Dill is such a beautiful herb that compliments a huge number of recipes around the globe. We have already covered excellent ways how you can successfully grow dill Indoors But did you know that there are plenty of dill varieties out there which you can choose from? Each of these varieties offers a distinction in flavor, ways of growing them, and can even take on different physical characteristics and appearances.
Here are some dill varieties you can choose from.
1. Long Island Mammoth
This type of dill, which grows up to 30 inches, is bright, fragrant, and easy to grow. The ideal planting ground for this dill variety is towards the sun where direct and full sunlight is received, and in loose soil which typically dries well. Long Island Mammoth does great both indoors and out provided it gets enough sun. If you decide to have it planted indoors, make sure that your container is at least 12 inches deep as the dill is similar to carrots with long taproots. Its leaves are green and give off a strong flavor making it great for cooks.
2. Fernleaf
For those looking for a great variety to grow indoors look no further than the Fernleaf. This type of dill is more compact, and will generally take up less room than other varieties. This makes it very easier to grow indoors, especially where space is limited.
Fernleaf does well in mild weather areas that get a decent amount of bright, in-direct light. Most windowsills or indoor growing locations satisfy its needs. It dislikes large temperature swings, so keep it away from drafty windows and heating/cooling fixtures.
3. Bouquet
This one is easy to remember because of its bright yellow flowers. Bouquet type thrives in an outdoor setting and can grow as tall as three feet. Some can grow up to 5 feet long given the right planting and growing conditions.
The ideal location for this type is by using loamy soil which drains well. Plant your Bouquet during the spring months between March to May or during the Fall months from September to November. This is the type of dill commonly used for pickling.
4. SuperDukat
SuperDukat grows at least an inch shorter than Bouquet and blooms in a slower phase too. This type is also known for its stronger flavor when compared with other types of dill.
This variety is also a good choice to grow indoors, and its relatively quick growth rate means you’ll have a consistent supply. Superdukat is also slower to bolt as compared to the usual dill types giving you a longer timeframe to harvest edible herb from it.
5. Compatto
Similar to Bouquet, Compattos are also well known for their beautiful foliage. This type of dill is quite hardy, and can survive a bit of neglect in the watering department. It also does well in hot, summer conditions.
Compatto is best grown outdoors as it requires sun and well-draining, fertile soil. You can still grow indoors however, just make sure to provide it with enough sunlight and keep it warm. Compattos dried seeds are often used for pickling while its flowers are a great addition to a flower arrangement.
6. Delikat
Delikat grows quickly, and can grow up to 24 inches. This makes it a great option for those that are looking for a consistent supply of fresh dill. The flowers are also bright yellow and are well known for producing a large number of seeds.
Delikat is often used for canning as well as taking the herbs for culinary purposes. It takes only about a month from planting to harvest, meaning you get to utilize this plant very quickly. In addition, another great feature of Delikat, is that it is more disease resistant as compared to other varieties.
7. Elephant
Unlike another dill, Elephant takes some time to flower and thus you can enjoy a longer time harvesting the leaves. This type of dill is sweet and mild in flavor but strong in the aroma. The leaves are ready for harvest after two to three months.
Similar to Bouquet, this type of plant also grows very large reaching over 4 feet tall in some cases. Elephant dill can sustain light frosting and hot weather, meaning it’s quite a hardy plant. It requires moderate watering and at least six hours of daily sunlight. For a first-time grower, this dill type has moderate difficulty in terms of ease in growing, and is often best done outdoors.
8. Teddy
The dwarf Teddy variety is another great choice for indoor growers. This is a quick growing dill variety, and is usually ready for its first harvest in 1-2 months.
It’s also quite slow to bolt, giving it a long harvest time frame. It’s small footprint also makes it a great choice for small containers, and windowsill growing.
9. Vierling
For a striking variety that looks gorgeous the Vierling is a great choice. It takes a while to grow, but can reach upwards of 5 feet tall when fully grown.
Similar to Bouquet, Vierling is often used as part of a flower arrangement. It develops a golden yellow color, and makes a striking addition to any garden. Expect it to take at least 3 months to start showing its true colors.
10. Herkules
Lastly we have the Herkules variety. This variety is specifically bred to produce more harvestable herbs, as well as have a more intense flavor. If you’re an avid cook this may just be the perfect variety for you.
Outdoors, it can grow up to 3 feet tall, but will often need support due to its large leaves. Even if you don’t plan on eating this plant it’s a great addition to many gardens as it attracts a large variety of pollinators.
This dill type can grow as tall as three feet. But due to its arching leaves, you just need to put some additional support such as a stake to make sure it grows upright. The leaves are ready for harvest in about two months while its ready will be ready in three months. If you have other flowering plants in your garden, this dill type can be a great addition as it is good in attracting pollinator insects.
Dill Varieties
As you might be able to guess, this is just a small small sampling of the many dill varieties that are available. There’s nothing wrong with experimenting, and most varieties will grow perfectly well together. The next time you find yourself at a garden center check and see what varieties they have available.
