Recently I got a few queries asking Why does My Cilantro Look Like A Dill? If you’re confused with your Cilantro that starts to resemble Dill, you’re not alone! It is not very good, and anyone can feel frustrated over their plant if they expect one thing and end up with another. In this article, I will give you five reasons ‘why Cilantro looks like Dill and some ways to tell the difference between the two. But first, let’s learn.
Do Dill And Cilantro Look The Same?
Dill and Cilantro can look quite similar when young because of their delicate feathery leaves. However, as they mature, Dill grows taller and bushier, while Cilantro stays shorter and more compact. You can quickly tell the difference between them by smell and taste.
Even though they can look quite similar when young, you will see some noticeable differences as they mature. One of the most significant differences you will likely experience between Dill and Cilantro is their aroma.
You will feel a distinctive but slightly sweet scent if you smell a Dill. Many restaurants and people prefer using them in pickling and other savory dishes. Conversely, cilantro will have a much more potent but citrusy scent, commonly used in Asian cuisine.
If you taste them, you can differentiate between Dill and Cilantro. If you taste Dill, you’ll get a slightly sweet flavor. You can always pair Dill with fish and other seafood. On the other hand, Cilantro will be much more robust, and you may find it very soapy to taste. Some people love this taste, and others find it off-putting. However, cilantro grown in an aero garden is considered better in flavor, as per my friend who works as a chef in a fast food center.
Even though Dill and Cilantro share some similarities, they are ultimately quite different herbs you use for many purposes; however, if your Cilantro starts to look like Dill, here are five possible reasons.
5 Reasons Why Does My Cilantro Look Like a Dill?
Confusing Seeds
One of the most common reasons your Cilantro looks like a Dill is the confusion of seeds. Since cilantro and dill seeds look similar, you might have accidentally mixed them up while planting.
I will highly advise you to always double-check your sources before tilling to avoid this type of confusion. In addition, if you mistakenly purchased parsley instead of Cilantro, this could be why your Cilantro looks like Dill.
Growing Conditions
If your Cilantro grows in hot temperatures, it may look like Dill. As you know, both plants need moderate sunlight, well-drained soil, and regular watering. You must avoid overwatering your cilantro plant. Therefore, if these conditions are not met, the plants may not grow properly, resulting in Cilantro looking like Dill. You should know that Cilantro grows best in cool weather, while Dill can tolerate warmer temperatures.
Genetic Variation
Maybe some genetic variation between different strains of your Cilantro is causing it to look more like Dill. Perhaps your cilantro plants produce high levels of dill-like compounds due to genetic variation, resulting in a dill-like aroma and appearance.
It is unlikely, but we should not ignore it in rare cases. I don’t feel this could be the reason in your case, but if it does, let it grow to see what it becomes. It is still exciting, though.
Age
Aise told you that young Cilantro also looks like till due to their leaves. Therefore if your Cilantro is still young, don’t worry much. This is not a cause for concern because you can depreciate them as they mature.
Also, you should know that it has a short lifespan, and if you don’t harvest it at the right time, it may start to resemble Dill. As per The Spruce, you should start harvesting cilantro plants when they’re around 6 inches tall to avoid this issue.
Cross-pollination
We should also not ignore the possibility of Cross-pollination between Cilantro and Dill, which can result in hybrid plants that resemble the two. I highly recommend keeping cilantro and dill plants separated by a minimum of 100 feet to avoid cross-pollination possibilities.
What To Do If My Cilantro Looks Like Dill?
- First, double-check that you’ve planted Cilantro and not Dill, even though event and Dill look similar, with some distinct differences. Cilantro leaves are rounder and smoother than Dill, which has more delicate and feathery leaves. Also, Cilantro has a distinctive aroma that is different from Dill.
- Once you have confirmed that it’s Cilantro, try to identify the cause of the issue. It could be due to confusing seeds, similar growing conditions, genetic variation, immature Cilantro, or cross-pollination. As discussed earlier, these factors can contribute to Cilantro looking like Dill.
- After determining the cause, please take the necessary steps to fix it. For example, check your sources before planting if the problem is due to confusing seeds. If it’s due to similar growing conditions, you need to provide the right environment for your Cilantro to grow. If the issue is due to over-matured Cilantro, harvest it at the right time to avoid it from resembling Dill.
If all else fails and you can’t fix t, consider planting new seeds.
FAQs
Can Dill And Cilantro Be Planted Together
Yes, Dill & Cilantro can be planted together, but it’s not recommended. Growing them together may result in Cross-pollination and create hybrids, which can result in unpredictable flavors & appearances. It’s better to plant them separately if you want to maintain the distinctive flavor & appearance of each herb.
Do Cilantro Leaves Look Like Dill?
Cilantro and dill leaves can look similar but have differences. Cilantro leaves are rounder and smoother than Dill, which has more delicate and feathery leaves. Cilantro also has a distinctive aroma that differs from Dill’s, so while they may look similar, differentiate between them with closer inspection.
Conclusion
Even though cilantro leaves and dill leaves may look similar, they have distinct differences in shape, texture, and aroma, making it easy to differentiate between them with their inspection. I tried my best to give you all the information you need to know why your Cilantro starts to look like Dill.
If you find this article helpful, then consider sharing it. Your share will teach people how to tell the difference between Dill & Cilantro. Do check our other practical guide on cilantro care and management. See you in the next post, till then, take care and goodbye.
