Do you want to grow dill in a way other than by planting seeds? If so, why not try taking cuttings in the spring?
Dill is an elegant herb commonly grown as an annual plant for its culinary, and historically medicinal, uses. You can grow dill from cuttings, though most people will traditionally grow dill from seed.
One good thing about dill is that it can be used in many ways. The fresh leaves can be used in cooking, the seeds can be used in baking or pickling, and the flowers can even be used as a flower arrangement. It is a plant with a relatively short lifespan though. Dill grows quickly, and you can pick fresh leaves until it flowers. At the end of summer, the seeds are collected.
If you are looking for a different way of growing dill then it can be done from cuttings. The process of growing dill from cuttings is very easy, and the cuttings can root quickly in water. It might give you a new way to grow more dill in your yard besides just planting seeds one after the other.
Dill is a versatile herb that enhances many dishes with its distinctive flavor. However, like most herbs, dill has a relatively short growing season. It bolts and goes to seed quickly, especially in hot weather. This means you may struggle to have enough fresh dill leaves when you want them.
Luckily, there is an easy way to get more dill plants – propagating from cuttings. Taking cuttings from an existing dill plant and rooting them extends your harvest. In a few weeks, you can have young dill plants ready to provide leaves and seeds.
Propagating dill from cuttings is an uncomplicated process Follow these steps and you’ll soon have all the dill you need
When to Take Dill Cuttings
Early spring to early summer is the ideal time for taking dill cuttings. During the active growing period, dill produces abundant lush new growth. This makes it more likely cuttings will root successfully.
Wait until plants are at least 6 inches tall before taking cuttings. Mature, healthy plants with no signs of flowering or bolting are best.
Choose the Right Cuttings
Pick young, non-flowering dill stems to use as cuttings Look for stems that are
- 4-6 inches long
- Healthy with no discoloration
- Not woody – tender and flexible
Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors to cut stems just below a leaf node. The nodes are the points where leaves emerge from the stem.
Prepare the Cuttings
After cutting, remove all but the top few leaves from each stem. Having fewer leaves means the cutting won’t lose as much moisture before roots form.
Optionally, you can dip the cut end of stems in rooting hormone powder which contains plant growth regulators. This helps promote faster root development.
Root Cuttings in Water
The easiest way to root dill cuttings is in water. Place cuttings in a glass jar or other clear container filled with room temperature water.
Keep the water level stable by adding more as needed. Replace the entire amount weekly to prevent bacteria buildup.
Put the jar in a warm spot with indirect light. Avoid direct hot sun. Change the water every 5-7 days.
Roots will begin emerging in around 2-3 weeks. Let roots grow 1-2 inches long before transplanting into soil.
Root Cuttings in Soil
You can also root dill cuttings directly in potting mix. Use a sterile, well-draining mix made for cuttings and seedlings. Keep it evenly moist but not soaked.
Insert cuttings a few inches apart in the mix, deep enough to stand upright. Gently firm the soil around each stem.
Cover the pot with a plastic bag or propagator lid to boost humidity around the cuttings. This prevents moisture loss while roots initiate.
Place in indirect light and watch for new growth. Remove the cover once cuttings are actively growing. Then transplant into containers or the garden.
Provide the Right Conditions
To ensure dill cuttings root successfully, provide:
- Warmth – temperatures between 65-75°F are ideal
- High humidity around cuttings by using a cover
- Bright indirect light
- Air circulation from a fan prevents fungal issues
- Consistent moisture – avoid letting cuttings dry out
With the right environment, dill cuttings will be ready to harvest in about 8 weeks.
Caring for Rooted Dill Cuttings
Young dill plants need care when first transplanted to help them establish. Follow these tips:
- Harden off plants by slowly introducing to direct sun and wind
- Transplant on a calm, cloudy day to reduce stress
- Handle new plants very gently when transplanting
- Water thoroughly after transplanting
- Provide afternoon shade for the first week
- Pinch out growing tips to encourage branching
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
Within a few weeks, your new dill plants will look at home in their permanent spot.
Troubleshooting Propagation Problems
Occasionally dill cuttings fail to root well. Here are some common issues and solutions:
Cuttings wilting – Increase humidity and avoid direct sun. Water more frequently.
Stems rotting – Allow soil/water to dry out somewhat between waterings. Improve airflow. Remove any rotten cuttings promptly.
Small roots – Let cuttings root longer before transplanting. Provide brighter (not hot) light.
No new growth after transplanting – Transplant into richer soil, water more consistently, or pinch plants.
Leggy or sparse foliage – Give plants more sun. Pinch back tips to encourage branching and fullness.
Getting an Endless Dill Supply
By taking cuttings at the right time and nurturing them along, you can enjoy fresh dill for months longer than plants grown from seed. As one crop of dill nears bolting, root a new batch of cuttings to ensure continued harvests.
Staggered plantings from cuttings mean you’ll have young plants coming along to replace aging ones. You’ll never run out of dill for making pickles, herb butters, salads, and other recipes.
Propagating dill from cuttings is easy, reliable, and keeps you stocked up with this flavorful herb. Get growing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Propagating Dill From Cuttings
If you’re new to propagating dill from cuttings, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
How long do dill cuttings take to root?
Expect dill cuttings to form roots in 2-3 weeks in water. Rooting in soil takes a little longer – around 3-4 weeks.
Can you grow a dill plant from a cutting?
Yes, dill propagates very well from stem cuttings. Taking 4-6 inch tip cuttings in spring and rooting them in water or soil will produce new plants.
Do dill cuttings need light to root?
Dill cuttings prefer bright, indirect light while rooting. Direct hot sunlight can burn and dry out the leaves. But some light is needed for the cutting to grow.
How do you identify the top and bottom of a dill stem?
The tip of the stem where leaves emerge is the top. Cut the bottom just below a leaf node where a leaf pops out from the stem. Remove leaves from the lower half.
Can you root dill in just water or just soil?
Dill can be rooted either in plain water or directly stuck in potting soil. Both methods work well. Some gardeners prefer water for visibility.
Should dill cuttings be covered while rooting?
Using a plastic tent or bag to cover cuttings traps humidity and helps them root faster. But leaving them uncovered also works, especially when rooting in water.
How to store leftover dill until needed?
Wrap fresh dill sprigs in damp paper towels, place in a zip-close bag, and refrigerate up to one week. Or freeze chopped dill in ice cube trays topped with water or oil.
What causes leggy dill plants?
Insufficient sunlight, overcrowding, and lack of pinching back growing tips can cause dill to become tall and leggy with sparse foliage. Give it full sun and pinch regularly.
Can you grow dill as a houseplant?
Dill can be grown as a houseplant but needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily from a south-facing window as it is a sun-lover. Provide room for its long taproot to grow deeply.
How to propagate dill from cuttings
Cutting dill is pretty easy to do, and if the conditions are right, a lot of them should hopefully grow roots. You are better to take cuttings earlier in the plant’s growing season, around late spring. This is because it gives the cutting the most time to grow and produce a good leafy crop before the herb goes to seed in the summer heat. Even so, dill seeds are a valuable crop because they can be used in many recipes whole or crushed.
Andy Laurier from Be Green says that dill is “known for its ability to root easily” and that to give the cuttings the best chance of taking root, you should “choose healthy, non-flowering stems.” He outlines four simple steps to have success with dill cuttings:
- It’s best to buy pruning shears that are clean and sharp. Cut a 4 to 6 inch stem just below a leaf node.
- Take off the bottom leaves and leave just a few on top.
- Fill a glass or jar with water and put the cuttings in it. Make sure the leaf nodes are submerged.
- Keep the cuttings somewhere warm and bright, but out of direct sunlight.
Instead of putting the cuttings in water, you can put them right into a container full of potting mix that drains well. In this case, putting a plastic bag over the cutting can help because it acts like a small greenhouse. This maintains high humidity around the cutting, reduces water loss, and can help support the development of roots. You can put cuttings in pots with domes, like these Plant Nursery Pots with Humidity Domes that you can find on Amazon.
It should not take long for the cuttings to start putting roots out. Jessica Mercer from Plant Addicts says: ‘Dill cuttings take about two to three weeks to form roots in water. Wait for the roots to reach at least an inch or more in length before you transplant the cuttings into soil.’
As soon as the dill has strong roots, it can be planted in a herb planter, a pot as part of container garden ideas, or in the herb garden itself. Dill likes a spot that is sunny and wants to be in well-drained soil. Your dill will not grow well if it is in too much shade or a spot that is too wet.
Care should be taken when moving your new dill plants because this herb can be sensitive to being moved. About a month after planting, start pruning the dill to make it bush out, promote healthy growth, and keep it from flowering too soon.
These pruning shears have blades made of stainless steel that are perfect for making clean cuts when cutting off flower stems, trimming plants, or taking cuttings from small plants.
Another string to dill’s bow is how useful it can be for companion planting. It is a plant that is known to bring good bugs into the garden and can also be used to keep aphids and spider mites away. Dill is regarded as a good companion plant when growing crops including corn, cucumbers, lettuce, and asparagus.
When to take dill cuttings to propagate
Many people grow dill every year as an annual. They either plant seeds directly in the ground in late spring or buy young plants from stores or online.
It’s important to remember that dill doesn’t like having its roots disturbed, so planting seeds indoors and then moving seedlings outside later doesn’t work well. If you do this, the plant will likely bolt quickly and try to go to seed, so you won’t be able to harvest any fresh green dill.
Miguel Palma, professional gardener and owner of Jardin Tienda, claims that growing dill from cuttings ‘can be a rewarding and straightforward process’ and it is an ‘excellent way’ to grow dill plants without relying just on sowing seeds.
He also says this about when to do this: “The best time to take dill cuttings is during the active growing season, which usually happens in the spring or early summer.”
“At this point, the dill plant is actively growing new leaves, which makes it more likely that the cuttings will root.” Look for a healthy, mature dill plant with lush foliage to ensure the best chances of success. ’.
It’s important to keep in mind that taking cuttings of dill isn’t always the best way to grow new plants. Not all cuttings will successfully root each time. Growing dill from seed is often seen as the most dependable way to grow the aromatic herb.
Miguel Palma is a professional gardener with over 20 years of experience in the horticultural business. He is the owner of JardinTienda, a site dedicated to reviewing gardening products and providing independent buyers guides.
Dill flower stems can look stunning in arrangements ( credit: Avalon.red/Alamy Stock Photo)