Hera

Family: Apiaceae Herb

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

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.