Arugula
Eruca vesicaria
Also known asRocket · Roquette · Rucola · Italian cress · Garden rocket
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 3–11 (winter low around -40°C)
- Frost
- frost hardy
- Season
- cool (spring/fall)
Growing systems
Root mass: light.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwool (Mineral wool) | alkaline until pre-soaked | very high | low |
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Net pot, no medium (Bare-root) | - | - | - |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.6 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1.1 |
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
One of the fastest and easiest hydroponic leafy greens. EC 1.0-1.8 mS/cm. pH 6.0-7.0. Temperature: 10–22°C (cool-season crop; bolts rapidly above 24°C). Moderate light (DLI 12-18 mol/m2/day; excessive light accelerates bolting). Harvestable in 3-4 weeks from seed as baby leaves, 5-6 weeks for full-sized leaves. Works perfectly in NFT, DWC, vertical towers, and raft systems. Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. The fast growth cycle makes arugula one of the most productive salad crops by weight per square meter per year: 8-12 harvests annually in a temperature-controlled hydroponic system. Cut-and-come-again harvesting extends each planting's productive life. Flavor is best on younger leaves; mature leaves become increasingly bitter and peppery. Flea beetles can be a pest in open greenhouses; fine mesh exclusion netting prevents damage. Wild arugula (Diplotaxis) grows slower but is more heat-tolerant and produces for a longer period before bolting. For commercial hydroponic growers, arugula commands premium prices ($8-15/kg retail in salad mix) and turns over fast. A top-tier hydroponic crop. Arugula is also one of the fastest crops from seed to plate in aquaponics. The shallow root system and low nutrient demand mean it works well even in systems with moderate fish loading. Microgreen arugula (harvested at cotyledon stage, 7-10 days from seed) is another high-value option for hydroponic growers.