Dill vs Parsley

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Apiaceae · herbs

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Apiaceae · herbs

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Dill (Zones 2-11)

Parsley (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Dill	Parsley
Scientific Name	Anethum graveolens	Petroselinum crispum
Family	Apiaceae	Apiaceae
Category	herbs	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	1'
Spread	1'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	Yellow-green (second year)
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Mediterranean	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Dill

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Parsley

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Dill

✓Direct sow — dill doesn't transplant well due to taproot.
✓Succession plant every 3 weeks.
✓Let some plants go to seed for self-sowing and for harvest.
✓Attracts swallowtail butterflies.

Parsley

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting — slow to germinate (3-4 weeks).
✓Harvest outer stems first.
✓Cut flower stalks to prolong leaf production.
✓Swallowtail butterfly host plant.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Dill if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Parsley if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View DillProfile →View ParsleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Dill and Parsley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Dill grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Parsley grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Dill and Parsley have the same sun and water needs?

Dill needs full sun and medium water, while Parsley needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Dill or Parsley?

Dill grows taller at 3' compared to Parsley at 1'. Dill spreads 1' while Parsley spreads 1'.

Are Dill and Parsley deer resistant?

Dill is deer resistant, but Parsley is not. If deer are a concern, Dill is the better choice, or protect Parsley with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Dill or Parsley?

Both Dill and Parsley have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Dill	Parsley
Scientific Name	Anethum graveolens	Petroselinum crispum
Family	Apiaceae	Apiaceae
Category	herbs	herbs
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	1'
Spread	1'	1'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	Yellow-green (second year)
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Mediterranean	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Dill

✓Direct sow — dill doesn't transplant well due to taproot.
✓Succession plant every 3 weeks.
✓Let some plants go to seed for self-sowing and for harvest.
✓Attracts swallowtail butterflies.

Parsley

✓Soak seeds overnight before planting — slow to germinate (3-4 weeks).
✓Harvest outer stems first.
✓Cut flower stalks to prolong leaf production.
✓Swallowtail butterfly host plant.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Dill if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Choose Parsley if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Dill and Parsley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Dill grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Parsley grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Dill and Parsley have the same sun and water needs?

Dill needs full sun and medium water, while Parsley needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Dill or Parsley?

Dill grows taller at 3' compared to Parsley at 1'. Dill spreads 1' while Parsley spreads 1'.

Are Dill and Parsley deer resistant?

Dill is deer resistant, but Parsley is not. If deer are a concern, Dill is the better choice, or protect Parsley with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Dill or Parsley?

Both Dill and Parsley have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.