Rocket Seeds

Why Grow Rocket?

Rocket Seeds for Different Growing Goals

Cultivated rocket and wild rocket provide different growing times, leaf shapes, flavours and production habits.

Cultivated Rocket vs Wild Rocket

Cultivated salad rocket and wild rocket are related leafy vegetables, but they are not the same plant.

What Is Rocket?

Rocket is a leafy vegetable in the brassica family. It is grown for tender green leaves with a characteristic peppery, mustard-like flavour.

Cultivated salad rocket belongs to the genus Eruca. Wild rocket belongs to the related genus Diplotaxis. Both are commonly used in salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pasta dishes and mixed leafy-green products.

Rocket may be harvested at several stages:

Is Arugula the Same as Rocket?

Yes. Arugula and rocket are common names for the same general group of peppery salad greens.

The word rocket is commonly used in Australia, the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. The word arugula is more common in the United States and Canada.

Both names can refer to cultivated salad rocket, while wild rocket may be identified separately as Sylvetta, perennial rocket or wild arugula.

Is Rocket a Lettuce?

Rocket is not a true lettuce. Lettuce belongs to the genus Lactuca, while rocket belongs to the brassica family and is related to mustard, radish, broccoli and cabbage.

Rocket is sometimes called rocket lettuce because it is eaten as a salad leaf. This describes how it is used rather than its botanical classification.

What Does Rocket Taste Like?

Rocket has a fresh peppery flavour with mustard-like, nutty and slightly bitter notes. Flavour intensity varies according to variety, leaf age and growing conditions.

How to Grow Rocket in Australia

Rocket is a fast-growing cool-season vegetable that performs best in fertile, free-draining soil with consistent moisture. It can be grown in full sun during mild weather or in partial shade as temperatures rise.

When to Plant Rocket in Australia

Rocket can be grown through much of the year in many Australian climates, although autumn, winter and spring generally provide the best leaf quality.

These planting periods are general guides. Local frost, elevation, rainfall, seasonal heat and irrigation availability should also be considered.

When to Plant Rocket in Australian States and Cities

Regional sowing periods should be adjusted according to local heat, frost and seasonal rainfall.

How to Grow Rocket from Seed

Rocket is generally direct-sown into beds, containers or production trays. It can also be raised in seedling cells and transplanted for wider-spaced mature plants.

1. Choose the intended harvest stage.
   Decide whether the crop will be grown for microgreens, baby leaf, mature foliage or repeated harvesting.
2. Prepare the soil or growing medium.
   Use a fertile, free-draining medium that remains evenly moist.
3. Sow the seeds shallowly.
   Plant approximately 3–5 mm deep and cover lightly.
4. Water gently.
   Moisten the seedbed without washing the fine seeds out of position.
5. Maintain even moisture.
   Do not allow the surface to dry completely during germination.
6. Thin or transplant seedlings.
   Adjust spacing according to whether baby leaves or mature plants are required.
7. Protect the foliage.
   Monitor for caterpillars, flea beetles, aphids, slugs and snails.
8. Harvest at the preferred stage.
   Cut baby leaves young or pick mature outer foliage while protecting the central crown.

How Deep Should Rocket Seeds Be Planted?

Plant rocket seeds approximately 3–5 mm deep. Cover them lightly with fine soil or seed-raising mix.

How Long Do Rocket Seeds Take to Germinate?

Rocket seeds commonly germinate within approximately 4–10 days under suitable conditions.

Can Rocket Seedlings Be Transplanted?

Yes. Rocket seedlings can be transplanted while young, although direct sowing is usually quicker and more efficient for baby leaf crops.

Raise individual seedlings in cells where mature plants or specific spacing are required. Transplant after several true leaves develop but before the roots become densely bound.

Water immediately after planting and protect the seedlings from severe heat while they establish.

How Far Apart Should Rocket Be Planted?

Spacing depends on whether rocket will be harvested as microgreens, baby leaf, small plants or mature rosettes.

How Long Does Rocket Take to Grow?

Rocket is one of the faster leafy vegetables. Cultivated rocket commonly reaches baby-leaf harvest within approximately 20–30 days, while mature leaves may require around 30–45 days.

Growing time varies with variety, temperature, light, fertility, water, plant density and preferred harvest size.

Is Rocket Cut-and-Come-Again?

Yes. Both cultivated and wild rocket can provide repeated harvests.

Remove individual outer leaves or cut the foliage several centimetres above the central crown. Leave the growing point and sufficient leaf area to support regrowth.

Repeated harvest performance depends on:

• Leaving the crown undamaged
• Maintaining consistent soil moisture
• Providing balanced fertility
• Harvesting before severe flowering
• Controlling leaf-eating pests
• Avoiding removal of all foliage

How to Harvest Rocket So It Keeps Growing

Harvest the largest outer leaves first and leave the small central leaves intact.

For a larger baby-leaf crop, cut across the row approximately 3–5 cm above the soil. The exact cutting height should leave the central growing points undamaged.

Use clean scissors or a sharp knife. Ragged cutting and torn crowns can slow regrowth and increase crop losses.

After harvesting:

• Water the plants if the soil is dry
• Remove damaged or diseased foliage
• Maintain balanced nutrition
• Allow new leaves to reach useful size before cutting again
• Replace plants once regrowth becomes weak or strongly flavoured

Growing Rocket in Pots and Containers

Rocket grows well in pots, window boxes, troughs and raised planters.

Can Rocket Be Grown Indoors?

Rocket can be grown indoors where it receives strong light, adequate airflow and suitable temperatures.

A bright window may support small crops, although insufficient light can cause long, pale and weak leaves. Supplemental horticultural lighting may be required where natural light is limited.

Indoor containers should have drainage and must not remain continually waterlogged.

For indoor growing:

• Use clean pots or trays
• Provide strong light for much of the day
• Maintain airflow around the foliage
• Avoid excessive plant density
• Water without leaving standing moisture
• Harvest young leaves regularly

Can Rocket Grow in Shade?

Rocket can tolerate partial shade and may benefit from afternoon protection as temperatures rise.

Full sun generally produces the strongest growth during cool weather. Light shade can delay flowering and help preserve tender leaves during warm conditions.

Deep shade may produce stretched plants, pale foliage and slower growth. Provide several hours of direct or strong filtered light each day.

Can Rocket Be Grown in Winter?

Yes. Rocket is well suited to winter production in many Australian regions.

Growth slows during cold weather, but leaf quality can remain high. In areas with severe frost, protect young plants with suitable crop covers or grow them in sheltered containers.

Winter rocket requires:

• Free-draining soil
• Good sunlight
• Protection from prolonged waterlogging
• Reduced watering compared with summer
• Additional time between sowing and harvest

Watering and Feeding Rocket

Rocket requires consistent moisture to maintain tender leaves and balanced flavour.

Allowing plants to wilt repeatedly can result in smaller leaves, premature flowering and stronger pepperiness.

Water deeply enough to moisten the active root zone, while avoiding permanently saturated soil.

Rocket generally benefits from:

• Fertile soil containing suitable organic matter
• Balanced nutrition during active leaf growth
• Moderate nitrogen rather than excessive feeding
• Regular watering during dry weather
• Mulch around widely spaced mature plants

Why Does Rocket Bolt?

Bolting occurs when the plant begins producing a flower stem rather than continuing leafy growth.

Common causes include:

To maintain tender leaves, sow new crops regularly rather than relying indefinitely on old plants.

Can Rocket Leaves Be Eaten After Flowering?

Rocket leaves remain edible after the plant begins flowering, but they generally become smaller, tougher and more strongly flavoured.

The flowers are also edible and provide a mild peppery or mustard-like taste.

Where the leaves become excessively bitter or coarse, allow the plants to flower for pollinators or mature for seed rather than continuing salad production.

When to Harvest Rocket

Rocket can be harvested once the leaves reach a useful size.

Baby leaves are commonly picked when approximately 5–10 cm long. Mature leaves can be harvested individually before they become tough or the plant begins heavy flowering.

Signs of harvest readiness include:

• Leaves have developed their characteristic lobed shape
• The foliage has reached the preferred market or culinary size
• Stems remain crisp and tender
• The plant has not begun producing a large flower stalk
• Flavour suits the intended use

How to Harvest Rocket Leaves

There are three common harvesting methods.

Harvest during the cooler part of the day where practical. Cool the leaves promptly after picking.

Can Rocket Leaves Be Eaten Raw?

Yes. Rocket is most commonly eaten raw when the leaves are young and tender.

Raw uses include:

Wash harvested foliage thoroughly and remove damaged, yellow or heavily soiled leaves.

Can Rocket Leaves Be Cooked?

Yes. Rocket can be cooked, although it wilts quickly and is generally added near the end of preparation.

Mature leaves are particularly suitable for cooking where their stronger flavour can complement other ingredients.

How to Use Rocket Leaves

Rocket can be used alone or combined with milder leaves.

Potential uses include:

• Fresh salads and mesclun mixes
• Sandwiches, burgers and wraps
• Pizza toppings
• Pasta and risotto
• Pesto and green sauces
• Soups and broths
• Egg dishes
• Fresh garnishes
• Light stir-fries and sautéed greens

Wild rocket has a stronger flavour and is often used in smaller quantities than cultivated salad rocket.

How to Store Rocket Leaves

Rocket is a delicate leafy vegetable and should be cooled soon after harvest.

Remove damaged leaves and excess surface moisture before storage.

For household storage:

• Protect leaves from crushing
• Refrigerate promptly
• Use a suitable produce bag or sealed container
• Include absorbent paper where excess moisture is present
• Wash shortly before use where practical
• Discard foliage that becomes slimy or develops an unpleasant smell

Rocket is best used while the leaves remain crisp and fresh.

Can Rocket Leaves Be Frozen?

Rocket can be frozen for cooked uses, but freezing destroys the crisp salad texture.

For longer storage, rocket may be processed into pesto or briefly blanched before freezing using a suitable method.

Frozen rocket is best used in:

• Soups
• Sauces
• Pasta dishes
• Purees
• Cooked egg dishes

Rocket for Baby Leaf and Microgreen Production

Rocket can be grown as both a microgreen and a baby-leaf crop, but the production systems differ.

Common Rocket Growing Problems

How to Protect Rocket from Pests

Rocket can attract flea beetles, cabbage white butterfly caterpillars, cabbage moth larvae, aphids, slugs and snails.

Management options include:

• Covering crops with fine insect netting
• Inspecting the undersides of leaves regularly
• Removing damaged leaves and visible caterpillars
• Protecting young seedlings from slugs and snails
• Maintaining adequate spacing and airflow
• Rotating brassica crops where possible
• Using only legally registered crop-protection products according to their labels

What to Plant with Rocket

Rocket can share beds with crops that prefer similar cool-season conditions and regular moisture.

Potential neighbouring crops include:

• Lettuce and other salad greens
• Spring onions and onions
• Radish
• Beetroot
• Carrots where adequate spacing is maintained
• Peas
• Coriander and other cool-season herbs
• Tomatoes where rocket is harvested before heavy shading develops

Rocket can be planted between slower-growing vegetables and harvested before neighbouring crops require the full space.

How to Save Rocket Seeds

Seed may be saved from suitable open-pollinated rocket varieties.

Allow healthy plants to flower and develop elongated seed pods. Leave the pods until they become dry and pale but collect them before they split and scatter seed.

1. Select healthy plants.
   Choose vigorous specimens with desirable leaf shape and flavour.
2. Allow flowering.
   Stop harvesting heavily and permit flower stems to develop.
3. Wait for seed pods.
   Allow the pods to mature and begin drying on the plant.
4. Collect before shattering.
   Cut dry stems into a paper bag or container.
5. Separate the seeds.
   Crush or rub the dry pods and remove the plant debris.
6. Dry thoroughly.
   Store only after the seed contains no residual moisture.
7. Label the seed.
   Record the variety and harvest year.

Cultivated rocket and wild rocket belong to different genera, but nearby varieties of the same compatible type may cross where seed purity is required.

Packet and Bulk Rocket Seeds

Important Considerations for Commercial Growers

Commercial rocket production requires seed and planting systems suited to the intended leaf size, flavour, harvest method and customer specification.

Frequently Asked Questions