Arugula Planting Guide
Arugula is a fast-growing cool-season green with a peppery, nutty flavor. It is excellent in salads and can be harvested as baby greens or mature leaves.
Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa · Vegetable · Brassicaceae family · 30–50 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Arugula Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Arugula?
Arugula Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Arugula planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Jun 14 – Aug 16 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jun 10 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jun 5 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | May 30 – Aug 1 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | May 23 – Jul 25 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | May 15 – Jul 17 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 8 – Jul 10 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | Apr 29 – Jul 1 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | Apr 22 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Jun 14 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Jun 3 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | Mar 17 – May 19 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Mar 1 – May 3 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Apr 9 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Apr 9 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Apr 9 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 5 – Apr 9 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Transplant shows "—" because Arugula is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Arugula
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
30–50 days
One of the fastest crops — harvest in under a month!
👪 Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Brassicaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Arugula
Arugula matures in just 30–50 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 7 successive plantings by sowing every 3.4 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Arugula
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Arugula
Sow seeds directly every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather to prevent bolting. Harvest outer leaves first to extend production.
Saving Arugula Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Arugula by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Arugula?
Arugula (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa) takes 30 to 50 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Arugula grow in?
Arugula can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Arugula need?
Growing Arugula requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.