How to Grow Arugula from Seed: A Quick and Easy Win for Beginner Gardeners
Growing Arugula from Seed
If you’re new to gardening and looking for a quick-growing, confidence-boosting crop, arugula might just be the perfect fit. This leafy green herb packs a peppery punch in salads and sandwiches, and it’s one of the easiest plants to grow from seed. Whether you’re gardening in early spring or fall, arugula thrives in cool weather, and you can enjoy fresh, homegrown greens in just a few weeks.
Let me walk you through how to grow arugula from seed, share a few tricks, and hopefully leave you feeling like a pro.
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Ideal Growing Conditions for Arugula
Arugula is a cool-weather lover, which means it grows best in the cooler parts of the gardening year—think early spring and fall.
If you try to grow it during the heat of summer, you’ll find that it bolts (goes to seed) quickly, leaving you with bitter leaves and a plant that's focused more on reproduction than producing tasty greens.
So, to avoid disappointment, plan to plant your arugula when temperatures are consistently between 45-65°F. This way, you'll get lush leaves and avoid early bolting.
Arugula seeds I planted.
Here is a picture of arugula seeds. They are extremely tiny.
Planting Arugula from Seed
One of the best things about arugula is how fast it grows hence its nickname Rocket. From seed to harvest, it can be ready to eat in as little as 3-4 weeks. Here's how to plant it:
Choose your location: Arugula does best in full sun to partial shade. If you’re planting in the warmer months of fall, a little shade can help keep the temperatures cool enough to prevent bolting.
Prepare the soil: Arugula isn’t too fussy about soil, but it does prefer well-draining, loose soil that's rich in organic matter. If you want to give it an extra boost, mix in some compost before planting.
Sow the seeds: Sprinkle arugula seeds directly into the soil about ¼ inch deep and 1-2 inches apart. You can either plant in rows or scatter them more freely, depending on the look you're going for. Cover lightly with soil and water gently. Within a few days to a week, you should see tiny sprouts poking through.
Thin the seedlings: When the seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them out to about 6 inches apart. Don’t toss those thinnings! Arugula micro greens are nutritional powerhouses and make a great addition to salads.
This is what arugula looks like when it begins to sprout. Don't confuse it for a weed, they are so small at first.
What Arugula Looks Like as It Grows
When arugula first sprouts, you might mistake it for a weed. The leaves are small and rounded at first, then they start to develop the jagged, lobed shape that arugula is known for. Don’t worry if it looks a bit wild—arugula has a slightly scraggly growth habit, but that’s part of its charm. Within a few weeks, you’ll have enough leafy greens to harvest. Once you are ready make to read how to harvest arugula for a continuous supply.
Larger leaves emerge and these are lobed shaped.
It grows quickly and before you know it you will have a lot of arugula leaves growing.
Mature arugula leaves.
Why Arugula is Great for Beginner Gardeners
There’s a reason I recommend arugula to new gardeners: it’s almost foolproof. It grows quickly, requires little maintenance, and rewards you with tasty results in no time. And even if you don’t have perfect conditions, arugula tends to be forgiving. If you’ve had trouble with plants before, arugula gives you a win and builds your confidence for more challenging crops down the road.
RELATED: Rocket to Success: The Best Arugula Companion Plants
Final Tips for Success
Water regularly: Arugula likes consistent moisture, especially in the early stages. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Mulch to cool the soil: If temperatures are warming up, add a layer of mulch to help keep the soil cool and reduce evaporation.
Fertilize lightly: Since arugula is a fast grower, it doesn’t need much fertilizing. However, a light application of balanced fertilizer or compost tea can keep it happy.
In short, arugula is one of the easiest plants to grow, and it’s perfect for beginners looking to gain a little gardening confidence. With its quick growth and cool-season hardiness, you’ll be enjoying fresh, peppery greens in no time. So grab a packet of seeds, and get growing!
