5 Best Dill Companion Plants (and 5 to Avoid)

Dill is a tasty herb that’s easy to grow—and when you plant it next to the right neighbors, it can help your garden stay healthy and happy. Some plants grow better when they’re near dill, while others don’t get along so well.

Let’s take a look at which plants make great companion plants for dill, and which ones are best kept far away.

Quick Guide: How to Grow Dill

Before we talk about companions, here’s a fast look at what dill needs to grow:

• Sunlight: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained

• Best Temperature: 60–70°F (15–21°C)

• Spacing: 10–12 inches apart

• Harvest Time: 6–8 weeks after planting

• Lifespan: Annual (grows for one season)

•  Planting Tip: Sow seeds directly after the last frost

Best Plants to Grow with Dill

These five plants grow well with dill and can even benefit from being close to it:

1. Corn

Tall corn stalks give dill some shade, which helps prevent it from drying out or going to seed too early. In return, dill brings in bugs that help pollinate corn.

2. Cucumber

Dill helps cucumbers grow better and taste great! Plus, it attracts helpful bugs that eat cucumber pests like aphids and beetles.

3. Lettuce

Dill’s height gives lettuce a bit of shade, which keeps it cool and stops it from bolting (flowering too soon). Dill’s smell also keeps pests like slugs and snails away.

4. Onion

Dill and onions help each other out by keeping pests away. Onions scare off bugs that bother dill, and dill attracts bugs that eat pests like onion flies.

5. Cabbage (and other brassicas)

Dill helps protect cabbage from common pests like cabbage worms and aphids. Its strong scent confuses and repels harmful bugs.

Plants to Avoid Growing with Dill

These plants don’t do well when planted near dill:

1. Tomatoes

Dill and tomatoes don’t make good neighbors. Dill can slow down tomato growth—especially once it starts to flower. Keep them apart!

2. Carrots

Dill and carrots are from the same plant family, which means they attract the same pests. Dill can also mess with how carrots grow.

3. Cilantro

These two herbs can cross-pollinate and mix their flavors in weird ways. For the best taste, grow dill and cilantro separately.

4. Peppers (and other nightshades like eggplants and potatoes)

Dill can attract bugs that love to attack nightshades. Plus, dill’s strong smell can mess with the flavor of these plants.

5. Lavender

Lavender likes dry soil, while dill prefers more moisture. Lavender can also overshadow dill and stop it from growing well.

FAQs About Dill Companion Planting

Can I grow dill next to parsley?

It’s not the best idea. They’re from the same family and attract the same bugs.

What about peas?

Peas can grow tall and shade out dill. They’re not great neighbors either.

Is dill easy to grow?

Yes! Dill is simple to grow, fast-growing, and doesn’t need much care. Just be sure to give it space—it can spread quickly.

Can dill grow near tomatoes?

Young dill plants can help repel tomato pests. But once dill starts to flower, it can hurt tomato growth. If you grow them together, harvest the dill before it gets too big.

Final Thoughts

Dill is a helpful herb for many gardens—but it’s important to know who its friends and foes are. By planting dill next to the right companions (like cucumbers, onions, and cabbage), you can improve plant health, reduce pests, and grow a thriving garden.

Avoid planting it near tomatoes, carrots, and lavender, and you’ll be set for success!