Arugula 'Rugula'

Family: Brassicaceae Leafy Green

Peppery and vividly green, Arugula ‘Rugula’ unfurls tender leaves with a bright, piquant snap that feels alive on the palate.

Expect a delicate, lacy texture and a naturally upright growth habit that makes harvesting satisfying and consistent at about 40 days. Ideal for fresh salads and quick tosses, it also shines when stirred into sauces for a bold, peppery lift and when pickled for a tangy, aromatic bite.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Arugula 'Rugula'

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	40
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	50
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This variety’s sharp, peppery edge and delicate leaf texture make it a “toss-first, eat-now” green—dress it, then get it to the mouth. Use heat sparingly (a quick stir) so the bite stays vivid instead of turning flat and muddy.

Best Uses

raw salad tossed at the last second so it keeps its snap
hot-pan pasta or grain bowl stir-in for a quick peppery lift
sandwich topping where it stands up to mayo and cured meats
quick pickling for a tangy, aromatic crunch

Flavor Profile

vivid peppery bite bright green, lightly bitter edge tender lacy snap fast-moving acidity on the finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil Parmesan garlic burrata salami

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my arugula leaves developing white powder and how do I stop it? (arugula powdery mildew)

Powdery mildew shows up as a gray-white, floury coating on arugula leaves, often in humid, crowded beds. Remove badly infected leaves, then thin plants so air moves through the row and water only at the soil line (not the foliage). If it keeps spreading, spray with a labeled horticultural sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product, using the label rate and reapplying as directed.

How often should I water arugula 'Rugula' during the main growing phase so it stays tender and doesn’t bolt?

From about germination through harvest, keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently moist but not soggy—typically 1 inch of water per week total, split into 1–2 waterings. In warmer part-sun spots, check daily; water when the soil surface dries but before it crumbles, because drought stress quickly triggers bitterness and early bolting.

How can I tell when arugula 'Rugula' is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 35–40 days when leaves are 4–6 inches long and still tender, with bright green color and no tough stems. You can do a first “cut-and-come-again” harvest: snip outer leaves 1 inch above the crown, leaving the center to regrow. If leaves get noticeably larger but become sharp-tasting or the plant starts sending up a flowering stalk, harvest immediately or remove to prevent seed-stalk flavor changes.