How to Grow The Rocket
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The Rocket
Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
vegetableThe Rocket is a fast-growing, peppery leafy green also known as arugula or roquette. This cool-season crop is prized for its distinctive spicy flavor and tender leaves, which can be harvested within 3-4 weeks of planting. It's an excellent choice for quick succession planting and extends the gardening season into spring and fall.
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Example The Rocket timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant The 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 The Rocket
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cool seasons (spring and fall)
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Get my The Rocket timeline →Growth Stages
Germination
5-7 daysSeeds sprout and tiny cotyledons (seed leaves) emerge from soil
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Seeds germinate in 5-7 days. Ensure consistent temperature around 60-70°F for best results.
Seedling
1-2 weeksTrue leaves begin to develop; plants have 2-4 small leaves and are fragile
Thin seedlings to proper spacing (6 inches apart) when they have 2-3 true leaves. Provide bright light. Keep soil consistently moist.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksPlants develop numerous lobed leaves and form a loose rosette; leaves become larger and more textured
Water regularly to prevent stress and bitterness. Provide partial shade in hot weather. Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants reach 3-4 inches tall.
Mature Harvest
2-4 weeksLeaves are full-sized (3-6 inches long), tender, and exhibit characteristic deeply lobed appearance with peppery flavor
Harvest regularly to encourage continued growth and delay bolting. Water consistently to maintain leaf quality. In cool weather, plants remain harvestable for several weeks.
Bolting
1-2 weeks until unusablePlant produces a central flower stalk with small white or pale yellow flowers; leaves become tougher and more bitter
Once bolting begins, harvest quality declines. Either use remaining leaves quickly or allow plant to go to seed for self-seeding. Provide shade and consistent moisture to delay bolting.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use floating row covers on young plants. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestations occur. Remove debris where beetles overwinter.
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Hand-pick caterpillars. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if needed. Use row covers to prevent adult moths from laying eggs.
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Remove hiding places (boards, mulch piles). Set beer traps. Hand-pick in early morning. Use copper tape barriers around beds.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap. Improve air circulation around plants.
Uses
Salads and Fresh Eating
CulinaryRocket's peppery, mustard-like flavor makes it ideal for fresh salads, mixed greens, and as a garnish. Young tender leaves are milder and preferred for raw consumption; older leaves develop a more assertive spice. [source]
Cooked Greens and Pesto
CulinaryRocket can be lightly sautéed as a side dish or wilted into pasta dishes. It also makes an excellent pesto when blended with garlic, olive oil, nuts, and cheese, offering a distinctive peppery twist on traditional basil pesto. [source]
Nutritional and Anti-inflammatory Properties
MedicinalRocket is rich in vitamins K, C, and A, along with glucosinolates and other compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory and potential cancer-preventive properties. Traditional medicine has used it to support digestion and as a general tonic. [source]
Seed Oil Production
HouseholdRocket seeds can be pressed to produce a peppery seed oil used in gourmet cooking. The oil has a distinctive nutty, spicy flavor and is prized by chefs for finishing dishes. [source]
Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower, rocket's small white blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The flowers also provide early-season nectar for beneficial insects that help control garden pests. [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 3-4 inches tall, about 3-4 weeks after planting. Use scissors or pinch leaves for tender growth. Harvest regularly to encourage continued productivity and delay bolting. Pick leaves in the morning for best flavor and crispness. For whole-plant harvest, cut about 1 inch above soil level. Rocket bolts quickly in hot weather (above 75°F), so plan spring and fall crops accordingly.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Rocket has been cultivated since ancient Roman times and was believed by Romans to have aphrodisiac properties, earning it various colorful historical names.
- 🌱 The plant is also called 'roquette' (French), 'rucola' (Italian), and 'tara' (Hindi), reflecting its widespread use across Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.
- 🌱 Rocket bolts extremely quickly in summer heat, but a single plant left to flower and set seed will self-sow abundantly, providing volunteer plants in subsequent seasons.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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