How far apart should I plant Arugula (rocket)?

About 12 cm (5 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 cm (6–10 in).

Does Arugula (rocket) need full sun?

Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Arugula (rocket) need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Arugula (rocket)?

It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.

When does Arugula (rocket) flower?

About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.

Is Arugula (rocket) poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; pungent glucosinolates can upset the stomach if eaten in quantity.

What grows well with Arugula (rocket)?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Arugula (rocket) Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa

Arugula (rocket) (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) is an annual vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, native to Mediterranean region. It grows 15–60 cm (6–24 in) tall and 15–25 cm (6–10 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 12 cm (5 in) apart.

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Arugula (rocket) at a glance

Type	Annual vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	15–60 cm (6–24 in)
Mature spread	15–25 cm (6–10 in)
Spacing	12 cm (5 in) centre to centre
Sun	Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	6–7
Cold hardiness	About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 24 °C (75 °F)
Flowering	about 6–9 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks
Days to maturity	About 40 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: leaves, flowers, seed pods
Native to	Mediterranean region
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇹 Italy

Is Arugula (rocket) toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not toxic; pungent glucosinolates can upset the stomach if eaten in quantity.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Arugula (rocket)

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

Shared pests and diseases

Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B

Questions about Arugula (rocket)

How far apart should I plant Arugula (rocket)?: About 12 cm (5 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 cm (6–10 in).
Does Arugula (rocket) need full sun?: Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Arugula (rocket) need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Arugula (rocket)?: It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
When does Arugula (rocket) flower?: About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
Is Arugula (rocket) poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; pungent glucosinolates can upset the stomach if eaten in quantity.
What grows well with Arugula (rocket)?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO

Notes and assumptions

Quick salad crop; bolts readily in heat and long days, especially in spring sowings.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes