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Arugula (Eruca sativa)
Arugula (Eruca sativa), also known as Rocket or Salad Rocket, is a fast-growing annual leafy green prized for its distinctive spicy, peppery flavor that adds zest to salads, sandwiches, and a variety of culinary dishes. The plant forms a basal rosette of deeply lobed, vibrant green leaves that grow 3 to 8 inches long, with slender toothed edges and a crisp texture. Arugula is versatile and widely cultivated in gardens and containers, thriving in cool weather and offering fresh harvests in just 3 to 4 weeks from sowing.
Characteristics
Foliage: Bright green, pinnately lobed leaves with a peppery flavor; edible and often used fresh or cooked.
Growth Habit: Upright rosette growing 8 to 24 inches tall, producing branched flower stems with creamy white flowers veined in purple.
Flowers & Seeds: Flowers appear in clusters with four petals, followed by seed pods useful for harvesting when matured.
Flavor: Pungent, spicy, with a fresh bitter note, enhancing the flavor profile of fresh salads and cooked dishes.
Growing Requirements
Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade; shade helps delay bolting in hot weather.
Soil: Rich, moist, well-draining soil with pH 6.0 to 6.8 ideal for steady growth.
Water: Consistent moisture is critical to prevent premature bolting; avoid waterlogging.
Temperature: Thrives best in cool climates with soil temperatures between 40°F to 55°F (4–13°C); tolerates light frost.
Spacing: Thin seedlings to 3-6 inches apart or space plants 10-12 inches for mature growth.
Harvest: Leaves are ready to pick when 4 to 6 inches long, typically 4 to 6 weeks after germination; can be repeatedly harvested to encourage fresh growth.
Shipping Info
Arugula seeds ship as high-quality, viable seed suitable for direct sowing or starting indoors, providing a reliable source for spicy, nutritious greens that thrive in temperate gardens and containers
Growing Zones
2b - 11a
Low Temperature
30°F
High Temperature
75°F
Fragrant
Yes
Polinator Required
No
Polinator Friendly
Yes
Flower Color
Green Yellow
Growth Rate
Very fast
Soil
Well-drained, fertile, loose soil with neutral pH (6.0–7.0); mulch to retain moisture
Moisture
Consistent moisture for best flavor; water when top inch is dry, avoiding soggy roots
Sun Exposure
Full sun to part shade; more shade in hot climates to prevent bolting
Mature Spread
6–12 in
Mature Height
6–10 in
Bloom Period
Bolt to yellow flowers in late spring or during hot spells
Pruning Time
Regular harvest of outer leaves; pull entire plants before bolting or when flavor becomes too spicy
Pet Safe
Yes
Perennial / Annual
Annual
Evergreen / Deciduous
Deciduous
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