How to Grow Rocket Purple
Rocket Purple
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
vegetableRocket Purple, also known as purple arugula, is a peppery leafy green with deep purple-tinted foliage and a more robust flavor than green varieties. It's a fast-growing cool-season crop that can be harvested at various stages from microgreens to mature leaves. This Mediterranean native is prized for both culinary appeal and nutritional value.
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Example Rocket Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Rocket Purple
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 Rocket Purple
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Rocket Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; prefers cool seasons in spring and fall
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Germination & Seedling
10-14 daysSeeds sprout in 5-10 days. Seedlings emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves) and develop their first true leaves with the characteristic purple-tinged serrated edges.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once true leaves appear. Provide bright indirect light indoors if starting seeds inside.
Juvenile Growth
10-20 daysPlant develops 4-6 true leaves, intensifying purple coloration on leaf margins and stems. Growth is rapid during this phase.
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-70°F ideal). Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant is 4-6 inches tall if desired. Protect from direct heat.
Vegetative/Mature Leaf Stage
10-20 daysPlant develops full rosette of deeply lobed purple-tinged leaves, reaching 12-18 inches in height. Leaves are tender and flavorful at this stage.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continuous production and delay bolting. Maintain cool soil and consistent moisture. Reduce nitrogen feeding to avoid excessive leafiness.
Flowering & Bolting
Variable; accelerates in heatPlant sends up central flower spike with small white, purple, or cream-colored flowers with darker veining. Leaves become more bitter.
Once bolting begins, remaining leaves become increasingly peppery and bitter. Harvest all remaining edible leaves before this stage if mildness is preferred. Allow some plants to flower for seeds if desired.
Seed Production
30-40 days after floweringFlowers are pollinated and develop elongated seed pods. Plant energy shifts entirely to reproduction.
Allow pods to dry on the plant if collecting seeds. Harvest pods when they turn tan/brown and seeds inside rattle. Dry further indoors before storing.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use floating row covers until plant is established. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly. Encourage beneficial insects like parasitic wasps.
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Blast with strong water spray, use insecticidal soap, or apply neem oil. Attract beneficial predators like ladybugs with nectar plants.
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Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray. Install floating row covers to exclude moths. Hand-pick visible caterpillars.
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and
Remove debris and mulch where they hide. Use beer traps, copper tape, or diatomaceous earth. Handpick at dusk.
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Ensure good air circulation. Spray sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide. Remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering.
Uses
Salads & Fresh Dishes
CulinaryPurple rocket adds peppery, slightly spicy flavor and striking color to mixed green salads, grain bowls, and fresh vegetable platters. Young tender leaves are mild and delicate; mature leaves offer bold, assertive flavor. [source]
Pesto & Sauces
CulinaryBlend rocket with olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, and cheese for a vibrant purple-tinted pesto. The peppery notes create complex flavor for pastas, sandwiches, and pizza. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Content
MedicinalRocket is rich in glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, and anthocyanins (the purple pigments). These compounds possess potential anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making it beneficial for immune support. [source]
Cooked Greens
CulinarySauté mature rocket with garlic and olive oil as a side dish, incorporate into soups, or add to pasta just before serving. Heat mellows the peppery bite slightly. [source]
Microgreens & Sprouts
HouseholdRocket seeds germinate quickly and are popular for home microgreen production, offering peppery flavor and striking purple tones in just 10-14 days on a windowsill. [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 when plant reaches 4-6 inches tall by pinching off outer leaves from the base. This encourages bushier growth and prolongs harvest. For tender microgreens, harvest at 2-3 weeks. For mature leaves, pick regularly to prevent bolting. Morning harvest after dew dries yields crispest leaves. In cool seasons, plants remain productive for 6-8 weeks. Flavor becomes increasingly peppery as plant matures and temperatures rise.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple rocket's color comes from anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds that make blueberries and purple cabbage nutritious—these pigments increase when grown in cool weather.
- 🌱 In medieval times, rocket was considered an aphrodisiac and was grown in monastery gardens across Europe for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
- 🌱 Rocket seeds can be collected and stored for up to 5 years, making it an excellent choice for seed savers; they're also popular for sprouting.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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