Dill Plant

Dill is an aromatic, annual herb, growing from 40-75 cm high. The fine blue-green leaves are delicate, feather like and fan out in like an intricate web on small stems, extending approximately 20 cm. The main stem is tall, slender and hollow. It branches out at the top and supports a wide mass of yellow flowers held in small clusters. The flowers act as beneficial insect attractants at the height of summer.

The native habitat of dill is the Mediterranean, Southern Russia, Southern and Central China and in some areas of Spain, Portugal and Italy. It is a very popular herb in Russian cooking.

Today, dill is known mostly for its culinary uses, but its history goes back to the Middle Ages, where it was often mentioned in writing. In medieval times, dill was associated with superstitious beliefs and magic. Placing dill above the door was reputed to ward against witches and sorcery. Its name was taken from the term ‘dilla’ which means ‘to lull’ in deference to the lulling of discomfort associated with digestive disorders, particularly in children.