2-Aroylcyclohexanediones I ##STR1## (A is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkylene; R.sup.1 is substituted phenyl or hetaryl which may furthermore carry a fused ring; R.sup.2 -R.sup.5 are each hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl; R.sup.6 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxycarbonyl and R.sup.7 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, with the proviso that R.sup.1 is not mono- or dihalophenyl) and the agriculturally useful salts thereof and the esters of I with C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -carboxylic acids or inorganic acids. The 2-aroylcyclohexanediones I are suitable as herbicides and plant growth regulators.