Size Matters: Choosing the Right Arugula Plant for Your Landscape

Arugula is a versatile leafy green that can add flavor and nutrition to salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, and more. Its peppery bite and herbaceous aroma make it a favorite for home chefs and gardeners alike. When planting arugula in your landscape or garden, it’s important to choose the right variety to suit your needs. The size of the plant, leaf shape, bolt resistance, and flavor profile should all factor into your decision. In this article, we’ll go over the key considerations for selecting the perfect arugula for your unique growing conditions and taste preferences.

Plant Size

Arugula varieties can range in size from just 6 inches tall to over 2 feet tall when fully mature. Think about the space you have available when choosing your arugula type.

• Small varieties like ‘Astro’ and ‘Runway’ are perfect for planting in containers or tucked into ornamental beds. Their petite size, reaching just 6-12 inches, makes them ideal for urban and patio gardens with limited space.

• Medium varieties like ‘Roquette’ and ‘Rocket’ grow 12-18 inches tall. These are a great choice if you want to plant arugula in a dedicated bed or raised garden with other greens and lettuces

• Large varieties like ‘Sylvetta’ and ‘Ice-Bred’ can grow up to 2 feet or more. Go for these if you have plenty of room and want to harvest lots of leaves. The larger plants tolerate heat better too.

Consider your overall landscape design and space limitations before selecting an arugula variety to ensure it will fit nicely into your existing layout. The lush lobed leaves of arugula look beautiful interplanted with ornamentals as well.

Leaf Shape and Texture

Arugula leaves come in a range of shapes from highly serrated and spiky to smooth and rounded The leaf texture impacts the look and slightly alters the flavor,

• Serrated varieties like ‘Runway’ and ‘Selvatica’ have very jagged, spiky leaves.

• Smooth varieties like ‘Sylvetta’ and ‘Ice-Bred’ have more rounded, lobed leaves.

• Curly varieties like ‘Surge’ have ruffled, crimped leaves for added visual interest.

If you plan to harvest baby greens, you may prefer smooth or mildly serrated leaves that are more tender when young. For full size mature greens, any texture works well but the spicier serrated types pack an extra peppery bite.

Bolt Resistance

Bolting is when the arugula plant rapidly shoots up a flower stalk and goes to seed. It usually occurs in summer heat or if the plant gets stressed. Bolted arugula has a bitter, unpalatable flavor. Seeking out slow bolting varieties can extend your harvest window.

• ‘Runway’ and ‘Astro’ are bred to be slow bolting so they can withstand heat and last longer before flowering.

• ‘Roquette’ and ‘Sylvetta’ bolt more quickly in high temperatures or long days.

• Look for “slow bolting” or “heat tolerant” on the seed packet when choosing varieties to plant in warmer climates.

Growing arugula in the shade or partial sun can also deter early bolting. Providing consistent moisture and nutrients keeps plants happy and delays flowering as well.

Flavor Profile

The flavor of arugula ranges from mild and nutty to sharp and pungent depending on the particular variety. Consider how you plan to eat the leaves when selecting your arugula type.

• Milder varieties like ‘Astro’ and ‘Runway’ are perfect for fresh salads and sandwiches.

• Spicier types like ‘Roquette’ and ‘Dragon’s Tongue’ add a kicks to pizzas, pastas, and pestos.

• Unique varieties like ‘Sylvetta’ offer flavors like fennel, while ‘Wasabi’ has a horseradish bite.

Taste test different arugulas to discover your favorites. The season also impacts flavor, with summer-grown leaves often more pungent than cool weather crops.

Growing Conditions

When choosing an arugula variety, always consider your local growing conditions as well.

• Some cultivars are bred for heat tolerance, making them a good choice for hot summer plantings. ‘Astro’ and ‘Runway’ are heat-tolerant options.

• Winter-hardy varieties like ‘Ice-Bred’ and ‘Northern Sea’ withstand frosts and colder temperatures.

• Slow-bolting types will last longer for gardeners in climates with hot summers.

• Wild arugula varieties tend to be more drought-tolerant once established.

Selecting an arugula variety suited to your area’s conditions will give you the best chance of success. Reading the plant tag or seed packet to understand the variety’s unique traits and needs is advised.

Ornamental Appeal

In addition to harvesting leaves for culinary use, arugula makes a beautiful, edible addition to ornamental beds and containers. Its lobed green leaves provide color and texture contrast.

• Look for unique varieties like ‘Dragon’s Tongue’ with purple veining or ‘Romanesco’ with lime green leaves for added visual pop.

• The fern-like leaves and pale flowers of arugula look lovely among blooming perennials and shrubs.

• Let some plants bolt and enjoy the spikes of white flowers that attract pollinators to your garden.

Planting Time

Arugula is a fast-growing annual (or biennial in cold climates) that can be planted in spring, summer, and fall. Select varieties based on the best planting time for your climate.

• Plant heat-tolerant and slow-bolting types for summer harvests.

• Choose cold-hardy, frost-tolerant cultivars for fall and winter plantings.

• Time spring sowings so that plants mature before the arrival of hot weather.

Consulting a planting calendar for your zone will help determine optimal planting times. Choosing the right varieties for each season will maximize your yields and enjoyment.

Days to Maturity

Arugula is a quick crop, typically ready to harvest just 30-50 days from sowing seed. When reviewing different varieties, check the “days to maturity” and factor it into your planting schedule.

• Baby leaf types mature quickly, in just 20-30 days.

• Full size varieties take 35-50 days to reach maturity.

• Slower growing heirlooms may require 50 or more days before harvest.

Faster-maturing arugulas allow you to enjoy fresh greens sooner. But slower developing types ultimately produce larger plants and higher yields.

Resistance to Pests and Disease

Certain arugula varieties have improved resistance to common diseases like downy mildew and fusarium wilt. Choosing these can reduce losses in the garden.

• Look for cultivars labeled as “DMR” (downy mildew resistant) or “FW” (fusarium wilt resistant).

• Hybrids like ‘Roquette’ tend to have better genetic resistance than heirlooms.

• Rotate planting sites each season to reduce disease pressure in the soil.

While no arugula is 100% disease-proof, starting with resistant varieties gives your crop a head start against potential issues.

Seed Availability

When selecting among arugula varieties, be sure to look for ones that are available as seed packets or starter plants at your local garden center or nursery.

• Common large seed brands like Burpee, Ferry-Morse, and Renee’s Garden offer several classic arugula cultivars.

• Check with regional seed companies for varieties suited to your area.

• Time seed ordering so that packets arrive in time for your desired planting dates.

If you can’t find seeds or transplants at local retailers, there are many online sources for securing even rare heirloom varieties of arugula.

Plant Origin

The origins of different arugula varieties can provide hints to their traits and ideal growing conditions.

• Italian arugulas like ‘Roquette’ thrive in Mediterranean climates with mild winters.

• Wild arugula types are more heat and drought tolerant.

• Hybrids and modern cultivars are often bred for cooler northern regions.

Selecting an arugula variety aligned with your climate and region typically results in better performance. Check plant tags for notes on origins.

Plant Height

We’ve already discussed the importance of selecting short, medium, or tall arugula varieties based on available space. But it’s worth reiterating that plant height is a key factor in choosing the right arugula for your garden layout and design.

• Dwarf types grow just 6-12 inches tall, perfect for containers.

• Medium height varieties can reach 12-18 inches, suitable for interplanting with other greens.

• Tall arugula grows 18 inches or more, best for dedicated crop rows.

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