Arugula Roquette

Arugula, also known as roquette or rocket, is a fast-growing leafy green with a fresh, peppery flavor. It is excellent for salads, sandwiches, wraps, garnishes, microgreens, and home sprouting. Arugula grows best in cool weather and can be harvested young for tender baby leaves or grown slightly longer for a stronger, spicier taste.

Best Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun to partial shade. In warm climates, afternoon shade helps slow bolting.
• Soil: Loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
• Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
• Temperature: Arugula prefers cool conditions, ideally around 50°F to 65°F.
• Growth Habit: Fast-growing cool-season leafy green.

Preparing for Growing

• Selecting a Planting Location: Choose a garden bed, raised bed, or container that receives full sun in cool weather or partial shade during warmer periods.
• Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil and mix in compost or organic matter before sowing. Remove weeds and large debris so young roots can establish easily.
• Container Preparation: If growing in pots, choose containers with drainage holes. A container at least 6 inches deep is suitable for baby leaf arugula.

Starting Arugula from Seeds Indoors

• Seed Preparation: No soaking is required for regular garden planting. Dry seeds are easier to sow evenly.
• Choosing Containers: Use seed trays, cell packs, or small pots filled with seed-starting mix.
• Sowing Indoors: Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep and keep the soil lightly moist until germination.
• Light and Warmth: Place trays in a bright location or under grow lights. Arugula germinates best in cool to mild temperatures.
• Thinning: Once seedlings emerge, thin them to prevent overcrowding and improve airflow.
• Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors when they have a few sets of true leaves. Harden them off first by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Direct Sowing Outdoors

• When to Sow: Sow directly outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For a fall harvest, sow again in late summer or early fall.
• Planting Depth: Sow seeds ¼ inch deep.
• Seed Spacing: Plant seeds about 1 inch apart.
• Row Spacing: Space rows about 10-12 inches apart, or broadcast seeds evenly over a prepared bed.
• Thinning: Thin young plants to about 6 inches apart for larger leaves. Thinnings can be used as baby greens.
• Succession Planting: Sow small batches every 2-3 weeks during cool weather for a continuous harvest.

Growing Arugula in Containers or Pots

• Container Size: Use a pot, window box, or grow tray at least 6 inches deep with good drainage.
• Soil: Fill containers with a quality potting mix. Avoid heavy garden soil in pots because it can compact and drain poorly.
• Sowing: Sprinkle seeds evenly over the surface, cover lightly with about ¼ inch of soil, and water gently.
• Spacing: For baby greens, seeds can be sown closer together. For larger leaves, thin plants to 4-6 inches apart.
• Watering: Containers dry out faster than garden beds, so check moisture often and keep the soil evenly moist.
• Light: Place containers in full sun during cool weather or partial shade during hot weather.
• Harvesting: Cut outer leaves as needed, allowing the center of the plant to continue producing new growth.

Growing Arugula Microgreens in Containers

Arugula is also excellent for growing as microgreens. Microgreens are harvested when the seedlings are young, tender, and flavorful. They are a great option for indoor growing, small spaces, kitchens, and year-round fresh greens.

• Container: Use a shallow tray or container about 1-2 inches deep with drainage holes. Place a drip tray underneath to catch excess water.
• Growing Medium: Fill the container with seed-starting mix, coconut coir, or another clean microgreen growing medium. Moisten the medium before sowing.
• Seed Preparation: Do not soak arugula seeds for microgreens. Arugula seeds can become sticky when wet, so it is easier to spread them dry.
• Sowing: Sprinkle seeds evenly and fairly densely across the surface. Press them gently into the moist medium, but do not bury them deeply.
• Covering: Cover the tray with another tray, lid, or breathable cover for the first 2-3 days to help maintain moisture and encourage even germination.
• Moisture: Mist lightly or bottom-water as needed. Keep the medium moist but not soggy. Good airflow helps prevent mold.
• Light: Once seeds sprout, remove the cover and place the tray near a bright window or under grow lights.
• Harvest Time: Arugula microgreens are usually ready in about 7-14 days, depending on temperature and light.
• How to Harvest: Use clean scissors to cut the greens just above the growing medium. Rinse gently before use if needed.
• Best Uses: Add arugula microgreens to salads, sandwiches, wraps, eggs, soups, bowls, and garnishes for a fresh peppery flavor.

Sprouting Arugula Seeds in Jars

Arugula can also be grown as sprouts in a jar, but it requires extra care because arugula seeds naturally become slippery and sticky when wet. For the easiest and most consistent results, arugula usually performs better as tray-grown microgreens. If using the jar method, start with a small amount of seed and focus on cleanliness, airflow, and complete drainage.

• Supplies Needed: Use a clean wide-mouth glass jar, a sprouting lid or cheesecloth, a rubber band or jar ring, and fresh drinkable water.
• Seed Amount: Start with a small amount, such as 1-2 teaspoons of arugula seeds. Do not overfill the jar.
• Rinsing Before Soaking: Rinse seeds gently with cool water before starting.
• Soaking: Avoid long soaking. A short soak of about 2-4 hours is usually enough for arugula. If the seeds become very sticky, drain carefully and move to the rinsing stage.
• Draining: Drain the jar completely. Place it upside down at an angle so extra water can escape and air can circulate.
• Rinsing Schedule: Rinse and drain gently 2 times per day. Make sure water does not sit at the bottom of the jar.
• Preventing Clumps: After each rinse, gently rotate or shake the jar to spread seeds along the sides and reduce clumping.
• Light: Keep the jar out of direct sunlight during early sprouting. Once small leaves appear, place it in indirect light for a short time to help the sprouts green up.
• Harvest Time: Arugula sprouts may be ready in about 3-7 days, depending on temperature and growing conditions.
• Final Rinse: Rinse thoroughly before eating and drain very well.
• Storage: Store finished sprouts in a clean container in the refrigerator and use them soon for best freshness.

Important Sprout Safety Tips

• Use Clean Equipment: Wash jars, lids, trays, hands, and surfaces before handling seeds or sprouts.
• Use Fresh Water: Always rinse with clean drinkable water.
• Drain Completely: Sprouts should stay moist, not waterlogged. Standing water increases the risk of spoilage.
• Check Before Eating: Do not eat sprouts that smell unpleasant or appear slimy, moldy, or discolored.
• Refrigerate: Keep harvested sprouts refrigerated and stored in a clean container.

Transplanting to the Garden

• Site Preparation: Prepare the garden bed with compost and make sure the soil is loose and well-draining.
• Timing: Transplant seedlings during cool weather, ideally in spring or late summer.
• Spacing: Space plants about 6 inches apart for full-size leaves.
• After Transplanting: Water well after transplanting and keep soil evenly moist while seedlings establish.

Plant Care

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist. Dry soil and heat can cause arugula to bolt faster and develop a stronger flavor.
• Fertilizing: If planted in compost-rich soil, arugula usually needs little additional fertilizer. For containers, use a gentle balanced fertilizer if growth slows.
• Weeding: Keep garden beds weed-free to reduce competition for water and nutrients.
• Mulching: A light mulch can help retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.
• Pest Management: Watch for flea beetles, aphids, and slugs. Row cover can help protect young plants from pests.
• Bolting: Arugula may flower quickly in hot weather. Provide shade, water consistently, and harvest often to extend the season.

Harvesting Arugula

• Baby Leaf Harvest: Harvest baby leaves when they are about 2-3 inches long for the mildest flavor.
• Cut-and-Come-Again: Cut outer leaves first and allow the center to keep growing.
• Full Harvest: For a full harvest, cut the plant just above the soil line.
• Storage: Store freshly harvested leaves in a breathable bag or container in the refrigerator. Use within a few days for best flavor and texture.

When to Start Arugula by USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

• Zones 1-3: Sow in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow again in late summer for a fall crop.
• Zones 4-6: Plant in early spring for spring harvests and again in late summer for fall harvests.
• Zones 7-9: Plant in early spring and again in fall. In warmer areas, provide afternoon shade to slow bolting.
• Zones 10-11: Grow during the cooler months of fall, winter, and early spring. Avoid the hottest part of the year unless growing indoors or in partial shade.

Fast Facts

• Botanical Name: Eruca vesicaria
• Common Names: Arugula, Roquette, Rocket
• Plant Type: Cool-season leafy green
• Planting Depth: ¼ inch
• Seed Spacing: 1 inch
• Plant Spacing: 4-6 inches for baby greens, 6 inches for larger leaves
• Container Depth: At least 6 inches for regular greens; 1-2 inches for microgreens
• Water Preferences: Consistently moist soil
• Sun Preferences: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter
• Days to Germination: About 5-10 days
• Days to Baby Leaf Harvest: About 25-40 days
• Microgreens Harvest: About 7-14 days
• Sprouts Harvest: About 3-7 days
• Best Temperature Range: 50°F to 65°F
• Companion Plants: Beans, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, and other cool-season greens