How to grow Arugula
Eruca vesicaria
Peppery salad greens in a month.
Arugula is about the fastest thing you can grow — ready in 3–4 weeks and happiest in cool weather. Sow little and often in spring and fall; it gets sharp and bolts in summer heat.
Grow Arugula with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Arugula at a glance
| Sun | Sun / part shade |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 4 in |
| Harvest | 25–40 days |
| Plant | Spring & fall |
| Note | Very fast |
How to grow Arugula, step by step
Sow often
- Direct-sow small batches every 2–3 weeks in cool weather.
- Thin to 4 in for full leaves.
Keep cool & moist
- Even water keeps it mild; heat makes it hot and bitter.
- A little afternoon shade helps in warm spells.
Cut young
- Snip leaves young for mild flavor; older leaves are sharper.
- Whole-plant harvest once it starts to bolt.
Arugula problems & fixes
Arugula — Tiny shot-holes in leaves: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Flea beetles. Use row cover; harvest young.
Arugula — Hot, bitter flavor: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Heat or age. Grow in cool weather and pick young.
Arugula — Quick to flower: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Normal in warmth — sow often so there’s always a young patch.
Recommended arugula varieties
- Astro — Mild / fast. Quick, mild, slow to bolt.
- Roquette — Classic. Standard peppery wild flavor.
- Wasabi — Spicy. Extra zip for salad lovers.
Arugula month-by-month
| January | Off-season. |
|---|---|
| February | Plan beds. |
| March | First sowings as soil warms. |
| April | Quick spring harvests. |
| May | Last mild cuts before heat. |
| June | Bolts in heat — rest. |
| July | Plan fall sowings. |
| August | Sow for fall. |
| September | Fast fall growth. |
| October | Sweet, mild fall leaves. |
| November | Harvest under cover. |
| December | Off-season. |