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Arugula

Eruca vesicaria

VegetablesFrost Hardy

Peppery salad green that grows quickly from seed. Best in cool weather; bolt-resistant varieties extend the harvest window.

Overview

SunPartial Shade
WaterMediumCalculate watering amount
Height15–25 cm
Spread15 cm
Spacing15 cm
Row Spacing25 cm
Germination5–7 days
To Harvest21–40 days

Companion Planting

Bad Companions

None

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats; safe to consume, though large amounts may cause mild GI upset in pets due to nitrates and oxalates.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun (6+ hours) to partial shade; provide afternoon shade in hot climates to delay bolting.
SoilWell-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0; amend with 2 inches of compost before planting.
Sowing Depth0.5 cm
Planting Depth3 cm
WateringWater deeply 1-2 times per week, providing about 2.5 cm of water; keep soil consistently moist and water at the base to avoid wetting foliage.

1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.

FertilizingRarely needed if compost is added; optionally side-dress with a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during growth.

Care Tip: Sow successionally every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest and apply a 5 cm mulch layer to regulate soil temperature and prevent bolting.

Common Pests

Flea Beetles

Symptoms: Tiny round holes scattered across leaves, especially severe on young seedlings.

Treatment: Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; use diatomaceous earth around the base of plants.

Prevention: Cover seedlings with floating row covers and practice crop rotation.

Aphids

Symptoms: Curled, yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew residue on foliage.

Treatment: Spray with insecticidal soap or a strong jet of water to dislodge colonies.

Prevention: Interplant with strong-scented herbs like basil or dill and encourage beneficial insects such as ladybugs.

Cabbage Loopers

Symptoms: Large, irregular holes chewed in leaves; green caterpillars visible on undersides.

Treatment: Hand-pick caterpillars or apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray.

Prevention: Use floating row covers and inspect plants regularly for eggs on leaf undersides.

Common Diseases

Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Yellow or white spots on upper leaf surfaces with grayish-purple fuzzy growth on undersides.

Treatment: Remove and destroy infected leaves; apply copper-based fungicide if severe.

Prevention: Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and space plants adequately.

Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White, powdery coating on leaf surfaces that stunts growth and reduces vigor.

Treatment: Spray with a baking soda solution (1 tsp per liter water) or neem oil.

Prevention: Avoid crowding plants, water at soil level, and ensure adequate sunlight exposure.

Black Rot

Symptoms: V-shaped yellow-orange lesions forming on leaf edges that spread inward, causing wilting.

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants immediately; no chemical cure is effective once established.

Prevention: Rotate brassica crops on a 2-3 year cycle and use certified disease-free seed.