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Eruca vesicaria

Previously known as:

  • Eruca sativa
  • Eruca versicaria subsp. sativa
Phonetic Spelling
eh-ROO-kah ves-ih-KAIR-ee-ah
Description

Arugula is an annual cool-season vegetable in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family that is grown for its peppery-tasting leaves. It is native from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Peninsula and China. Growing 8 inches to 3 feet tall and 8 to 18 inches wide, arugula resembles tall lettuce. Popular in Italy, it is often eaten fresh in salads or used in a variety of cooked dishes. Many other parts of the plant can also be eaten such as the flowers, young seed pods, and seeds.

Another edible plant that is often confused with arugula is wild arugula or perennial wall-rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia). It has narrow, deeply divided leaves and is heat tolerant and perennial. Both kinds of arugula have similar culinary uses.

Arugula grows best in full sun to partial shade and moist, rich soil. Grow it in the cooler spring and fall as it tends to bolt and flower in hot weather, changing the flavor and stopping leaf growth. Because of this, some shade can be beneficial in hot climates to deter bolting. It also tolerates wet, mucky soil to some degree as well as light frosts. 

Seeds may be planted directly into the soil or started indoors before the last frost date for later transplanting. Thin seedlings out to 6 inches apart. If growing in containers, use a minimum pot size of 3 gallons and a minimum depth of 4 to 6 inches. Plants can self-seed in the garden, though they seldom run the risk of becoming a weed or escaping into natural areas.

Plants mature quickly, within 40 to 50 days, and can be harvested after 6 weeks. Pick young leaves as older leaves have a bitter flavor. Stagger plantings by one or two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the season. Once plants bolt in the summer, the flowers and seed pods can be harvested as well.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Few serious problems, though minor diseases may occur such as bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew. Aphids and flea beetles may cause problems. Damping off of seedlings is infrequent but possible.

VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Bill Lord, former Area Specialized Agent for NC State Extension

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Tags:
#full sun tolerant#small spaces#summer annual#edible plant#white flowers#edible flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#neutral pH#vegetable garden#cool weather plant#edible seeds#vegetable#edible leaves#cool season vegetable#annual vegetable#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#container vegetable garden#shade tolerant vegetable#spring greens#container plant#coastal plant#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#small spaces#summer annual#edible plant#white flowers#edible flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#moist soil#well-drained soil#rich soils#neutral pH#vegetable garden#cool weather plant#edible seeds#vegetable#edible leaves#cool season vegetable#annual vegetable#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#container vegetable garden#shade tolerant vegetable#spring greens#container plant#coastal plant#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eruca
    Species:
    vesicaria
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean to China and Arabian Peninsula
    Edibility:
    Leaves, flowers, seed pods, and seeds are edible. Harvest leaves and seed pods when young as they get tough and bitter with age. Harvest only as needed as leaves do not keep long in the refrigerator after harvesting.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Siliqua
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Long, beaked pods 0.5-1.5" containing two rows of several seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Four-petaled yellow, cream or white flowers up to an inch in size that grow in corymbs. Petals have purplish veins. Stamens are yellow.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal leaves are pinnately lobed, 4-10 small lateral lobes and a large terminal lobe. Stem leaves are small with entire margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Insect Pests
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy