Plants That Look Like Dill

If you love the look of dill’s delicate, feathery leaves but want more options for your garden, you’re in the right place. Many plants that look like dill can add similar texture and airy beauty to your beds and containers. This guide will help you identify these look-alikes, understand their different needs, and choose the perfect ones for your space.

Knowing these similar plants prevents mix-ups in the herb garden and opens up a world of design possibilities. From edible herbs to striking ornamentals, let’s look at the best candidates.

This list covers annuals, perennials, and even a few wildflowers. Remember, while foliage may be similar, their growing habits, flowers, and uses vary widely.

1. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Fennel is the plant most commonly confused with dill. Its fine, thread-like foliage is almost identical. You can tell them apart by a few key features:

Smell: Crush a leaf. Fennel smells like licorice or anise, while dill is tangy and grassy.
Base: Bulb fennel forms a thick, crisp bulb at the stem base.
Height: Fennel often grows taller, sometimes reaching 6 feet.

It’s a perennial herb but can be aggressive. Plant it where it can spread or in a container.

2. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

For a flowering annual with dill-like leaves, cosmos is a top pick. Its foliage is finely dissected and feathery, creating a beautiful green backdrop.

The plants produce cheerful daisy-like flowers in pinks, whites, and crimsons.
They are incredibly easy to grow from seed and bloom all summer.
They prefer full sun and tolerate poor, dry soil.

They’re perfect for cottage gardens and cutting gardens. The ‘Seashells’ or ‘Double Click’ varieties offer extra interest.

3. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria chamomilla)

Both Roman and German chamomile have fine, ferny foliage. The leaves are more delicate than dill but share that lacy appearance.

German chamomile is an annual with small, daisy-like flowers used for tea.
Roman chamomile is a low-growing perennial sometimes used as a fragrant lawn.
Both prefer cool weather and full to partial sun.

It’s a lovely, dual-purpose plant for herb gardens and path edges.

4. Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)

Carrot tops, especially in their early growth stages, look very much like dill. This makes sense, as they’re in the same plant family (Apiaceae).

The foliage is a bit coarser than dill but has the same feathery compound structure.
You’ll mostly see this similarity in young plants before the root develops.
Wild carrot, or Queen Anne’s Lace, is the weedy ancestor with identical foliage.

Be cautious: Poison hemlock also looks similar, so never forage unless you are absolutely certain.

5. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus)

Not a true fern, this houseplant and tender perennial has soft, plume-like foliage that mimics dill’s texture.

It’s a popular choice for hanging baskets and container arrangements.
It prefers bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.
In warm climates, it can be grown outdoors as a perennial.

It provides that feathery look in shaded spots where dill wouldn’t thrive.

6. Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)

This ornamental grass offers a different form but the same ethereal, fine texture. Its thin, green strands wave gracefully in the breeze.

It forms a fountain-like clump about 2 feet tall and wide.
It is extremely drought-tolerant and loves full sun.
A word of caution: It can self-seed readily in some areas, check if it’s invasive in your region.

It’s stunning when backlit by the sun and adds movement to the garden.

7. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

The leaves of anise hyssop are more mint-like than dill, but their toothed edges and growth habit can give a similar impression from a distance.

The real star is its licorice scent and spikes of purple flowers that attract pollinators.
It’s a tough, drought-tolerant perennial.
Both the leaves and flowers are edible and make a sweet tea.

It’s a fantastic pollinator plant that brings bees and butterflies to your yard.

Other Notable Mentions

Parsley: Curly parsley has a denser form, but flat-leaf parsley has a somewhat similar leaf structure, though it’s broader.
Chervil: A delicate herb with lacy leaves, but it’s more delicate and prefers shade.
Yarrow (Achillea): Some varieties, especially the fern-leaf yarrow, have very fine, dissected foliage.
Rue (Ruta graveolens): Has blue-green, finely divided leaves. Note: It can cause skin irritation in some people.

How to Choose and Grow These Look-Alikes

Selecting the right plant depends on your goal. Here’s a simple decision guide:

For Edible Gardens:

Choose Fennel for a licorice flavor and tall, dramatic presence.
Pick Chamomile for a calming tea and pretty ground cover.
Opt for Carrots if you want a root vegetable with familiar foliage.

Remember to give these herbs plenty of sun and well-drained soil. They don’t like wet feet.

For Ornamental Beauty:

Pick Cosmos for constant, easy flowers and airy texture.
Choose Mexican Feather Grass for drought-tolerant movement and sound.
Try Asparagus Fern for containers or shady nooks that need softening.

These plants are generally low-maintenance. Deadhead cosmos for more blooms, and divide grasses if they get to big.

Key Differences in Care

While they look alike, their needs differ. Dill is a cool-season annual that bolts in heat. Cosmos loves the heat. Fennel is a perennial. Always check the plant tag for specifics on:

Sun requirements (Full sun vs. part shade)
Water needs (Drought-tolerant vs. consistent moisture)
Hardiness zone (Annual vs. perennial in your area)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When working with plants that look like dill, a few pitfalls can cause problems.

Misidentification: Never forage or eat a plant based solely on leaf appearance. The Apiaceae family contains highly poisonous plants like poison hemlock and water hemlock. Always use multiple identifiers—smell, stem, flowers, and habitat—or grow from known seed.
Wrong Placement: Don’t assume they all have the same light needs. Planting chamomile in full hot sun or cosmos in deep shade will lead to poor performance.
Overcrowding: That feathery foliage needs space to breathe. Follow spacing recommendations to ensure good air circulation and prevent disease.
Ignoring Invasiveness: Some plants, like fennel and Mexican feather grass in certain areas, can spread aggressively. Research your local invasive species lists before planting.

Design Tips for Using Feathery Foliage

This type of foliage is a designer’s secret weapon. Here’s how to use it effectively:

Softening Edges: Use cosmos or fennel to blur the edges of paths or hardscapes.
Creating Layers: Place taller plants like fennel at the back of a border, with cosmos in the middle, and chamomile at the front.
Textural Contrast: Pair fine foliage with plants that have bold, broad leaves like hostas or bergenia. The contrast makes both stand out.
In Containers: Asparagus fern or a single fennel plant adds a soft, trailing or upright element to pot arrangements.

These plants catch light and movement beautifully, adding a sense of lightness to any planting scheme.

FAQ: Plants That Look Like Dill

Q: What plant has leaves like dill but isn’t?
A: Fennel is the most common. Cosmos, chamomile, and young carrot tops are also strong look-alikes.

Q: Is there a flower that looks like dill?
A: Yes! Cosmos is a flowering annual with very similar, feathery foliage and produces abundant blooms.

Q: What looks like dill but is poisonous?
A: Poison hemlock and water hemlock have finely divided leaves that can resemble dill, carrot, or parsley. They are extremely toxic. Never eat a wild plant unless you are 100% certain of its identity.

Q: Can I use fennel instead of dill in cooking?
A: Not directly. Fennel has a strong anise flavor, while dill is grassy and tangy. They are not good substitutes for each other in recipes, though both are delicious in their own right.

Q: What herb looks like dill?
A: Besides fennel, herbs like chervil and tarragon have somewhat similar fine leaves, though their growth habits and flavors are distinct.

Q: Why does my dill look different?
A> Dill varieties can vary. Some, like ‘Fernleaf,’ are bushier with more compact foliage. Others, like ‘Bouquet,’ are taller with more sparse leaves. Growing conditions also affect its appearance.

Adding plants with feathery foliage like dill’s is a wonderful way to introduce texture and lightness to your garden. By understanding the differences between these look-alikes, you can make smart choices that lead to a beautiful and thriving garden space. Whether you want flowers, herbs, or grasses, there’s a delicate-leaved plant ready to fill that niche.