12 Dill Companion Plants That Will Make Your Crop Thrive

Dill plant — Credit:
Devid / Getty Images

Garden enthusiasts agree that dill is a classic herb to grow, especially when paired with companion plants that can help it thrive. The right companion plant for dill is one that shares essential characteristics with the herb but also offers unique benefits of its own that will help ward off pests, retain soil moisture, and offer an array of other growing advantages. We asked plant experts for their picks for the most beneficial dill companion plants to help your crop perform its best.

Isabel Branstrom, product development manager for vegetables at PanAmerican Seed, where she helps to introduce new vegetable varieties to the market
Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app

01 of 12

Asparagus

Dill attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings that prey on asparagus beetles. Planting dill near asparagus can naturally reduce pest populations, leading to healthier growth, says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app.

Zones: 3 to 8
Mature size: 4 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; water weekly, plus more during the summer heat

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02 of 12

Basil

Both dill and its herb companion plant, basil, benefit from each other by improving growth and flavor. Dill can also help repel aphids, notes Spoonemore.

Zones: 4 to 12
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; light and consistent watering

03 of 12

Broccoli

Dill attracts insects that prey on pests affecting broccoli, such as aphids and cabbage worms, says Spoonemore.

Zones: 3 to 10
Mature size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; consistent, moderate watering

04 of 12

Brussels Sprouts

Dill attracts insects that help control pests on Brussels sprouts, like aphids and cabbage loopers, notes Spoonemore.

Zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil; consistent watering

05 of 12

Chives

"Dill and chives both thrive before things get too hot," says Isabel Branstrom, product development manager for vegetables at PanAmerican Seed. "When they do go to flower, though, they both provide great floral resources for pollinators. Dill is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies, so keep an eye out for the caterpillars."

Zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches high x 12 to 16 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil rich in organic matter; water as needed all season to keep soil evenly moist

Keep your eye out for the first sign of wilt. Wilting is a sure sign that your chives need water.

06 of 12

Corn

Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on corn pests, such as aphids and earworms, says Spoonemore. Spoonemore recommends fertilizing corn every four weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer.

Zones: 4 to 8
Mature size: 5 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil; water weekly and more often in hot weather

07 of 12

Cucumbers

"Dill and cucumbers are two peas in a pod," says Branstrom. Because they are often combined to make pickles, planting them close together can provide a convenient harvest. In addition, says Spoonemore, dill attracts pollinators that can help increase cucumber yields and predatory insects that control pests. "Interplanting dill with cucumbers helps ensure better pollination and natural pest management,” she says.

Zones: 4 to 12
Mature size: 36 to 60 inches tall (with a trellis) x 36 to 60 inches wide.
Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained, evenly moist soil; water deeply once a week

08 of 12

Kale

Kale is a cool-season vegetable that times well with dill, says Branstrom. Both begin to bolt (produce flowers and seeds) when temperatures get too hot in the summertime, and they both do well as spring and fall plantings. Another bonus of their companionship is that flowering dill can attract predatory insects that will keep pests from attacking your kale, says Branstrom.

Zones: 7 to 10
Mature size: 12 to 15 inches tall x 12 to 15 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained, loamy soil fortified with organic matter; water deeply but infrequently

09 of 12

Lettuce

Lettuce is an excellent leafy companion for dill, says Branstrom. Because lettuce is shorter than dill, it can help shade dill roots and keep soil from drying out too quickly. This is especially helpful when gardening in containers or raised beds.

Zones: 4 to 9
Mature size: 8 to 10 inches high x 8 to 12 inches wide.
Care requirements: Full sun to light shade; well-drained soil; water deeply at least once a week and more frequently during drought

Lettuce is generally disease and pest-free, but you should still be vigilant, notes Branstrom. Watch for lettuce rot, which first attacks the lower leaves in contact with the soil and then spreads throughout the plant.

10 of 12

Marigolds

Marigolds are excellent companion plants for dill because they have natural pest-repellent properties, particularly against nematodes and aphids, notes Spoonemore. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, which will help control pests in your garden. "Marigolds are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions," says Spoonemore.

Zones: 2 to 11
Mature size: 6 inches to 4 feet tall x 6 inches to 2 feet wide (varies by species)
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; regular, consistent watering

11 of 12

Onion

Dill attracts insects that are beneficial to onions, such as parasitic wasps and ladybugs, says Spoonemore. Planting dill alongside onions can create a natural pest control barrier, leading to healthier crops.

Zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil; provide consistent moisture and stop watering when tops fall over, says Spoonemore

12 of 12

Oregano

Oregano is a great companion for dill, says Spoonemore, because it can help repel pests such as aphids, spider mites, and cabbage loopers. It also attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, aiding in pollination. Oregano is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in slightly dry conditions, says Spoonemore.

Zones: 5 to 10
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; water weekly

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