Arugula 'Savory'

Family: Brassicaceae Leafy Green

Savory arugula ‘Savory’ bursts with a peppery, gently nutty bite and a bright, green snap that feels crisp and lively from first harvest.

Its leaves form an attractive rosette with tender, medium-width blades—ideal for fresh, quick use and for stirring into vibrant sauces where its flavor stays bold and aromatic. Grow it for a fast 40-day turnaround and enjoy the satisfying, garden-fresh intensity it brings to every plate.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 40 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Arugula 'Savory'

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	May 28th
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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Savory ‘Savory’ arugula is all about that peppery, nutty snap—use it raw for maximum bite or add it off-heat so it wilts in streaks instead of collapsing. Its clean, green heat plays especially well with lemony fats like olive oil and salty dairy, where it stays assertive rather than turning bitter.

Best Uses

shaved or whole-leaf salads that can take bold vinaigrette and oily cheese
stir-into warm pasta or beans at the last second for peppery wilt without going limp
quick blitz into green sauces/pestos where it keeps a spicy, clean finish
topping for flatbreads, eggs, and roasted vegetables to deliver a crisp, pungent hit

Flavor Profile

peppery bite with a gently nutty edge bright green, lemony snap tender crunch that turns aromatic fast when wilted

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil parmesan garlic burrata prosciutto

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I control downy mildew on arugula 'Savory' (leaves turning yellow with gray/purple growth)?

Downy mildew shows as pale/yellow patches on the upper leaf surface with a gray-purple fuzzy growth underneath, especially in humid, crowded plantings. Remove and discard affected leaves immediately, improve airflow by thinning plants to about 6–8 inches apart, and water at the soil line (not overhead). If it keeps spreading, use a labeled copper-based fungicide for leafy greens and reapply according to the label until new growth is clean.

How often should I water arugula 'Savory' during the main growing phase to keep it tender?

After germination, keep the top 1 inch of soil evenly moist—usually about 1 inch of water per week total, split into 2–3 soakings. Water more often in warm, part-sun conditions so plants don’t dry out between waterings; consistent moisture helps prevent early bolting and keeps leaves mild. Avoid waterlogging (no standing water)—arugula is shallow-rooted and will suffer if the soil stays soggy.

When is arugula 'Savory' ready to harvest, and how should I pick it?

Start harvesting at about 30–40 days when leaves are 4–6 inches long and look full but still tender. For baby-leaf harvest, cut outer leaves 1–2 inches above the crown; for larger leaves, harvest whole plants only once the rosette is well formed. Check daily during warm spells because arugula can bolt quickly if it’s stressed.