It has a somewhat tart and peppery flavor.
The leaves are deeply lobed and reach around 3 to 6 inches long.
They grow in rosettes.
The Spruce / K. Dave
As a cold-season vegetable, arugula can be planted in the early spring or late summer.
It won’t grow well in the high heat of midsummer.
Arugula tolerates frost and even a light freeze.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Selecting a Planting Site
Your planting site should be sunny to part-sunny and have well-draining soil.
Container growth is also an option.
Nursery plants should be positioned at the same depth they were in their previous container.
The Spruce / K. Dave
A support structure won’t be necessary.
It also does well in part-sun, especially in warm climates.
But as the temperature starts to rise, provide some afternoon shade.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Soil
Arugula plants are happiest in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH.
They tolerate a variety of soil types but prefer a nutrient-rich loam.
Water
Like many vegetables, arugula needs regular watering for healthy growth and optimal flavor.
It has a shallow root system.
In dry climates, this might mean watering every morning.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal temperature range for arugula is between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
It tolerates frost but doesn’t like the high heat of summer.
But the best strategy is to plant it at the right times.
It does not need high humidity and grows quite well in arid climates, provided it gets enough water.
Pale leaves indicate a lack of nourishment.
To enrich your soil, mix in compost prior to planting.
Pollination
Arugula is a self-pollinator, and varieties also can cross-pollinate via insects and the wind.
Types of Arugula
The types of arugula vary in flavor, appearance, and more.
Here are some favorites:
Arugula vs. Arugula is notably peppery, while spinach is mild and a little sweet.
Spinach leaves also are generally fuller and lack the deep lobes of arugula leaves.
Its best to harvest leaves when they reach around 3 inches long.
Young leaves are tender and sweet while older leaves start to get tough and bitter.
If you wait too long to harvest and the plant bolts, eat the flowers but not the leaves.
The blooms appear after the leaves have grown to full size and are too bitter to eat.
Aim to use fresh leaves as soon as possible.
They will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
This is a convenient way to keep your plants near your kitchen for regular harvesting.
Because the roots are fairly shallow, you don’t need an exceptionally deep container.
A depth of at least 6 inches with a wider diameter should do.
see to it the container has drainage holes.
Unglazed clay is a good material to allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls.
And aself-watering containercan make care a lot easier.
Pruning
No pruning beyond regular harvesting is necessary for arugula.
Propagating Arugula
The most effective way to propagate arugula is bysaving seeds.
This is an inexpensive and convenient way to propagate varieties you particularly liked or plants that were especially vigorous.
You just need to confirm different varieties are separated by at least 800 feet to avoid cross-pollination.
It can bedirect-seededin the garden starting about one to two weeks before the final frost in the spring.
The seeds can germinate even when the soil temperature is as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightly cover the seeds with soil, and keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Germination should occur within a week.
Overwintering
Arugula is an annual, so no overwintering is necessary.
Grow lights are an option to supplement natural sunlight.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Diseases aren’t common with arugula plants.
But bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew might occur.
Keep an eye out for insect eggs, and remove any you find by hand.
It takes between four and seven weeks on average for arugula seeds to grow and be ready to harvest.
Arugula is an annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle in one season.
