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

Your comments and tips

28 Aug 14, Janine Golden (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Does Rocket like full sun or partial sun. I planted it about 4 weeks ago..seedlings are about an inch now. Would really appreciate some advice...Thanks!!
22 Jul 14, Jos Rhodes (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Can arugula be grown in the hot Central Valley of california
21 Jul 14, Ushs Aswat (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I planted some rocket & they now up to about 4 ins high . I live in Barbados which is sun all year & can get very hot . Could you give me some tips on how to care for my young plants ?
17 Jun 14, Simon (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
I've started growing rocket this year. I'm using a fairly sunny spot, outdoors. In terms of water, I give it a hose daily, and feed it once a week with the rest. It's gone rampant, but I've planted it fairly densely, so the rockets are partially shading each other. I've been nipping off the flowers as soon as I've seen them and the rockets are pretty big - mine too are a little bitter though it's pot luck, so I suspect the size and age of the plant play a part.
08 Apr 14, Trevor mills (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Not a question i have put up a letter the other day but couldn,t remember the name of the plant . As you know there are a lot of premixed salads in the shops nowdays . The biggest flaw is the they call mizuna in these as rocket . I have been growing mizuna for yrs and also rocket totally different plants and different taste for example rocket has a musterdy rather warm after taste great to spice up the salads. All catered for the yuppie market i can say , but please give the right name to them otherwise some will argue as it has been for me .
07 Feb 14, tanja (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I want to plant Rocket in April I have a tunnel and want to know if this is advised or not?
09 Nov 13, Tom (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, just leave one or two plants to flower and they will then form seed pods where the flowers were. They are mature when the plant dies and dries out ie straw colour. You can then harvest let dry further in the pods. When completely dry, crush pods to release seeds then separate seeds from cracked pods and store in airtight container or paper envelope.
30 Oct 13, Doreen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am trying to grow rockets but every day the leaves has small holes in them almost like it gets eaten by small insects. How do I look after it to harvest a nice healthy leaf without any holes?
28 Oct 13, mary (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, I have planted rocket for the first time....I have picket continuously leaves ..my question is when they flower ....i was told to keep seeds for the next year and I also want to give to some old ladies...but I dont know when to pick the seeds...i know your probably laughing ..are the seeds on top of the flower or are they the long green bean looking from the stem.??? also a tip the Greeks and Italians also boil them, drain and add olive oil and lemon and they don't taste bitter at all just like we do with silverbeet..
03 Jan 14, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Mary, Your rocket should have formed seeds by now. They are like tiny pea pods and you can pick them when they go yellow. Pop them into a paper bag and they will crack open.
Showing 51 - 60 of 125 comments

Should you let your roquet plants flower? How do you get them to keep sprouting new leaves? If they go to flower - how long does it take for them to go to seed? Do they survive beyond the flowering period?

- Lisa Hopkinson

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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.
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