Botanical profile

Wasabi arugula

Latin name
Diplotaxis erucoides 'Wasabi'
Common name
Wasabi arugula
Type
Edible annual
Family
Brassicaceae

Wasabi arugula is a unique annual vegetable plant, appreciated for its green foliage with a very strong, fresh, and pungent taste, reminiscent of classic arugula with a livelier note inspired by wasabi. It is ideal for gardeners looking for a different leafy green that can add a lot of character to salads, sandwiches, pizzas, meal bowls, tartines, homemade sushi, fresh sauces, and garnishes. Its cut foliage integrates very well into vegetable gardens, edible planters, window boxes, and patio containers.

Easy to grow, wasabi arugula prefers a location in soft sun or partial shade, in fertile, fresh, and well-drained soil. It grows quickly and appreciates regular watering to keep its leaves tender, flavorful, and less bitter. Like many arugula varieties, it can bolt more quickly when the heat becomes intense, so it is recommended to grow it in spring, late summer, or in successive sowings to extend the harvest. Young leaves offer a more balanced flavor, while mature leaves develop a more powerful taste.

Both productive, original, and very versatile in the kitchen, wasabi arugula is perfect for enriching a gourmet garden with a quick and personality-filled harvest. Its pungent taste allows for adding a spicy touch to dishes without needing to use a large quantity. It is an excellent plant for urban vegetable gardens, container cultivation, and edible landscaping where one wishes to integrate tasty, decorative, and easy-to-harvest leafy greens.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Piquant, wasabi-like flavour, ideal for salads and garnishes
Vegetable garden, salad, balcony, container, creative cooking, edible garden
Container growing
Excellent in containers with good drainage
Seasonal care
Harvest young leaves regularly; sow every 2 to 3 weeks; protect from excessive heat to prevent bolting
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Humidity
Average humidity; prefers cool soil
Fertilization
Compost at sowing; light fertilization after harvests
Soil type
Fertile, light, fresh, and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
32 °F
Propagation method
No-till farming
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer is in full bloom
Flower color
Creamy white to pale yellow
Fruiting
Seeds in pods at the end of the season
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Rosette leaf habit
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 inches)
Width
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Lettuce, radishes, carrots, onions
Plants to avoid
None known
Spacing
15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches)
Harvest period
June to September
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.