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
    P P P P P P P P    

(Best months for growing Rocket in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • 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 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 21-35 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lettuce

Your comments and tips

24 Apr 11, Mustang (Australia - temperate climate)
I put some of that white netting over my veggies to keep the white butterflies off. Also i check under the leaves to make sure ther are no caterpillars.
23 Apr 11, liz Strauss (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted a rocket plant fron the nursery and it settled in ok, but I've noticed a little white butterfly visiting and laying tiny single white eggs which I've been squashing. Is there anything I can do do to deter these butterflies
30 Dec 14, Jennifer (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi there, I've got white powdery splotches growing all over my rocket. It's spread through it but hasn't infected any other leaves in my mesclun mix. It doesn't come through the leaf and grows on the underneath. I haven't noticed it turning in to any other sort of bug. Can you tell me what it is?
11 Apr 11, Lorraine (Australia - temperate climate)
I would thin them out otherwise the less strong plants just won't develop, may rot and damage the healthy plant.
10 Apr 11, Donna (Australia - temperate climate)
I am a first time gardener. I planted rocket 2 weeks ago and have had a great response. However, I planted several seeds in each hole, so now have clumps of seedlings (about 2 cms high). Do I need to thin them out or separate them or can they grow together as is? Please help - I love my rocket!
06 Sep 14, jane stewart (Australia - temperate climate)
I too am a first time gardener.....planted some rocket about three weeks ago in a long tub. Watered and fed.....it's growing well but I noticed today that it's suddenly going to seed (I presume - long hairy thicker fronds and a sort of flower). I haven't even picked or eaten any yet as I thought it needed more than 14-21 days to grow to maturity. Picking today like mad to get some use out of it. Will it keep growing more as I thin it out or is this it. If so, it would be more economical to buy ready grown. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
20 May 11, Minoli (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes they grow so well. Dont worry just leve them as it is.... dont try to seperate..put potty mix and water well.... .. when you remove one day...take the whole bunch off...or take off leaves as and when necessary...good luck...
11 Jan 11, Janette Keane (Australia - temperate climate)
Is Rocket healthy and if yes in what way?
21 Jan 11, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes healthy, raw in salads, raw into sandwiches, bigger, older stems throw into stirfry dish just at the end, as it doesn't need a lot of cooking... OR juicing with everything else green from your food garden... good health Jen
27 Dec 10, Alanna (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My rocket has flowered and begun to make seed pods, despite me trying to cut off the flowers. Do I need to dry out the seed pods before attempting to replant them, or just pop the green seed back in the soil?
Showing 91 - 100 of 125 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Rocket

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.