Planting and care
How to grow arugula
When to grow
Cool season · Annual
How to start
Direct seed or transplant
Mature size
6–36 in depending crop
Time to harvest
Baby leaves: 20–25 days from seed; larger leaves: 30–45 days.
Feeding needs
Light feeder
Growth habit
Leafy Compact
How to prune
Clip damaged leaves and remove flower stalks to extend leafy growth briefly. Once leaves become too pungent or bitter, replace the crop.
How to harvest
Snip outer leaves at 3–6 inches, leaving the center. Alternatively shear young plants about 1–2 inches above soil for another flush if crowns remain healthy.
Harvest and kitchen use
Salads, sautés, wraps or cooked greens depending crop
Nutrition and garden value
Leafy greens provide folate and vitamins A/K; nutrient profile varies by crop
Space-efficient; many tolerate shoulder seasons and succession planting
Common challenges and troubleshooting
Heat bolting, slugs, flea beetles or leaf miners depending crop