Rocket Roquette, Rucola, Garden Rocket, Eruca, Rocketsalad, Arugula, Rugola, Rokka, Rughetta

Eruca sativa

Rocket belongs to the Eruca genus. Rocket is also known as Roquette, Rucola, Garden Rocket, Eruca, Rocketsalad, Arugula, Rugola, Rokka, Rughetta

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The Rocket Plant Wiki

All details in our wiki have been kindly provided by our members.

A compact, dark green plant grown for its strongly-flavored, peppery leaves. A member of the mustard family, arugula boasts a continental lineage and is equally well known by its Italian derived name (from ruca or rucula) and by its French appellation, roquette.

Arugula can be eaten raw in salad or cooked (braised) like spinach. When it bolts, taste that leaves and see if you like them — they are more strongly flavored than younger leaves, but many people enjoy them. The flowers are also edible.

Rocket belongs to the Eruca genus.

How to grow and keep Rocket happy

Rocket grows best in cool, moist conditions. Fall and spring are perfect. It needs a lot of water. If you are careful, you can clip leaves from the outside of the plant and allow it to keep growing – just make sure to not disturb the roots. In hot weather, it may bolt, but don’t worry, the flowers taste great!
Harvest when leaves are 3 to 4 inches long either by pulling the entire plants or by breaking off individual leaves. If you cut a plant off at soil line, rather than pulling it, it will resprout.

How to sow and germinate Rocket

How to transplant Rocket

How to harvest Rocket

Cut Leaves off at soil level when 2" – 4" long. Leaves will regrow. Leaves are sweeter when young.

Companion plants for Rocket

These plants will grow well with Rocket:

Repellent plants for Rocket

These plants will not grow well with Rocket so avoid planting these within close proximity:

Common Rocket pests

These pests are known to attack Rocket plants:

Common Rocket diseases & problems

These problems and diseases are known to effect Rocket plants:

How long does Rocket take to grow?

These estimates for how long Rocket takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world. Start logging and journaling your observations to participate!

When should I sow or plant Rocket?

These estimates are relative to your last frost date. Enter your frost dates and we'll calculate your sowing and planting dates for you!

Rocket Etymology

Arugula boasts a continental lineage and is equally well known by its Italian derived name (from ruca or rucula) and by its French appellation, roquette.

Rocket Folklore

By one account, its seeds were first brought to North America in 1631 by the son of the Puritan leader John Winthrop, a curious beginning given the plant’s contemporary association with the upscale nouvelle cuisine.
(Taken from the book Salad Gardens by Karan Davis Cutler)