Wild arugula is a heat-tolerant alternative to arugula . It is native to the Mediterranean region and is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). It has escaped from cultivation and is found occasionally in disturbed areas in North America, but there are no records of this plant naturalizing in North Carolina. The species epithet means "narrow leaf," which is an apt description. This plant can grow in full sun or dappled shade. It prefers well-drained sandy soils but is not picky about soil type or pH and tolerates poor soils. The leaves are produced from spring to fall and can be harvested at any time. Seeds can be sown after the last frost. Protection from frost or intense summer heat is helpful. Although the plant is perennial, it can be grown as an annual. The yellow flowers appear in late summer and are also edible as are all parts of the plant. The green leaves have a strong peppery flavor and can be used in a mixed salad or lightly cooked. Use this plant in an edible garden or naturalized area. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Creeping; Erect; Multi-stemmed
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Smooth
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The narrow green leaves have a wedge-shaped base and narrow tip. They are alternate on the stem with lobed margins and the undersides may have hairs.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower detail
The yellow flowers will appear singly, in a spiral around the stem or in ranks. They have 4 petals, the style is knob-like at the tip and the anthers have narrow slits. The flowers attract syrphid flies (hoverflies), which are important pollinators.