Short answer: don't soak arugula seed. Mist a damp paper towel, grow mat or thin layer of soil, sprinkle the dry seed thinly over it and mist again. Keep it loosely covered and mist twice a day. Eat the sprouts at 4 to 5 days, or give the tray light and cut arugula microgreens at 8 to 12 days.
What are arugula sprouts?
Arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa), also called rocket, is a peppery salad green in the cabbage family. Its sprouts and microgreens have the same nutty, peppery taste as the mature leaves, just softer.
Arugula is a lightly gel-forming seed. When it gets wet, each seed forms a thin, sticky coat. That makes it clump in a jar, so it's best grown on a flat, damp surface like basil and cress.
Arugula varieties
| Variety | Taste | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arugula (rocket) | Nutty, peppery | The classic |
| Rocky wild arugula | Stronger, more peppery | Thin, sharply notched leaves |
Sprouting.com gives arugula 4 to 5 days as a sprout and 8 to 12 days as a microgreen, with no soak.1
How to grow arugula sprouts, day by day
- Day0
Prepare a damp surface
Line a plate or tray with a damp paper towel or grow mat, or use a thin layer of moist soil for microgreens.
- Day0
Sprinkle dry seed
Scatter the seed thinly and evenly. Mist well so the gel forms and the seed sticks.
- Day0–3
Cover and mist twice a day
Keep it loosely covered and mist morning and evening. Tip off any pooled water.
- Day4–5
Harvest sprouts
When the seed leaves open, cut or lift the sprouts. Rinse gently and eat them soon.
- Day5–12
Or grow on for microgreens
Uncover, give bright light and water from below. Cut above the roots at 8 to 12 days.
For more on growing arugula in a tray, including how light changes the flavour, see our arugula microgreens guide.
Safety
Arugula sprouts are eaten whole, like other sprouts. The FDA says higher-risk groups should not eat raw sprouts, and Health Canada advises everyone to cook them.23 Microgreens are cut above the roots, which lowers the risk. Grow them on clean surfaces and refrigerate promptly.
Problems and fixes
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Clumped, moldy seed | Sown too thick or soaked | Don't soak. Sow thinly and mist |
| Dried out seed | Gel dried up | Keep it loosely covered and mist twice a day |
| Too peppery | Grown long or in strong light | Harvest earlier |
| Leggy microgreens | Too little light | Give bright light once they're up |
How to eat arugula sprouts
- Salads: mix them with milder greens.
- Pizza and flatbreads: scatter them on after baking.
- Sandwiches: a peppery layer in place of lettuce.
- Pasta: stir them in at the end.
See microgreen mixes and microgreens salad ideas.
Where to buy arugula seed
We link to Sprouting.com, a Canadian company that sells arugula and rocky wild arugula for sprouts and microgreens. Stock varies by variety, so check the product page. Arugula is also part of their spicy microgreen blend. Store seed in a cool, dry place.
What to grow next
- Mustard: even more heat.
- Curly cress: fast and peppery on a plate.
- Radish: spicy and easy.
- Basil: a sweet herb grown the same way.
Browse every seed in the Seed Library.
Recipes with arugula
Arugula FAQ
Should I soak arugula seeds?
No. Arugula seed forms a sticky gel when wet, a lot like cress and basil. Soaked seed clumps together and is hard to spread. Sprinkle the dry seed on a damp surface and mist it.
How long do arugula sprouts take?
Arugula sprouts are ready in about 4 to 5 days. As microgreens in a tray with light, arugula takes 8 to 12 days.
Can you grow arugula sprouts in a jar?
It's tricky. The gel coating makes arugula clump in a jar. It grows much better spread thinly on a plate, a tray or a clay sprouter and misted.
Why do my arugula microgreens taste so strong?
Arugula gets more peppery as it grows, and strong light and warmth also add heat. Harvest a little earlier for a milder taste, or mix it with sweeter greens like pea shoots.
What's the difference between arugula and wild arugula?
Wild arugula (Diplotaxis) has thinner, more sharply notched leaves and a stronger, more peppery taste. Regular arugula, or rocket, is a little milder and nuttier. Both grow the same way as microgreens.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
