Is this the same as arugula?

It is a close relative, often called perennial wall rocket, with a more intense, peppery flavor.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it prefers full sun to partial shade for the best growth.

Plant guide

Wild Rocket.

Diplotaxis tenuifolia

Pronounced dy-plo-TAK-sis ten-yoo-ih-FO-lee-uh

Also known as Chilpanunda-weed, Lincoln Weed, Lincoln's-weed, Perennial Wall-rocket, Perennial wallrocket

Wild rocket is a peppery perennial herb that adds a bold kick to your salads. It is a hardy plant that thrives in sunny spots and is quite easy to grow in your garden. You will love how it keeps producing leaves throughout the growing season.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 24 inches
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to prevent bitter leaves. Watch for flea beetles, which love to chew small holes in the foliage. Harvest the outer leaves regularly to encourage the plant to keep growing from the center.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back flower stalks to keep the plant focused on leaf production.
Repotting: Repot if the plant becomes root bound or if you want to refresh the soil nutrients.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -15 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant is non-toxic to humans.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the peppery taste may be unpleasant.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to mustard oils.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe seasonal allergies.
Edibility: While edible, the leaves can become quite bitter and tough as the plant matures or during hot weather.

How to identify it

Deeply lobed, serrated green leaves
Bright yellow four petaled flowers
Strong peppery scent when crushed
Forms a low growing leafy rosette

Height: 0.2 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: dark green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: yellow, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer

Common problems

Flea beetles — Small jumping beetles that create tiny shot holes in the leaves.
Downy mildew — A fungal issue causing yellow patches on leaves during damp conditions.

Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back dead foliage in late autumn. It is quite hardy and will usually return from the roots in spring.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided the pot is at least 20 centimeters deep to accommodate its taproot.

Seed sowing

1. Sprinkle seeds on top of moist, well-draining soil.
2. Lightly cover with a thin layer of fine soil or vermiculite.
3. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs in 1 to 2 weeks.

Plant this in a dedicated herb patch to keep it from spreading too aggressively into other beds.

Grows well with

Lettuce — They share similar moisture needs in the garden.
Chives — They make a nice culinary pairing and have similar light requirements.

Similar species

Arugula — It is an annual relative with a similar but milder flavor profile.

Science

Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Diplotaxis
Order: Brassicales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mediterranean region and parts of Europe.
Conservation: This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It is a hardy pioneer species that colonizes disturbed sites and rocky outcrops.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary herb, salad green, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this the same as arugula?: It is a close relative, often called perennial wall rocket, with a more intense, peppery flavor.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it prefers full sun to partial shade for the best growth.

Where the name comes from

The name Diplotaxis comes from the Greek words for double and arrangement, referring to the two rows of seeds in the pods. Tenuifolia means thin-leaved.

Good to know

It thrives in poor, rocky soil where other plants struggle.
The leaves have a much stronger, spicier flavor than standard annual arugula.
It is highly resilient and often found growing in cracks in pavement or stone walls.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Is your wild rocket looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.