Everything You Need to Know About Arugula — Care, Propagation & More
Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Rocket — from seed to salad bowl.
What Can You Eat?
Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.
Arugula is a favorite in Metro Manila's health-conscious cafe scene, used in fresh salads, as a pizza topping after baking, in gourmet sandwiches, and mixed into pasta dishes. Its peppery bite adds depth to grain bowls and wraps popular in BGC and Makati restaurants.
Once considered exotic, arugula is now grown by urban farmers across Metro Manila supplying restaurants and weekend markets. Its fast growth cycle (as little as 21 days for baby leaves) makes it ideal for balcony microgreens setups and small-space container gardens.
Germination Guide
From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.
Planting Instructions
Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.
Propagation Methods
Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from seeds to cuttings.
Care Guide
Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.
Partial shade to full sun (4-6 hours); afternoon shade recommended in the Philippines
Regular; keep soil evenly moist. Drought stress causes bitter leaves and early bolting.
Compost at planting; light side-dressing of vermicast every 2 weeks
15-24°C ideal; bolts above 28°C
50-70%; good air circulation prevents downy mildew
Mulch lightly with rice straw to keep roots cool and retain moisture.
Harvest Guide
Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.
Baby leaves at 5-8 cm are mildest in flavor. Full-sized leaves at 10-15 cm have more peppery bite. Harvest before flower buds appear.
Pick outer leaves first, leaving the center to continue producing. Use cut-and-come-again method for multiple harvests from one sowing.
Common Problems & Solutions
Spot issues early and fix them fast.
Premature bolting
Cause: Heat stress above 28°C or drought stress
Solution: Plant during cool season only. Provide afternoon shade. Keep soil consistently moist. Succession sow for continuous supply.
Flea beetle holes
Cause: Tiny black beetles that create small round holes in leaves
Solution: Use floating row covers. Spray with neem oil. Interplant with companion plants that repel flea beetles.
Bitter or very spicy leaves
Cause: Heat stress, drought, or mature/old leaves
Solution: Harvest leaves young. Keep well-watered. Grow in partial shade during warmer months.
Downy mildew (yellow patches)
Cause: High humidity with poor air circulation
Solution: Space plants adequately. Water at soil level, not on leaves. Ensure good airflow around containers.
Perfect Plant Partners
Plants that grow well together.