Why I Plant Dill As A Companion Plant In Summer, Even Though It Won't Taste Good
Not every plant in my garden is planted to be eaten. Some are there for much larger purposes.
Dill is one of them. Planted intentionally in late spring, growing through the heat of summer, it doesn't build the soft, feathery flavor for cooking. Instead it flowers quickly.
Here's Its Bigger Purpose
Dill left to flower first sends up tall stalks — and those stalks do two things. First, Swallowtail butterflies find them and lay their eggs right on the leaves, and the caterpillars settle in to feed. I let them. It's a small trade off for the butterflies that follow.
From tiny specks to giant caterpillars doing acrobatics on the leaves — then the hunt for cocoons, and the joy of watching them take flight.
Not long after, those flowers pull in aphids. A lot of them. And this is the part I actually planted for: right behind the aphids, the beneficial insects arrive — hoverflies, ladybugs, parasitic wasps, all showing up to feast on those aphids. It turns into a full-blown insect party centered entirely on my dill patch.
That party is doing real work. By sacrificing one plant to the pests, I get a standing crew of beneficial insects living right in the garden — and they're the reason squash, peppers, and tomatoes stay healthy without a single spray.
This is companion planting at its best: using one plant's relationship with pests and beneficial insects to protect everything growing around it. It's one of the simplest forms of natural aphid control I use, and it costs nothing but a packet of dill seed and a little patience while it does its work.
Nothing in My Garden Is Random
Nothing in my gardens is planted without a reason. Dill in summer is an attractant. Lemon verbena earns its spot for its scent. French marigolds go in for what they do for the soil. None of it is random — every plant is doing a job, even the ones that never make it to a plate.
Hi, I'm Lisa.
Owner, garden designer & educator for Flourish & Feast Gardens.
As a native Southern Californian, I know our microclimates well — from the mountains of Big Bear to the valleys of San Gabriel to the coast.
I started Flourish & Feast Gardens after years of watching plants die in my own yard — now I help families grow food, flowers, and pollinator sanctuaries that actually thrive. Productive, beautiful, and a little wild at the edges.
Curious what your yard could become? Book a free 15 min discovery call with me. I'd love to meet you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Dill in Summer
Why does dill bolt in hot weather?
Dill bolts, or flowers, quickly in hot weather because heat and long daylight hours trigger the plant to shift from leaf growth to seed production. This is a natural, temperature-driven response — not a sign of disease or poor care. Once dill starts flowering, its leaves lose the soft, mild flavor prized in cooking.
Is dill a good companion plant for vegetable gardens?
Yes, dill is considered a valuable companion plant because its flowers attract both pollinators and beneficial insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. These beneficial insects help control aphids and other garden pests on nearby vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, and squash — making dill a natural, pesticide-free pest control strategy.
How do you get rid of aphids without pesticides?
One natural way to control aphids without pesticides is to plant flowering herbs like dill, which attract aphid predators such as ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. Letting aphids establish on a sacrificial plant like dill draws these beneficial insects into the garden, where they then help control aphid populations on other plants.
What is a trap crop and how does it work?
A trap crop is a plant used to lure pests away from — or, in the case of insectary planting, to help build up populations of — beneficial insects that protect the rest of the garden. Dill functions this way when left to flower: it attracts aphids, and the beneficial insects that follow help keep pest pressure low throughout the garden.
Is dill a host plant for butterflies?
Yes, dill is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies — most commonly the Anise Swallowtail here in Southern California. Female butterflies lay their eggs on dill leaves, and the caterpillars feed there before forming a chrysalis and eventually emerging as adult butterflies — making dill a valuable addition to any pollinator or butterfly garden.
What are examples of beneficial insects in the garden?
Common beneficial insects found in vegetable gardens include ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps — all of which prey on aphids and other common garden pests. Attracting these insects with flowering plants like dill is a natural pest management strategy that reduces the need for pesticides.
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