How to Grow Arugula
Eruca sativa
Arugula is a peppery green leaf vegetable often grouped with lettuce that thrives in cool weather. Gardeners prize it for its rapid growth and distinctive flavor profile. This hardy crop tolerates light frost, making it an excellent choice for early spring or late autumn gardens.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Arugula: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Arugula is not usually started indoors.
Arugula is typically direct-sown into the garden rather than started indoors and transplanted.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to support healthy root development. As a cool-season crop, you should sow seeds directly outdoors two to six weeks before your last expected spring frost date. Press the tiny seeds gently into the soil surface without covering them deeply, as they need light to germinate. Expect sprouts to appear within five to seven days under these conditions.
Space plants four to six inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and leaf expansion throughout the season. While arugula does not require trellising or support structures, keep the soil consistently moist by providing about one inch of water weekly. Apply a light layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid piling it against the stems.
Watch for flea beetles, aphids, and caterpillars; hand-pick pests or use row covers for prevention. Downy mildew is rare in this hardy variety, so good airflow usually prevents disease issues. Harvest young leaves by snipping them when the plant reaches maturity in ten to fifteen days after sowing. You can also wait until the whole head forms if you prefer larger bunches.
When to Plant Arugula
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | June – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | May – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | May – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | May – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | April – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | April – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | March – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | March – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | February – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | January – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | January – December |
Companion Plants for Arugula
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and flea beetles while improving arugula's flavor
Deep roots don't compete with shallow arugula roots
Deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage arugula
Similar growing requirements and compatible root systems
Repels flea beetles and aphids that commonly attack arugula
Acts as trap crop for flea beetles and aphids
Quick harvest allows succession planting and breaks up soil
Same watering needs and harvest timing, efficient space usage
✗ Keep away from
Attracts same pests like flea beetles and cabbage worms
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit arugula growth
Different watering needs and may harbor slugs that eat arugula
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
