Moderate and consistent moisture; water deeply 2-3 times per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Both herbs prefer slightly drier conditions than basil and are drought-tolerant once established.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 35-50 days for leaf harvest; 60-80 days for seed production

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches; seeds are tiny and should be surface-sown or barely covered

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure for organic matter Perlite or sand if soil is heavy clay Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer (promotes foliage over flavor)

Growing Zones

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Zones 3-10; both thrive as cool-season crops in spring and fall, or year-round in mild climates

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

7-14 days

Tiny feathery cotyledons emerge; first true leaves appear thread-like and delicate.

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when 2-3 inches tall. Avoid transplanting; both herbs prefer direct sowing.

Vegetative (Leaf Growth)

3-4 weeks

Rapid foliage development with increasingly fine, feathery leaves. Plants reach 8-12 inches in height.

Water regularly and pinch off flower buds to extend leaf production. Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant is established. Provide consistent moisture and moderate light.

Flowering

2-3 weeks

Small, delicate flowers appear in flat-topped umbel clusters (dill) or tiny white/pink flowers (cilantro). Plant elongates and becomes less leafy.

Bolting accelerates in heat and long days. Allow some plants to flower for seed production and pollinators. Harvest leaves before full flowering for best flavor.

Seed Development

3-4 weeks

Flowers fade and seeds form in brown, ridged structures (dill) or small round seeds (cilantro). Plant becomes woody and declines.

Leave plants to mature if harvesting seeds. Hang dry seed heads in paper bags to collect seeds when fully mature and brown.

Harvest & Senescence

Ongoing

Plant completes life cycle and dies back, having produced seeds for self-seeding.

Allow some seed heads to drop naturally for next year's crop. Remove spent plants to garden compost.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lettuce Spinach Carrot Onion Asparagus Broccoli Kale Beet Chamomile Parsley Chives

Avoid planting near:

Fennel (allelopathic; inhibits growth of many plants) Tomato (cilantro may stunt tomato growth in some cases) Potato

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil if severe. Improve air circulation.
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Attract ladybugs with flowers.
Hand-pick caterpillars (they're beneficial—let them feed on dill for butterflies). Tolerate minor damage.
Remove affected leaves. Use row covers early in season. Neem oil spray if infestation is heavy.
Yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Uses

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Seasoning & Flavoring

Culinary

Dill is essential in Scandinavian, Eastern European, and Russian cuisines, particularly for pickling, salmon dishes, and dill bread. Cilantro (coriander leaves) is fundamental to Mexican, Indian, Thai, and Middle Eastern cooking, used fresh in salsas, chutneys, curries, and as garnish. [source]

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Dill Seeds & Coriander Seeds

Culinary

Mature dill and cilantro seeds are dried and used as spices in pickling, baking, curries, and spice blends. Coriander seeds have a warm, citrusy flavor widely used in Indian and Mexican cooking. [source]

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Digestive & Anti-inflammatory

Medicinal

Dill tea aids digestion, reduces gas, and alleviates hiccups (dill water was traditionally given to infants). Cilantro is used in traditional medicine for detoxification and anti-inflammatory benefits, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

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Flavored Oils & Vinegars

Household

Fresh dill and cilantro leaves can be infused into vinegars and oils for gourmet cooking. Both herbs are used to make flavored butters for fish and vegetables. [source]

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Pollinator Support & Beneficial Insects

Wildlife

Dill and cilantro flowers attract pollinators, parasitic wasps, and hoverflies that control garden pests. The black swallowtail butterfly caterpillar feeds on dill, making it a host plant for this beneficial insect. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

For Dill: Harvest leaves continuously once plant is 6-8 inches tall by pinching or cutting outer stems. Best before flowering. For seed, allow flowers to fully mature and turn brown, then harvest entire seed head into a paper bag. For Cilantro: Begin harvesting outer leaves at 4-6 weeks. Pinch flower buds to extend leaf production. Once bolting begins, flavor quality declines rapidly. Both herbs have the best flavor when harvested in early morning after dew dries. For maximum yield, succession plant every 2-3 weeks from early spring through midsummer and again in late summer for fall harvest.

Fun Facts

🌱 Cilantro (coriander leaves) polarizes palates: about 14% of people have a genetic variation that makes cilantro taste like soap due to olfactory receptors responding to aldehydes in the plant.
🌱 Dill was used in ancient Egyptian embalming and medicine, and the name comes from the Old Norse 'dilla' meaning to soothe or calm.
🌱 Both herbs are prolific self-seeders; if allowed to go to seed, they will regenerate year after year with minimal intervention, creating a sustainable herb garden.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Compost Direct Sow Full Sun Partial Shade Transplant True Leaves

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