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Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)

Arugula, also known as rocket or roquette, is a nutrient-packed leafy green vegetable in the cabbage family. Its slightly peppery flavor adds a whole new taste dimension to salads, sandwiches, and even pesto and pizza. You’ll find it in bagged salad mixes in the grocery store, but it’s so much better when you grow it yourself. And thankfully for small-space gardeners, you don’t need much space or any specialized knowledge to produce a bumper crop of this tangy veggie.

What is the best container for growing arugula?

Arugula is a compact crop that’s ideal for container growing. The roots are relatively shallow, so it can grow in a container as small as six inches deep. Give it some space to stretch out, though – shoot for a container that’s wider than it is deep.

How to germinate arugula seeds?

This leafy green is simple to grow from seed; you can sow the seeds directly in the growing container. Sow them ¼” deep and about one inch apart. If planting in rows, space the rows about a foot apart. The seeds will germinate in seven to 10 days.

When to plant arugula seeds?

If you’re growing arugula in a container indoors or in a greenhouse, you can start the seeds at pretty much any time of the year – as long as you have grow lights to nourish these light-loving plants. If you’re growing in an outdoor container or bed, you can sow the seeds when the soil temperature reaches at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Although arugula is sun-loving, it needs the cooler temperatures of spring and fall to thrive. Sow the seeds in early spring for a late spring crop; plant in early fall for a late fall harvest. The leaves are ready to be harvested six to eight weeks after sowing.

Arugula care guide

Arugula prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6 or 7. It will do best in a spot where it gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight every day. Whether it’s in a garden bed or a container, this leafy green needs biologically-rich, well-draining soil to thrive. Arugula may even be grown aeroponically!

After the plants sprout, thin them to about six inches apart. Don’t discard the plants you pull when thinning, though – you can throw them in a salad for a nice peppery highlight.

Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly if the weather is hot. Allowing the soil to dry out or get too hot will result in slow growth and premature bolting (producing seeds before producing a full crop). However, overwatering arugula will drown the shallow roots, so check your plants often and keep the moisture level from veering into either extreme.

Harvesting and storing arugula

Arugula leaves are ready to harvest when they grow to at least three inches long. Smaller leaves are milder tasting than older ones, so harvest arugula before the leaves get to six inches long for the best flavor. If you want to get more than one harvest out of your crop, cut only the outer leaves about an inch up from the soil; the plant will grow new leaves as long as the weather isn’t too hot or too cold. After the plant bolts, the leaves will be too bitter to eat.

Plan to wash and eat arugula immediately after harvesting it for peak flavor and nutrition. If you must store it, wash the leaves and dry them completely, then wrap them in a paper towel and put them in a lidded food storage container. Aim to use the leaves within three days.

Harvesting arugula seeds

At the end of its lifecycle, arugula will send up tall stalks with delicate white flowers. There’s no need to continue watering the arugula from this point on. Allow the seedheads to develop and turn brown before cutting the stalks from the plant. Place the stalks upside-down in a paper bag and keep in a cool, dry place for a week or two to dry out the seed pods.

When they’re completely dry, leave the stalks in the bag and reach in with a hand to break open the seed pods. The tiny black seeds will fall out into the bottom of the bag. Empty the bag into a sieve over a bowl to separate the seeds from the pods and stalks. Gather the seeds in a jar, envelope, or bag, then label it with the crop name and the year the seeds were harvested. They’ll be good for at least five years.

Arugula Seeds: Organic and Certified

Arugula Baby Greens Seeds – $4.59 Add new flavor to everyday salads! High in vitamin C and potassium, arugula’s peppery flavor is the perfect balance tossed simply with balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese. Arugula baby greens can be grown indoors at any time of year and are a nutrient-packed way to get your “green fix” in winter. Move containers as needed for best light exposure and temperature. Harvest when 2″–4″ tall and enjoy!