How to Grow Arugula Apollo Roquette
Wikimedia Commons
Arugula Apollo Roquette
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
vegetableApollo is a fast-growing, cold-tolerant arugula variety prized for its tender leaves and peppery flavor. It matures quickly and is ideal for spring and fall harvests, as well as winter greenhouse growing. The deeply lobed leaves have a distinctive sharp, mustard-like taste that becomes milder with age.
When should you plant Arugula Apollo Roquette in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Arugula Apollo Roquette timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Arugula Apollo Roquette
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Arugula Apollo Roquette
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Arugula Apollo Roquette dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; prefers cooler seasons but grows year-round in mild climates
Sign up free to see if Arugula Apollo Roquette grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Arugula Apollo Roquette timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
5-10 daysSeeds sprout with cotyledons (seed leaves) emerging within 5-10 days at soil temperatures of 50-70°F.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide good air circulation to prevent damping off. Maintain cool temperatures for best germination.
Seedling
10-14 daysTrue leaves begin to appear; plants develop the characteristic lobed leaf shape. Seedlings are 1-2 inches tall with 2-4 true leaves.
Thin seedlings to 6-inch spacing. Water gently at soil level. Provide adequate light to prevent stretching. Keep temperatures cool (60-65°F).
Vegetative Growth
15-25 daysRapid leaf expansion occurs with multiple lobed leaves developing. Plant height reaches 6-10 inches with dense foliage.
Maintain consistent soil moisture. Apply light fertilizer every 2 weeks with balanced NPK. Monitor for pests. Keep soil cool with mulch in warm weather.
Harvest Ready
Extends 2-4 weeks with continuous harvestLeaves are tender, deeply lobed, and reach 4-6 inches in length with full peppery flavor. Plant is compact and bushy.
Begin harvesting outer leaves when 3-4 inches long. Harvest frequently to encourage more leaf production and delay bolting. Cut leaves in morning for best flavor.
Flowering/Bolting
7-10 days from first visible floweringFlower stalks emerge from the center with small yellow, four-petaled flowers. Leaves become tougher and more peppery/bitter.
Once bolting begins, flavor deteriorates significantly. Pull plants and replant for succession crops. In cool seasons, can cut flower buds to extend leaf harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use row covers on young plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad. Encourage beneficial insects. Mulch heavily to disrupt breeding.
-
Use fine mesh netting. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Hand-pick caterpillars. Encourage parasitic wasps.
-
Spray with water to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings.
-
and
Remove debris and mulch from immediate area. Use copper tape barriers. Beer traps. Hand-pick at dusk.
-
Use yellow sticky traps. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Increase air circulation. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Uses
Fresh Salads & Raw Greens
CulinaryApollo arugula's tender leaves and peppery flavor make it ideal for salads, especially mixed green compositions. The distinctive mustard-like taste pairs well with citrus vinaigrettes, balsamic reductions, and creamy dressings. [source]
Pesto & Prepared Dishes
CulinaryBlend arugula leaves with garlic, cheese, nuts, and olive oil to create a vibrant green pesto. Use in pasta, on pizza, as a sandwich spread, or mixed into soups and risotto for a peppery kick. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Properties
MedicinalArugula is rich in vitamins K, C, and A, plus glucosinolates and isothiocyanates—compounds with potential anti-cancer properties. High in calcium, iron, and folate, supporting bone health and cell function. [source]
Wilted Cooking & Hot Dishes
CulinaryApollo's tender leaves wilt beautifully when briefly cooked. Sauté with garlic and olive oil as a side dish, add to soups near the end of cooking, or incorporate into frittatas and egg dishes. [source]
Microgreen Production
HouseholdApollo arugula grows well as a microgreen, ready to harvest in 10-14 days. Use on sandwiches, soups, and salads for concentrated flavor and nutrition in compact form. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when 3-4 inches long, typically 30-35 days after planting. Use scissors or pinch off leaves at the base. Harvest in the morning for peak tenderness and flavor. Frequent harvesting (every 2-3 days) encourages bushier growth and extends the harvest window. Young, tender leaves are milder; larger, older leaves are more peppery. Stop harvesting when flower buds appear, as flavor becomes very bitter. Apollo is excellent for successive plantings every 2 weeks for continuous supply.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Arugula Apollo is named for its rapid growth speed and cold hardiness, making it a champion of quick successive plantings. Gardeners can grow four to six crops in a single season in temperate climates.
- 🌱 The peppery flavor of arugula comes from glucosinolates and isothiocyanates—the same compounds that give mustard, wasabi, and horseradish their sharp bite. These compounds are released when leaves are crushed or chewed.
- 🌱 Arugula has been cultivated since ancient Roman times and was believed by Romans to have aphrodisiac properties. It remains a staple of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine today.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Arugula Apollo Roquette planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Arugula Apollo Roquette seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Arugula Apollo Roquette timeline →