Rocket.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual vegetable

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

1 to 2 feet tall

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent the leaves from becoming too spicy or bitter. Watch for flea beetles that love to chew small holes in the foliage. Harvest the outer leaves regularly to encourage the plant to keep producing new growth.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to ensure the best flavor.

Feeding

A light application of balanced organic fertilizer helps keep the leaves growing quickly.

Pruning

Regularly harvest outer leaves to keep the plant productive and prevent premature bolting.

Repotting

This is an annual plant that is typically grown from seed and does not require repotting.

Soil

Well draining fertile soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-5 to 25°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Annual, typically 3 to 6 months

Deer and rabbits

Low

Safety

People

This plant is safe for human consumption.

Children

There are no specific safety concerns for children regarding this plant.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling raw leaves.

Airborne allergens

Pollen from flowering plants can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive people.

Edibility

Harvest leaves before the plant bolts to ensure they remain palatable and not overly bitter.

How to identify it

• Deeply lobed or pinnate leaves
• Peppery aroma when leaves are crushed
• Small white or yellow four petaled flowers
• Low growing basal rosette habit

Height

0.2 to 0.6m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, yellow, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

brown, Summer

Common problems

• Flea beetles — Small jumping beetles that chew tiny holes in the leaves.
• Downy mildew — Yellow patches on leaves caused by excessive moisture.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

early spring, late summer

Overwintering

In mild climates, it can survive the winter as a small rosette. In colder areas, it will die back completely after the first hard frost.

In containers

It is excellent for containers, needing only a pot at least 15 cm deep.

Plant arugula in the shade of taller crops like tomatoes to extend the harvest season during warmer weather.

Grows well with

• Lettuce — They share similar growing requirements and harvest times.
• Radish — They are both fast growing cool season crops.

Keep away from

• Strawberry — Arugula can compete for nutrients and space in a small garden bed.

Similar species

• Wild Arugula — It has a more intense flavor and is a perennial.

Science

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Eruca

Order

Brassicales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Mediterranean region

Conservation

This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes disturbed soil in sunny locations.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

culinary greens, salad ingredient, garnish

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why is my arugula so bitter?

Heat and long days cause the plant to bolt, which makes the leaves taste sharp and bitter.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it grows very well in shallow containers.

Where the name comes from

The name Eruca is the Latin word for this plant, while vesicaria refers to the bladder like shape of the seed pods.

Good to know

• Arugula has been eaten since Roman times.
• The flavor is often described as peppery or nutty.
• It is a member of the mustard family.
• The flowers are also edible and make a lovely garnish.