How to Grow Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens)
Wikimedia Commons
Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens)
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
vegetableArugula is a fast-growing, peppery leafy green that matures in just 3-4 weeks, making it ideal for quick harvests and succession planting. It features deeply lobed, tender leaves with a distinctive spicy flavor and can be harvested young for salads or left to mature for cooking. Arugula thrives in cool seasons and is highly productive in containers, raised beds, or garden rows.
When should you plant Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens) 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 (Mixed Leafy Greens) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens)
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens)
Around May 8≈ 21 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens) dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; grows best in cool seasons (spring and fall)
Sign up free to see if Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens) grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens) timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
5-7 daysSeeds sprout and first true leaves emerge; seedlings appear tender and delicate
Keep soil warm (60-70°F) and consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves appear.
Seedling & Early Growth
7-10 daysMultiple true leaves develop; plants are 2-3 inches tall with characteristic lobed leaf shape
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures. Provide bright light if growing indoors. Gradually harden off transplants.
Vegetative/Rosette Formation
7-14 daysPlant develops dense rosette of lobed leaves; rapid leaf production occurs
Begin succession planting for continuous harvest. Monitor for pests and diseases. Mulch lightly to retain moisture.
Pre-Harvest/Mature
3-7 daysLeaves reach 4-8 inches long and are tender; plant may show signs of preparing to bolt (flowering stalk begins to elongate)
Harvest regularly to encourage further leaf production and delay bolting. Provide shade in hot weather (>75°F) to extend harvest window.
Bolting/Flowering (End of Season)
5-10+ daysPlant sends up flowering stalk with small white or pale yellow flowers; leaves become tougher and more peppery
Harvest immediately for best flavor or allow to flower for seed production. Deadhead flowers to extend leaf harvest slightly.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Use floating row covers, neem oil spray, or diatomaceous earth. Trap crops like radishes nearby can help. Hand-pick if population is low.
-
Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray. Remove by hand. Encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps.
-
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings.
-
and
Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Set beer traps. Use copper barriers or diatomaceous earth around plants.
-
Yellow sticky traps. Neem oil spray. Insecticidal soap. Reflective mulch can deter them.
Uses
Peppery salads and fresh preparations
CulinaryArugula's distinctive peppery, slightly spicy flavor makes it perfect for mixed salads, as a pizza topping, in grain bowls, or blended into creamy soups. Young tender leaves are eaten raw; mature leaves work well in cooked dishes. [source]
Pesto and sauces
CulinaryArugula can be blended with olive oil, garlic, nuts, and cheese to create a vibrant, spicy pesto that works as a sauce for pasta, sandwich spread, or dip. [source]
Glucosinolate content and antioxidants
MedicinalArugula contains glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, compounds studied for potential anti-cancer properties, along with vitamins K, C, and folate. It may support bone health and provide antioxidant benefits. [source]
Microgreen production
HouseholdArugula seeds are excellent for growing microgreens indoors on windowsills or in trays, providing nutrient-dense sprouts within 10-14 days for salads and garnishes. [source]
Bee and pollinator support
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower, arugula produces small, fragrant flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting garden pollinator populations. [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 baby leaves when plants are 3-4 inches tall (15-21 days); use scissors to cut outer leaves and allow center to continue growing for extended harvests. For full-size plants, cut entire rosette at soil level. Morning harvest yields the crispest, most tender leaves. Harvest frequently to delay bolting. Young leaves are milder and more tender; mature leaves are peppier and tougher.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Arugula is one of the fastest-growing vegetables, reaching harvest in as little as 21 days from seed—making it perfect for impatient gardeners.
- 🌱 The peppery flavor compounds in arugula (glucosinolates) intensify as the plant matures and temperatures cool, so fall-grown arugula is typically spicier than spring harvests.
- 🌱 Arugula has been cultivated in the Mediterranean for centuries and was historically used by Romans, who believed it had aphrodisiac properties.
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 (Mixed Leafy Greens) planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Arugula (Mixed Leafy Greens) 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 (Mixed Leafy Greens) timeline →