When to Plant Rocket (Arugula) in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow March to October. Right now in September you can sow.

Also called arugula, rucola, roquette.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Rocket (Arugula) guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Rocket (Arugula)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Rocket is a fast-growing, peppery salad green available in two types: annual salad rocket (milder, bolt-prone) and wild/perennial rocket (stronger flavour, slower to bolt). Annual rocket matures in 4-6 weeks and self-seeds prolifically. Wild rocket is slower but more heat-tolerant and perennial in mild climates. Both are essential in salad gardens and among the easiest greens to grow in Australia.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - D D D D D D D D - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 5–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Rocket (Arugula) in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

February-September. Peak season April-August. Bolts from September. Wild rocket can persist into early summer with shade.

Soil
Well-drained soil with moderate organic matter. Not fussy about soil quality. Performs well in average garden soil.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun in cool weather. Part shade essential in warm weather to slow bolting and reduce bitterness.
Spacing
15cm apart, 25cm between rows
Watering
Regular watering to keep soil moist. Drought stress makes leaves intensely bitter and triggers bolting. Morning watering. Light, frequent irrigation best.

Companion plants: Lettuce, Tomato, Strawberry, Bean, Dill

Avoid planting near: No strong antagonists known

Subtropical Growing Tips for Rocket (Arugula)

Recommended Varieties

  • Annual rocket (Eruca sativa)
  • Wild rocket (Diplotaxis)
  • Wasabi rocket (stronger flavour)

Key Challenges

  • Bolts rapidly in spring warmth
  • Flea beetle in warm months
  • Bitterness increases as weather warms

Pro Tips

  • One of the easiest and most rewarding winter crops for SEQ
  • Succession sow every 2 weeks through autumn-winter
  • Wild rocket self-seeds and returns year after year in Dayboro conditions

Harvesting Rocket (Arugula)

When ready: Baby leaf: 8-10cm (3-4 weeks). Full size: 15-20cm (5-6 weeks). Leaves should be bright green and firm. Harvest before flower stalk appears for best flavour.

How to harvest: Cut-and-come-again: cut leaves 3cm above ground. Or pick individual outer leaves. Annual rocket gives 2-3 cuts before bolting. Wild rocket gives many more cuts.

Where to next

What rocket costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your rocket: Cabbage White Butterfly.

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Common Questions About Rocket (Arugula)

When do you plant rocket in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does rocket grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Mar to Oct. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

What else is rocket called?

Rocket is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it arugula, rucola, roquette. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.