Arugula

Plant Overview

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria) is listed in the Brassicaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with an annual life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.

Plant ID

PLT-0044

Family

Brassicaceae

Plant type

Vegetable

Life cycle

Annual

Alternate names

Rocket, garden rocket, roquette, Italian cress

Growth habit

Fast-growing cool-season annual forming a leafy rosette, followed by branched stems with creamy white, dark-veined flowers

Mature height

Flowering stems commonly reach 2-3 feet; plants harvested for young leaves remain much shorter

Mature spread

About 8-18 inches at maturity; plants harvested young or grown densely for baby leaves remain smaller

Difficulty

Easy

Growing Conditions

Arugula is listed for full sun to partial shade conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep evenly moist without waterlogging. The database soil reference is Fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 2-11 as an annual crop.

Hardiness zones

2-11 as an annual crop

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil with organic matter

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Water needs

Moderate; keep evenly moist without waterlogging

Plant spacing

Thin to 3-6 inches for leaf production; denser sowings suit baby-leaf harvest, while larger plants can be spaced about 10 inches apart

Seed & Germination

For seed starting, the listed germination time is Usually about 5-10 days; emergence varies with soil temperature and moisture and the seed depth is Sow shallowly, about 1/8-1/4 inch deep. The listed time to maturity is First tender leaves can be harvested about 21-28 days after sowing under favorable conditions; allow longer for larger leaves. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Usually about 5-10 days; emergence varies with soil temperature and moisture

Germination temperature

Can germinate in cool soil around 40-55 F; germination also occurs at warmer temperatures, with speed depending on conditions

Seed depth

Sow shallowly, about 1/8-1/4 inch deep

Sowing method

Direct sow during cool weather; repeat sowings every 2-3 weeks for successive harvests

Start indoors

Optional; direct sowing is usually convenient for this fast-growing crop, but young transplants can also be used

Transplanting

Plant young seedlings during cool weather after gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions; avoid disturbing the roots

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

First tender leaves can be harvested about 21-28 days after sowing under favorable conditions; allow longer for larger leaves

Harvest

Pick tender outer leaves or cut above the growing point, about 1-2 inches above the soil, to allow regrowth. Heat and flowering produce a stronger flavor

Propagation

Propagated by seed; plants allowed to mature may self-sow

Seed saving

Allow pods to become light brown and brittle. Cut mature seed stalks and finish drying under cover before threshing and winnowing. Separate flowering varieties by 800 feet to 1/2 mile; save seed from 20-50 plants for long-term variety maintenance.

Pollination

Insect-pollinated and strongly outcrossing; grow multiple flowering plants for seed and isolate varieties to maintain purity

Garden Information

Common pests

Flea beetles are a principal pest and can severely damage young seedlings

Common diseases

Downy mildew, white rust, and bacterial leaf spot can affect arugula; disease pressure varies with moisture and local conditions

Uses

Peppery leaves for salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and pesto; edible flowers for garnishes