Arugula.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual vegetable

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

30 to 60 cm 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. Watch for flea beetles which often leave small holes in the foliage. Harvest leaves regularly to encourage new growth and delay bolting.

Watering

Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once during the growing season.

Pruning

Regularly harvest outer leaves to encourage continuous production.

Repotting

Arugula is an annual and is typically not repotted.

Soil

Well draining, fertile soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

4 to 24°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Annual, typically 3 to 5 months

Deer and rabbits

low

Safety

People

This plant is safe for human consumption and is widely used as a salad green.

Pets

Arugula is safe for cats and dogs to consume in small amounts.

Children

The peppery leaves might be too strong for some children, but there is no specific ingestion risk.

Contact allergens

Some people may experience mild skin irritation if they have a sensitivity to mustard family plants.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.

Edibility

Always ensure you are harvesting from areas free of chemical pesticides or herbicides.

How to identify it

• Deeply lobed, serrated green leaves
• Peppery and pungent aroma
• Small white or yellow flowers
• Low growing basal rosette

Height

0.2 to 0.6m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, yellow, 1 to 2cm

Common problems

• Flea beetles — These tiny insects chew small, round holes in the leaves.
• Downy mildew — Yellow spots appear on leaves, often caused by high humidity.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

In mild climates, it can survive the winter, but in colder areas, it is best grown as a spring or fall crop.

In containers

Arugula is excellent for containers, requiring a minimum depth of 6 inches for healthy root development.

Plant arugula in the shade of taller crops like tomatoes to keep it cool and prevent premature bolting.

Grows well with

• Lettuce — They share similar growing requirements and can be harvested together for salads.
• Radish — Radishes grow quickly and help mark rows for the slower-germinating arugula.

Keep away from

• Strawberries — They have different water and soil needs that make them poor neighbors.

Similar species

• Wild Arugula — It has a more intense flavor and a perennial growth habit compared to the annual Eruca.

Science

Family

Brassicaceae

Genus

Eruca

Order

Brassicales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Mediterranean region.

Conservation

Arugula is a common agricultural crop and is not of conservation concern.

It grows as a cool-season annual, quickly setting seed to ensure survival before summer heat hits.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

culinary salad green, peppery garnish, pesto ingredient

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why is my arugula so spicy?

Hot weather and plant maturity increase the concentration of mustard oils, making it taste sharper.

Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it thrives in containers as long as they are at least 6 inches deep.

Where the name comes from

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

Good to know

• Arugula is also known as rocket or roquette.
• It grows very quickly, often ready to harvest in just 4 to 6 weeks.
• The flavor becomes more intense and spicy as the plant matures.
• It is a member of the Brassicaceae family, just like broccoli and kale.