Rocket Salad
Eruca sativa · Brassicaceae
📷 H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant rocket salad: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Arugula
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Type
- Annual herb
- Adult height
- 30 to 50 cm
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Flowering
- May to June
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Not very hardy (grow seasonally)
- Use
- Edible (leaves and flowers)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Sow directly in place every 15 days from April to August for staggered harvests. Rocket loves fresh, well-drained soil.
The common mistake
Sowing in compacted or poor soil: rocket becomes bitter and stringy.
The pro's trick
Harvest leaves at the young stage (3-4 weeks), before flowering, when the peppery flavor is at its best.
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist without waterlogging it. Water 2 to 3 times a week during dry periods, and more in summer. Arugula appreciates cool soil that speeds up growth and improves leaf tenderness. Avoid watering the leaves directly to prevent fungal diseases.
Exposure
Plant your arugula in full sun, ideally 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day. In very hot climates, light afternoon shade can limit premature bolting. Generous light guarantees more flavorful leaves and more productive harvests.
Soil and planting
Prepare well-draining soil rich in organic matter and slightly acidic to neutral. Loosen the soil deeply and enrich it with well-decomposed compost. Sow directly in place every 15-20 days to stagger your harvests over several months.
Harvesting and maintenance
Pick young leaves as early as 3 to 4 weeks after sowing to encourage dense regrowth. Harvest regularly to slow bolting (flowering). Remove flower stalks if you want to extend tender leaf production.
Fertilizing
Incorporate compost or a balanced organic fertilizer before planting. A light application of nitrogen fertilizer during growth stimulates leaf development. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would reduce flavor and promote disease.
Pests and diseases
Watch for alternaria (small brown spots on leaves) in case of excessive moisture. Aphids and flea beetles can affect young plants: apply protective netting or biological treatments if necessary. Good air circulation limits fungal problems.
Did you know?
Arugula was already cultivated in ancient Egypt and was appreciated by the Romans for its invigorating properties. Its Latin name "Eruca" comes from the Latin word meaning "to burn," referring to its characteristic peppery flavor. Its white or pale yellow flowers are also edible and add a delicate touch to salads.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.