Arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa): Peppery Salad Green

Arugula: The Spicy Green That Elevates Salads

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa), also called rocket, roquette, rucola, or rugula, is a fast-growing annual leafy green with a distinctive peppery, nutty flavor. It's a staple in Italian cuisine and mesclun mixes, and the flowers are also edible.

Botanical Profile

Native to the Mediterranean. Grows 12–24 inches tall with deeply lobed, dark green leaves. White flowers with purple veins appear when it bolts in heat. The flavor intensifies with age and heat.

Culinary and Garden Uses

• Salads: Baby leaves mild; mature leaves peppery.
• Pizza, pasta, pesto: Added after cooking.
• Flowers: Edible, mild peppery flavor; beautiful garnish.
• Quick crop: Ready in 3–4 weeks; succession sow.

Cool-season crop; bolts in heat. Grow in full sun to part shade, rich, moist soil. Direct sow; thin to 4–6 inches. Harvest cut-and-come-again. Annual in all zones.