How to Grow Arugula, Serrated Leaf Arleston
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Arugula, Serrated Leaf Arleston
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
vegetableArugula is a fast-growing leafy green with deeply serrated, peppery leaves that add a distinctive spicy flavor to salads and cooked dishes. The Arleston variety is prized for its finely cut foliage and mild, refined peppery taste compared to standard arugula. It's a cool-season crop that thrives in spring and fall, producing harvestable leaves within weeks of planting.
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Example Arugula, Serrated Leaf Arleston timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Arugula, Serrated Leaf Arleston
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Arugula, Serrated Leaf Arleston
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; best in cool seasons (spring and fall)
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Get my Arugula, Serrated Leaf Arleston timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysTiny cotyledons emerge, followed by the first true leaves with characteristic serrated edges. Plants are delicate and pale green.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves appear. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksPlant develops multiple serrated leaves in a rosette pattern. Foliage deepens in color and becomes increasingly lobed and finely cut.
Water consistently, maintain cool temperatures (55-70°F ideal). Begin light harvesting of outer leaves if desired. Watch for bolting triggers (warm weather, long days).
Pre-Harvest
1-2 weeksPlant reaches 6-8 inches tall with abundant, tender, fully-formed serrated leaves. Ideal texture and flavor are at peak.
Harvest regularly to encourage bushier growth and delay bolting. Keep soil evenly moist. Provide afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 70°F.
Bolting
1-2 weeksCentral flower stalk emerges, leaves become tougher and more bitter. Small white or pale yellow flowers appear with four petals.
Once bolting begins, harvested leaves become increasingly bitter and tough. Can harvest flowers for garnish or allow to mature for seed production.
Seed Production
3-4 weeksFlowers develop into elongated seed pods containing round brown seeds. Plant becomes tough and woody.
Allow pods to dry completely on the plant before harvesting seeds. Once seed pods form, plant is no longer suitable for eating as greens.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers, spray neem oil, apply kaolin clay, encourage beneficial insects, plant trap crops of radishes
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Install row covers, hand-pick caterpillars, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), use spinosad spray
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and
Hand-pick at night, use beer traps, apply diatomaceous earth, encourage ground beetles, remove debris
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Spray with water to dislodge, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators like ladybugs
Uses
Fresh Salads & Peppery Greens
CulinaryArugula's distinctive peppery, slightly spicy flavor makes it an excellent addition to fresh salads, providing complex flavor notes. The Arleston variety's finely serrated leaves add visual appeal and a more refined, milder peppery taste than standard varieties. [source]
Pesto & Cooked Dishes
CulinaryArugula can be used to make a peppery pesto, added to soups, sautéed as a warm side dish, or used on pizzas and pastas. Cooking mellows the peppery bite while retaining characteristic flavor. [source]
Nutritional & Digestive Benefits
MedicinalArugula is rich in vitamins K, C, and A, plus glucosinolates and other phytonutrients with potential anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. Regular consumption may support bone health and overall wellness. [source]
Quick-Growing Microgreens
HouseholdArugula seeds germinate quickly and can be grown as nutrient-dense microgreens in shallow trays indoors, providing harvests in just 10-14 days for use as garnishes and nutritious additions to dishes. [source]
Pollinator Support & Food Source
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower and bolt, arugula produces delicate white/pale yellow flowers that attract bees and other pollinators, providing early-season nectar and pollen. [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 plants are 4-6 inches tall (30-40 days). Pinch off leaves from the outside inward to encourage continued growth. Harvest in the morning for crispest texture. Cut leaf stems just above soil level for repeated harvests from the same plant, or harvest entire plant by cutting at soil level. The Arleston variety maintains tender texture longer than standard arugula before bolting. Stop harvesting and allow plant to bolt only if saving seeds is desired. Peak flavor and tenderness occur in cool weather (55-65°F).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Arugula has been cultivated since ancient Roman times and was considered an aphrodisiac in Roman culture, sometimes banned from monastic gardens.
- 🌱 The Arleston variety is a specialty European cultivar selected specifically for its finely serrated leaves and superior flavor profile compared to standard arugula.
- 🌱 Arugula plants bolt extremely quickly in warm weather and long days (15+ hours of daylight), making it primarily a cool-season crop; succession planting every 2 weeks ensures continuous harvest.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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