Eruca

( EHR - ooh - kuh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering herbaceous perennial and annual plants is native to the Mediterranean, western and central Asia and China. The genus is known for its widely-used leaf vegetable, Arugula (also called Rocket). Plants typically reach between 8 and 40 inches tall at maturity, and produce green lobed foliage and cream to white flowers with purple veins. Grow Arugula plants as members of vegetable gardens or containers, where their cut-and-come-again foliage can be harvested easily.

Eruca Species and Varietals

The genus Eruca includes six species of flowering plants and is a member of the family Brassicaceae. Plants in this species generally grow well in USDA hardiness zones 2-11, and are considered cool season annuals. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Eruca sativa (Arugula, Eruca, Rocket, Salad Rocket, Garden Rocket, Colewort, Roquette, Ruchetta, Rucola, Rucoli, Rugula)
This species is commonly cultivated as a leafy green in the garden, added to salads, appetizers, or as an edible garnish. Leaves have a bitter, fresh, tart, and peppery flavor. Plants reach between 8 and 40 inches tall. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Astro'
Popular and widely available variety. 30-40 DTM.

'Red Dragon'
With red-veined foliage and a robust, peppery taste.

'Selvatica'
Type of wild rocket that has a stronger flavor than domesticated varieties.

Caring for Eruca

Plant your Eruca, or Arugula, in a spot in the garden that receives full sun. Afternoon shade will prevent the leaves from taking on a bitter taste. These plants prefer rich soil amended with organic material or compost, and which has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. Ensure that soil is well-draining before planting to avoid issues with root rot or overwatering. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Mulch around the base of the plant to help retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged as these plants establish themselves in the landscape. Regular waterings are recommended, especially during dry spells, to prevent soil from drying out completely. Water from the base of the plant to avoid fungal disease issues. To prevent bolting, provide light shade in warmer weather and maintain consistent soil moisture.

These plants do not require heavy fertilization. Pruning is relatively simple; these shrubs have an upright habit, and should be harvested for their leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth and to prevent the plant from bolting (sending up flower stalks prematurely). Pinch off all flower buds from the plant as they appear to prolong the leaf harvest. In wintertime, these plants will die back to the ground. Plants can be pulled and composted at this time, or left in place to enrich the soil. Eruca plants are annuals, and to have multiple years of harvests will need to be re-sown every year.

Harvesting Eruca
Eruca plants are cut-and-come-again leafy greens that can be continuously harvested while they grow, up until they bolt and produce flowers. Microgreens can be harvested in just 10-14 days, and fully mature leaves are harvestable within 30-40 days from sowing seeds. For a bountiful, continuous harvest, succession-plant every few weeks. These plants can bolt quickly in warm weather, so seeds should be sown as early as possible in springtime. A second round of planting can happen in late summertime for a fall crop.

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Propagation

Eruca, or Arugula, plants are best propagated by harvesting and sowing seed. To propagate your Arugula plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Eruca by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds a few weeks after flowers have faded. The seed pods will feel dry and fall off the plant easily when they are ready. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them. Eruca seeds can remain viable for between 3 and 6 years after they have been harvested if they are stored correctly. For long-term storage, place them in a sealable container in a cool, dark, dry place.
Water a prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place seeds a quarter inch under the soil surface. Cover them lightly with soil and water with the spray bottle, making sure to not dislodge the seeds. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 5-10 days from sowing.
Keep the seedlings' potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with the spray bottle. Keep them in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed) or fall, when you can transplant them out to their new home in the garden
Alternatively, Arugula seeds can be direct-sown into the garden soil once soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Place seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows, and once seedlings emerge, thin to 6-12 inches apart.