How to Grow Roquette / Wild Rocket
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Roquette / Wild Rocket
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa / Diplotaxis tenuifolia
vegetableRoquette (also called arugula) is a peppery, fast-growing leafy green with deeply lobed leaves and a distinctive spicy flavor. Wild rocket is a similar but more intensely flavored relative with thinner, more delicate foliage. Both are cool-season crops that thrive in spring and fall gardens.
When should you plant Roquette / Wild Rocket in your zone?
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Example Roquette / Wild Rocket timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Roquette / Wild Rocket
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 Roquette / Wild Rocket
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Roquette / Wild Rocket dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; prefers cool seasons (spring and fall) in most regions
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Germination & Seedling
7-14 daysSeeds sprout within 5-10 days in cool soil (60-70°F). First true leaves emerge; seedlings are delicate with fine cotyledons.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings to spacing as soon as first true leaves appear. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation.
Vegetative Growth
2-4 weeksRosette of deeply lobed, tender green leaves develops rapidly. Leaves become larger and more peppery in flavor as the plant matures.
Water consistently and provide cool temperatures (55-70°F). Fertilize lightly with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Begin harvesting outer leaves when 4-6 inches tall.
Peak Harvest
2-4 weeksPlant reaches full leaf production with dense foliage and optimal peppery flavor. Leaves are tender, vibrant green, and ready for harvest.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth. Keep harvesting to delay bolting. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather to extend season.
Bolting
1-2 weeks before plant exhaustionPlant produces a tall flower stalk with small, pale yellow or white flowers. Leaves become tougher and more bitter.
Once bolting begins, harvest remaining leaves immediately if desired. Allow some plants to bolt for seed production if desired. Remove bolted plants to make room for new succession plantings.
Seed Production
4-6 weeksSmall, round seed pods develop on flowering stems. Seeds mature and dry as pods turn brown.
Allow 4-6 weeks for seeds to mature. Cut stems with mature brown pods and dry indoors. Store dry seeds in cool, dark place for next season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers on young plants; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; plant trap crops like radish nearby
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); use row covers; encourage beneficial insects
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and
Hand-pick in early morning; use copper tape barriers; encourage ground beetles; apply diatomaceous earth
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Strong water spray to dislodge; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; plant companion flowers for beneficial insects
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or fungicides; remove infected leaves
Uses
Peppery Salad Green & Leaf Harvests
CulinaryTender young leaves provide a distinctive peppery, slightly nutty flavor perfect for fresh salads, arugula pesto, and leafy green dishes. The more mature the leaf, the spicier the taste. [source]
Cooked Greens & Italian Cuisine
CulinaryRoquette is sautéed, wilted into pasta dishes, risottos, and soups in Italian cooking. Heat mellows the peppery flavor somewhat while retaining nutritional value. [source]
Nutritional & Digestive Support
MedicinalRich in vitamins K, A, and C, plus antioxidants and compounds that may support digestion and detoxification. Traditional use in Mediterranean medicine. [source]
Pesto & Oil-Based Condiments
CulinaryBlended with garlic, olive oil, nuts, and cheese to create vibrant green pesto variants. More intensely flavored than basil pesto. [source]
Seed Production & Garden Succession
HouseholdAllows home gardeners to easily save seeds from bolting plants for continuous plantings throughout the growing season, making roquette a sustainable cut-and-come-again crop. [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 leaves when plants are 4-6 inches tall by pinching or cutting outer leaves. Harvest in the morning for peak crispness and flavor. Regular harvesting delays bolting and encourages more growth. In cool seasons, can harvest entire plant by cutting at soil level when 6-8 inches tall. Roquette is best eaten young and tender; wild rocket tolerates harvest longer and has more intense flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Roquette has been cultivated since Roman times and was a favorite of Cleopatra; it was known to enhance fertility in ancient Egypt.
- 🌱 Wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) is more heat and drought-tolerant than cultivated roquette and can regrow after cutting multiple times in a season.
- 🌱 The distinctive peppery flavor comes from glucosinolates, the same compounds found in cabbage and broccoli that may have anti-cancer properties.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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