Rocket

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Peppery and bright, Rocket arugula arrives with a vivid, pepper-leaf snap—tender yet distinctly assertive in flavor.

The leaves form a compact rosette in about 30 days, with an airy, slightly ruffled texture that holds its bite for fresh salads and quick sautéing, and shines when stirred into sauces for a lively, green-garlic character. Grow it for repeat harvests in cool weather, when its flavor feels most electric and clean.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 30 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 18th
Harvest Begins	May 18th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	30
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This is arugula for people who want a real pepper-leaf snap—tender enough to eat raw, but bold enough to stand up to heat without turning dull. It’s at its best dressed hard with lemon/olive oil or briefly sautéed just to wilt at the edges, not into mush.

Best Uses

fresh salads where it stays crisp under vinaigrette
quick sauté or blistering in a hot pan—stirs in fast, keeps its structure
stirred into warm pasta or grains at the last second
whisked into green sauces and herb oils for that sharp, arugula-on-garlic character

Flavor Profile

peppery bite bright, citrusy edge tender-leafy snap clean, slightly bitter finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil parmesan garlic balsamic vinegar chili flakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa), and how do I control it?

Cabbage moth caterpillars and flea beetles are common on Brassicaceae like arugula, causing ragged holes in leaves. Hand-pick caterpillars early, then cover seedlings with fine row fabric to prevent egg-laying and reduce flea beetle damage. If needed, use an insecticidal soap on affected foliage and remove badly damaged leaves to slow spread.

How often should I water rocket/arugula during active leaf growth?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged so leaves stay tender—typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week in warm weather, split into smaller waterings if it dries quickly. Water directly at the soil line and avoid letting the bed swing dry then flood, which can trigger early bolting and peppery, tough leaves.

How can I tell when rocket (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest about 30 days after sowing when leaves are 4–6 inches long and the plants are forming a leafy rosette. Snip outer leaves first to keep the center producing, or cut the whole plant if most leaves reach size at once. If plants start sending up a tall flowering stem, harvest immediately and expect a sharper, more bitter flavor.