The Spicy Flavor of Arugula

Eruca vesicaria & Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Family: Brassicaceae
COOL SEASON ANNUAL GREEN

Arugula is a favored leafy green of the cool season garden. With a distinct peppery flavor, arugula is known for its spicy, sharp bite. The green's flavor may vary depending on its maturity and variety. There are two species of plants referred to as arugula: the more wild plant with finely divided leaves is Diplotaxis tenuifolia. It has a strong flavor and is a tough plant that can often make it even through summer in Arizona. The other, and more commonly grown and domesticated species is Eruca vesicaria. There are many selections of the second species that vary in leaf shape and spice level.

HISTORY

Arugula is believed to be native temperate regions of the Mediterranean in Southern Europe and has been growing wild since ancient times. The plant's first written record dates back to the 1st century CE, and the spicy greens were widely used in Ancient Egyptian and Roman empires. Arugula was once believed to be an aphrodisiac, used in combination with lavender as a love potion to awaken the mind and body. Over time the plant spread around Europe, and with colonialism, around the world. It found its way into the cuisine of the various places it now grows.

USES

Arugula is most often used raw in salads. But it is also sometimes lightly cooked and holds up to dishes with a lot of flavor, often found in pizza. Arugula is also sometimes an ingredient in pesto, in addition to, or as a substitute for, basil.

Here is a list of 31 creative recipes for arugula.

PRESERVATION

Perhaps the best way to preserve arugula is as a pesto, which can be frozen and stored for some time in the freezer.

GROWING

SEASON & PLANTING
Arugula is a cool season herb which is planted in fall—depending on how hot the year is, that can be as early as late August. You can start plants from seed or from vegetable starts. Plants can be planted fairly close together, though the more crowded plants are, the more likely they will bolt in warmer weather.

SOIL & NUTRITION
Arugula is best planted in amended garden soil. Feeding occasionally with a general purpose, organic fertilizer will keep plants healthy and postpone bolting (when plants start flowering). Though, unlike plants like lettuce or cilantro, arugula can keep living after flowering and some varieties can even make it through summer, especially the more wild types of arugula.

TEMPERATURE & SUN EXPOSURE
During the colder parts of the winter, the foliage may turn purplish or reddish, which is normal and no sign of any problem (many plants turn reddish caused by chemicals called anthocyanins which helps protect the cells from freezing, and also have many health benefits). In most areas of our region there is no need for frost protection since they can survive temperatures into the single digits °F. Full to part sun is best (avoid reflective heat). Though the more wild types can persist and make it through summer, they won’t be quite as tasty during that time, but as soon as fall rolls back around, they will become lusher and more edible again.

WATER
Keep plants moderately watered. If they experience long periods of relative dryness they can be caused to prematurely bolt.

HARVESTING
Pick as needed. As with most greens, you can pick the outer leaves, leaving the plant to continue growing and providing more. Plants that are allowed to flower will have a bit more spice to them. Allowing flowering will also ensure more plants as they will reseed in the garden. Many people don’t need to plant arugula, as it returns each year from the seed bank of the previous season.

WILDLIFE
As with most of our domestic crops, most mammals and even sometimes birds may nibble on plants. The first butterflies of the season that come through the area rely on plants in the Brassicaceae for nectar, and some, like the desert orangetip (Anthocharis cethura) can use the plant as a larval host.

INVASIVENESS
Arugula has naturalized in some spots around the southwest but has not become invasive. Plants that “naturalize” as opposed to being “invasive” usually only occupy already disturbed soils, and don’t break into established ecologies. What is more, arugula provides for wildlife.

POPULAR SELECTIONS

Arugula, being a Mediterranean species, does very well here. The more wild types are more likely to perennialize if that is your aim.

Eruca vesicaria is the most standard species from which many selections occur.

Diplotaxis tenuifolia is mostly found in its wild form, fewer selections of this species are available. It is the most likely to perennialize of the two species, though some selections of the other species perennialize.

‘Dimeglio’ is a selection of Eruca vesicaria that we especially love as it was a variety a late friend of our, JD Dimeglio, donated to Native Seeds/SEARCH—it was a variety his family had brought to Arizona from Italy and was grown for generations. The ‘Dimeglio’ selection can perennialize here in southern Arizona.

*always be open to new varieties of vegetables and herbs for our region—new selections and ancient heirlooms that work for us in our region are constantly appearing on the market. Only beware of unknown varieties if one is buying from seed companies from other regions, or if a variety is being offered by a corporate chain or nursery that buys from giant wholesalers that ignore regional differences.