Growing Rocket, also Arugula/Rucola

Eruca vesicaria : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  P P           P P P  

(Best months for growing Rocket in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 21-35 days.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Lettuce
  • 'Wild' rocket (narrow leaves)
  • Mature plant

Plant every 2 to 3 weeks for a continuous supply. Leafy green plant with lobed, dark green leaves. It has a slightly spicy, nutty flavour. The spiciness intensifies as the plant gets older.

Frost tender.

Keep well watered in well drained ground. Will go to flower rapidly in hot dry weather.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rocket

Use in salads and stir-fry.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
08 Oct 24, Petrus (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Should one nip flowers off to promote leave growth.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Mar 24, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am looking for Winter Rocket..... is this just another name for seeds I buy as rocket.. or what do I look for?
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Mar 24, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate)
Arugula another name. You do not need to plant it every year - for example, in my garden (Perth) they grow and self-seed all year round! Just let them do their own things. Technically, my garden is in Automatic mode, other plants do exactly the same.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Mar 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up an internet site to see the different varieties.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Feb 23, Bets (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can I cook Rocket with spinach?
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Feb 23, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You could try a cooking website for ideas.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Dec 22, Andrew Messem (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
The seeds are sprouting well but at 2.5 inches (6 cm) high they are falling over and dying. What is causing this?
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Jan 23, (Australia - tropical climate)
It is not recommended to grow in south african summer rainfall climate.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Jan 22, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good day to all, Where can we purchase arugula veg in Western Cape Souh Africa? Thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Jul 22, Lilla (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You can buy them from Seeds for Africa.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 1 - 10 of 125 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Rocket

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.