Hera

Family: Apiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Fragrant and richly aromatic from the first feathery fronds, Hera dill unfurls into a lush, upright plant with a clean, sweet-herb character and a bright, cooling finish.

The foliage is finely textured and tender, holding its color beautifully for fresh use while developing a fuller, more pungent dill flavor as it matures. Ideal for dill-forward flavoring in pickles, brines, and herb blends, Hera’s steady growth makes it a standout for gardeners who love dependable, garden-fresh fragrance at about 55 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

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Hera Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hera dill is all about that immediate, lifted perfume—fine enough to scatter raw, but with enough bite to stand up in vinegar brines without turning muddy. Use it late in the process so the fronds stay bright and the flavor stays cooling and specific.

Best Uses

fresh frond-heavy topping on hot potatoes or buttered eggs
dill-forward brines and quick pickles where the aroma needs to stay clean
stirred into sour cream or yogurt as a cooling finishing herb
mixed into herb blends for gravlax-style curing and seasoning salt

Flavor Profile

fragrant sweet-herb dill aroma bright cooling finish tender feathery texture with a fuller, more pungent profile as it matures

Kitchen Pairings

cucumbers lemon sour cream Greek yogurt white vinegar salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Anethum graveolens (dill), and how can I manage it?

Dill commonly suffers from fungal leaf spots (often promoted by humid, crowded foliage) and can attract aphids on young growth. Improve airflow by thinning seedlings to stand about 6–8 in (15–20 cm) apart and water at the soil line to keep leaves dry. If leaf spots appear, remove affected foliage and spray with an organic copper fungicide per label directions; for aphids, hose off with water and repeat as needed before infestations build.

How often should I water dill during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

During active growth (from emergence through leaf production), keep the top 1 in (2–3 cm) of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water about 1–2 times per week, increasing frequency during hot, dry spells, and reduce watering if the soil stays soggy or the plant looks stressed with yellowing.

How can I tell when Anethum graveolens is ready to harvest (leaves and seeds)?

For leaf harvest, start picking when plants are well established and reach roughly 8–12 in (20–30 cm) tall—use leaves anytime up to flowering, but harvest regularly to encourage fresh growth. For seed harvest, wait until flowering umbels turn brown and dry on the plant; cut the umbels and dry them further until seeds loosen easily.