How to Grow Wild Arugula
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Wild Arugula
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
vegetableWild arugula is a peppery leafy green with deeply lobed leaves and a more intense, complex flavor than cultivated arugula. It is a cool-season crop that produces tender leaves ideal for salads and cooking. The plant is hardy, productive, and tolerates heat and cold better than its milder cousin, garden arugula.
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Example Wild Arugula timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Wild Arugula
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 Wild Arugula
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Wild Arugula dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-10; best production in cool seasons (spring and fall in warm zones)
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Get my Wild Arugula timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
7-14 daysSeeds sprout in 5-10 days at soil temperatures of 50-70°F. True leaves emerge after cotyledons, showing the characteristic deeply lobed arugula foliage.
Keep soil consistently moist; avoid waterlogging. Thin seedlings to 6-inch spacing once they reach 2-3 inches tall. Can be left thicker for cut-and-come-again harvesting.
Early Leaf Development
10-20 daysYoung plants develop 4-6 true leaves forming a rosette base. Leaves are tender and mildly peppery, increasingly lobed and feathery.
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-70°F ideal). Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants reach 4-6 inches tall. Light fertilizing with compost tea or balanced fertilizer boosts growth.
Productive Leaf Growth
20-40 daysPlant produces abundant deeply lobed leaves with intense peppery flavor. Bushy rosette forms dense foliage; peak tenderness and flavor achieved.
Harvest frequently (every 7-10 days) by cutting outer leaves 1 inch above soil. Remove flowering shoots to extend leaf production. Keep soil moist and cool; provide afternoon shade in summer.
Bolting & Flowering
Variable; triggered by heat and photoperiodPlant sends up tall flowering stems with small yellow flowers. Leaves become tougher and more peppery; plant focuses energy on seed production.
Pinch off flower buds to extend leaf harvest season. Allow some flowers to bloom for pollinators and seed saving. Cooler temperatures (below 70°F) delay bolting significantly.
Seed Production & End of Season
30-45 days from flowering to mature seedsFlowers develop into slender seed pods (siliques). Plant becomes woody and unpalatable. Seeds mature dry and brown, ready for collection.
Allow selected plants to mature seeds. Harvest seed pods when dry and brown; thresh to extract seeds. Allow volunteer plants to reseed. Wild arugula often self-seeds reliably.
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 of nasturtium nearby; maintain consistent moisture and mulch to reduce pest habitat.
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Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; use row covers; hand-pick caterpillars; encourage parasitic wasps with flowering plants.
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Spray with strong water stream; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; release ladybugs; plant garlic and chives nearby as repellents.
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation; encourage native parasitic wasps.
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and
Remove debris and dense mulch where they hide; use copper tape barriers; place beer traps; encourage ground beetles and parasitic flies; hand-pick at night.
Uses
Salads & Fresh Greens
CulinaryWild arugula's deeply lobed leaves and intense peppery flavor make it a premium salad ingredient. Use baby leaves raw for delicate presentations or mature leaves for robust flavor in mixed greens, grain bowls, and Mediterranean dishes. [source]
Pesto & Cooking
CulinaryThe peppery, nutty flavor intensifies when cooked. Blend into pesto with pine nuts and cheese, sauté as a side dish, wilt into pasta, or use in soups and grain dishes for a sophisticated flavor boost. [source]
Nutritional & Detox Support
MedicinalWild arugula contains glucosinolates, compounds studied for cancer-preventive properties, and is rich in vitamins A, K, C, and minerals. Traditional use supports digestive health and liver function. [source]
Skin Care & Wellness
HouseholdThe sulfur compounds and antioxidants in wild arugula are used in homemade face masks and wellness tonics. Fresh juice or infusions are valued in natural skincare formulations. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeWhen allowed to flower, wild arugula's yellow blooms attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Leaving some plants to flower supports pollinator populations and enables seed saving. [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 reach 4-6 inches tall, usually 30-40 days from sowing. Use the cut-and-come-again method: cut outer leaves 1 inch above soil with scissors, leaving the central growing point intact. Harvest in early morning for maximum tenderness and moisture. For baby leaves, harvest at 2-3 weeks. Mature leaves become increasingly peppery and slightly tougher but remain palatable. Wild arugula is more heat-tolerant than garden arugula and extends the harvest season. Most productive in spring and fall; bolts quickly in summer heat above 75°F.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Wild arugula (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) is a perennial or winter annual that can produce harvestable leaves for multiple seasons in mild climates, unlike garden arugula (Eruca sativa), which is an annual. It readily self-seeds and can become a volunteer crop year after year.
- 🌱 The name 'arugula' comes from the Italian 'ruchetta,' which derives from Latin 'eruca.' Wild arugula has been cultivated in Mediterranean cuisines for centuries and is considered more refined and complex in flavor than its milder cousin.
- 🌱 Wild arugula's deep taproot makes it more drought-tolerant than garden arugula once established, and it can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F, making it viable for fall, winter, and early spring harvests in many regions.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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