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

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.
24 Jun 13, Liza (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am growing salad rocket and cultivated wild rocket, they get purple spot that goes brown, it infects only these 2 cultivara, I have been told it is black spot, and to spray bravo, it is not working, it is a purple spot not black, please help, I am desperate, keep on loosing my whole croop
13 May 13, May (Australia - tropical climate)
What makes Rocket leaves turn meldew-ish? Is it too much water, fertiliser or shade?
28 Feb 13, Liz (USA - Zone 10b climate)
My plants are getting spots on its leaves g Does anyone know why?
06 Feb 13, richard (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I usually just pull off the leaves as required. You will get more from the plant that way. If it eventually goes to seed, you can re-plant a new crop from these. In fact rocket usually self-seeds, so they will just come up by themselves. Older leaves are obviously more bitter - but I like that!
05 Feb 13, Sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
My rocket is ready to pick. Do I pull out the whole plant roots and all or just cut off the leaves? Excuse my ignorance! This is my first go at growing vegies. Regards Sandra
06 May 14, Delwen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can pick from the sides, but leave the leaves in the middle to keep them growing :)
Showing 41 - 50 of 103 comments

If it is flowering it will not produce more leaves. Let it go to seed and you will have hundreds of new seeds. Save some in a paper bag or envelope with the name and date on it and then let the rest drop to the ground where they will self sow. You will have an abundance of microgreens which you can snip off with scissors and you can let some grow on to harvest the leaves. Trust this helps.

- John

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.