How to Grow Arugula 'Rocket'
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa 'Rocket'
Arugula 'Rocket' is a quick-growing brassica prized for its peppery flavor and tender leaves. Gardeners grow it to add fresh heat to salads or as a vibrant green in stir-fries, enjoying a crop that matures within weeks.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Arugula 'Rocket': indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Arugula 'Rocket' is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors rather than starting indoors, planting them two to six weeks before the last frost date.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before sowing. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors two to six weeks before your last spring frost date. Press the tiny seeds gently into the soil surface without covering them deeply. Germination typically occurs within three to seven days under these conditions.
Space plants four to six inches apart to ensure good air circulation and airflow. While this variety does not require trellising, keep soil consistently moist with about half an inch of water weekly. Apply a light mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid heavy feeding as rapid growth prevents nutrient depletion.
Watch for flea beetles, aphids, slugs, and cabbage worms; hand-pick pests or use row covers early. Downy mildew may appear in humid weather, so ensure good spacing. Harvest leaves twenty to forty days after sowing by snipping outer stems first, allowing the plant to continue producing.
When to Plant Arugula 'Rocket'
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | May – July | June – September |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | April – June | May – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | March – May | April – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | January | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | January | January – March | February – December |
| Zone 11 | January | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 12 | January | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 13 | January | January – February | January – December |
Companion Plants for Arugula 'Rocket'
✓ Good companions
Deep roots don't compete with shallow arugula roots, efficient space use
Repels aphids and flea beetles that commonly attack brassicas
Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on cabbage worms and aphids
Provides ground cover and shade for arugula roots, reducing soil temperature
Deters flea beetles and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Acts as trap crop for flea beetles and aphids, protecting arugula
Quick-growing companion that can be harvested before arugula matures
Similar growing requirements and helps maximize space utilization
✗ Keep away from
Competes for same nutrients and attracts similar pests like flea beetles
Inhibits growth of most brassicas through allelopathic compounds
May inhibit brassica growth and compete for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
