FlorfaThe encyclopedia of animals and plants
IT EN FR DE ES
Arugula: Growing the Peppery Salad Leaf
Herbs

Arugula: Growing the Peppery Salad Leaf

Eruca vesicaria

Arugula care (Eruca vesicaria): fast annual salad with peppery leaves. Full sun, fertile moist soil, quick harvest, cool-season grower.

Play the quiz Herbs

Characteristics

Scientific nameEruca vesicaria
Height20-60 cm
Sunlightpieno sole
Watermedia
Soilfertile drenante
Toxicitynon tossica
Growthrapida
Temperature5 a 28 °C
FloweringMay, Jun, Jul
IrrigationWater regularly to keep the soil constantly moist: drought makes the leaves tough and bitter and speeds up bolting.

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria), or rocket, is a fast-growing annual salad herb with leaves of a typical peppery, mustardy flavour. It wants full sun (part shade in heat), fertile, moist, well-drained soil and regular water. Sow it in succession and harvest from just 4-6 weeks, leaf by leaf.

Flowering season

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Practical tips

Watering

Water needs: media — always check soil moisture before watering.

Position

Prefers pieno sole: provide the right light and rotate the plant for even growth.

Substrate

Recommended soil: fertile drenante. Refresh the substrate every 1-2 years.

Leaves

Dust the leaves with a damp cloth to support photosynthesis.

Feeding

Feed during the growing season (spring-summer) and stop in winter.

FAQ

How long does arugula take to grow?
It is very fast: harvest 4-6 weeks from sowing by picking the outer leaves; sowing every 2-3 weeks gives a continuous supply.
Why does my arugula turn bitter and flower?
Heat and drought make it bolt, and the leaves turn more bitter and tough: keep it cool, in part shade in summer and well watered.

You may also like

Mint: How to Grow It in Pots and Garden Beds
Herbs

Mint: How to Grow It in Pots and Garden Beds

Mentha spicata
Lemongrass: Growing and Using Cymbopogon
Herbs

Lemongrass: Growing and Using Cymbopogon

Cymbopogon citratus
Wormwood: Growing Silvery Artemisia with a Bitter Scent
Herbs

Wormwood: Growing Silvery Artemisia with a Bitter Scent

Artemisia absinthium
Wild Thyme: Caring for Creeping Thyme
Herbs

Wild Thyme: Caring for Creeping Thyme

Thymus serpyllum