Arugula / Rocket
Eruca vesicaria
description
Arugula is a quick-growing leafy crop with a distinctive peppery flavour.
benefits
- Pet-friendly, non-toxic to animals
- Edible
- Suitable for containers
How to care for Arugula
sunlight
Arugula comes from open Mediterranean ground, so it grows best with plenty of sun. Give it more light in cool weather, then ease it into afternoon shade when temperatures rise to help delay flowering.
Full sun
Provide about 6 or more hours of direct sun daily in spring and autumn. A sunny balcony, patio, or south-facing window is ideal for sturdy, flavoursome leaves.
Partial sun, tolerated in heat
In warm climates or during summer, give morning sun and shade from the hottest afternoon rays. This keeps leaves more tender and can slow bolting.
watering
Keep arugula's soil evenly moist, never soggy or bone-dry. Its shallow roots dry quickly, and repeated drying can make leaves tough and encourage early flowering.
Active growth and warm weather
Check daily in sun or warm weather. Container plants often need water about every 2-4 days, and may need it daily during hot spells. Water thoroughly when the top 1 cm of soil feels dry or leaves lose their firmness.
Cool or low-light weather
Growth slows in cool, dim conditions, so watering is often needed about every 4-7 days. Check the top 1-2 cm first and wait if it still feels moist.
These intervals are starting points: bright light, heat, small terracotta pots, and a loose mix dry faster, while cool rooms, large pots, and slower root growth stay wet longer.
humidity
Indoor humidity
Arugula is a cool-season Mediterranean crop and is comfortable in average household air. It does best with moderate humidity, steady soil moisture, and good airflow.
Below about 35% humidity, leaves may develop dry, crisp edges or grow more slowly, especially near heating vents. Check that the soil is not drying too quickly before blaming the air.
- Move pots away from radiators and forced-air vents.
- Use a small humidifier nearby if winter air is very dry.
- Give plants space and water the soil, not the foliage, to limit mildew in humid rooms.
temperature
Preferred growing range
Cold tolerance
Native to the Mediterranean region, arugula is a cool-season crop. Keep it cool and evenly growing for tender, peppery leaves. Light frost is usually fine, but growth slows near 0°C (32°F), while sustained warmth encourages flowering and sharper leaves.
nutrition
March - October
Feed every 2-3 weeks while arugula is actively making new leaves, using a balanced liquid vegetable fertilizer at about half strength. Start with compost-rich soil if possible. Do not feed plants that have slowed in winter or are bolting in hot weather.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports the tender leafy growth you harvest. A balanced feed used lightly provides enough without pushing soft, overly lush growth.
soil
Moisture-retentive, free-draining soil
Arugula grows best in loose, fertile soil that holds steady moisture but does not stay soggy. Mix compost into garden soil or use a good-quality potting mix with a little perlite for containers.
pH 6,0 - 7,0
This is slightly acidic to neutral, a range that helps arugula take up nutrients well. Most fresh vegetable-bed soil and standard potting mixes are suitable, but avoid strongly acidic mixes intended for acid-loving plants.