Stefan.lefnaer / CC BY-SA 4.0
garden
Arugula
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
Edible
Edible Partsleaves
Overview
A peppery, fast-growing salad green that has been cultivated since Roman times as both food and aphrodisiac. Arugula's distinctive mustardy bite comes from glucosinolates, the same cancer-fighting compounds found in broccoli. It bolts quickly in heat but thrives as a cool-season crop and readily self-seeds for continuous harvests.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones3 — 11
Height0.3m
Spread0.2m
Growth HabitForb/herb
LifespanAnnual
Pollinator Valuemoderate
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Soil pH6 — 7
Soil TypeMoist, fertile, well-drained soil
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow after last frost; succession sow every 2 weeks |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jun — Jul | Harvest baby leaves at 2-3"; cut-and-come-again |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Mar — May | Succession sow every 2 weeks; bolts in heat |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Aug — Sep | Fall sowing for autumn harvest |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Apr — Jun | Harvest young leaves; becomes peppery with heat |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Sep — Oct | Fall harvest |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Feb — Apr | Cool-season crop; succession sow every 2 weeks |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Sep — Oct | Fall sowing |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Mar — May | Harvest before bolting |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Oct — Nov | Fall harvest |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Oct — Feb (wraps) | Grow fall through winter; bolts quickly in warmth |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Nov — Mar (wraps) | Harvest during cool months |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Feb (wraps) | Cool-season crop only; bolts above 75°F |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Nov — Mar (wraps) | Harvest during winter |
Uses
Culinary
- Fresh in salads, sandwiches, and as pizza topping
- Blended into pesto as an alternative to basil
- Wilted into pasta and grain bowls
Medicinal
- Rich in glucosinolates with anti-cancer properties
- High in vitamin K for bone health
- Contains nitrates that support cardiovascular function
Other Uses
- Quick-growing catch crop between slower vegetables
- Flowers attract beneficial pollinators
