Growing Rocket, also Arugula/Rucola

Eruca vesicaria : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
      T                
      P P     P        

(Best months for growing Rocket in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 21-35 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lettuce
  • 'Wild' rocket (narrow leaves)
  • Mature plant

Plant every 2 to 3 weeks for a continuous supply. Leafy green plant with lobed, dark green leaves. It has a slightly spicy, nutty flavour. The spiciness intensifies as the plant gets older.

Frost tender.

Keep well watered in well drained ground. Will go to flower rapidly in hot dry weather.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rocket

Use in salads and stir-fry.

Your comments and tips

11 Mar 24, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am looking for Winter Rocket..... is this just another name for seeds I buy as rocket.. or what do I look for?
25 Feb 23, Bets (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I cook Rocket with spinach?
28 Feb 23, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You could try a cooking website for ideas.
26 Dec 22, Andrew Messem (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
The seeds are sprouting well but at 2.5 inches (6 cm) high they are falling over and dying. What is causing this?
05 Jan 23, (Australia - tropical climate)
It is not recommended to grow in south african summer rainfall climate.
12 Jan 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good day to all, Where can we purchase arugula veg in Western Cape Souh Africa? Thank you
23 Jul 22, Lilla (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You can buy them from Seeds for Africa.
03 Feb 21, Debbie Millington (Australia - temperate climate)
learning to grow rocket. When flowers appear, should I pluck them off? When picking rocket to eat should I pluck off individual leaves or snip off a stalk? Many thanks
05 Feb 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pick before flowering ans just take few leaves or stalks at a time.
26 Jun 20, Steve Haigh (Australia - tropical climate)
i'm actually in Thailand but that wasn't an option so i chose Australia tropical. what tips would you give for hot and humid climates? should i put in indirect light or in the open with shade cloth? what about watering, should i mist to keep to cooler? thanks
Showing 1 - 10 of 122 comments

Probably to do with the season (end of growing season). I have had coriander growing for the last 6-8 weeks or so - it receives plenty of water and the soil is fertile and it is going to seed now. Some plants only have a short life. Maybe plant it earlier next year.

- Mike

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