Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
Salad rocket, Rocket, Rocquette, Arugula
Also known as Eruca sativa
- Height × spread
- 0.8m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Used for salads where it is often sown in the autumn and harvested over the winter months. Often seeds are planted twice yearly, in April and then again in August. The plant is also occasionally used as an ornamental since it sends up long slender flowering stems with four petalled white, dark-eyed flowers. The individual petals have slim bases and are somewhat spoon-shaped. Close examination reveals a pale purple central vein on the lower portion of each petal. The oil taken from the seeds is said to have aphrodisiac qualities, though unclear as to method of application. Old recipes refer to uses as a cough medicine when combined with sugar syrup and cumin seeds. It is generally grown as an annual, but it is really a short-lived perennial. The flowers are said to have a fragrance that is apparent during the evening.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.