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Diplotaxis spp.

wall-rockets

Brassicaceae

Europe, Mediterranean, North Africa, western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–10

Overview

Diplotaxis spp. is a genus of about 30 species of annual and perennial herbs in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and western Asia. Plants grow 8 in to 3 ft (20-90 cm) tall, forming basal rosettes of pinnately lobed, often toothed leaves with a peppery scent and taste. The four-petaled flowers are usually yellow, sometimes white or pale violet, 0.3-0.6 in (8-15 mm) across, borne in loose clusters that lengthen as the slender seed pods form. D. tenuifolia, perennial wall-rocket, and D. muralis, annual wall-rocket, are grown as the salad green sold as wild rocket or arugula, with a sharper flavor than Eruca spp. arugula. Several species colonize walls, roadsides, railway ballast, and disturbed ground, and some have naturalized far outside their native range. Plants flower over a long season and self-seed freely. The peppery leaves turn more pungent and bitter as plants bolt and flower in heat.

Native Range

Diplotaxis spp. is native to Europe, the Mediterranean basin, North Africa, and western and central Asia. The greatest diversity is around the Mediterranean. Several species have naturalized in North America, Australia, and other temperate regions as weeds of disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable and herb gardens as a peppery salad and cooking green, and in containers for cut-and-come-again harvests. The flowers draw bees and hoverflies in pollinator plantings. Tolerant of poor soil, the plants fill dry, sunny gaps where richer crops struggle.

How to Identify

Look for rosettes of pinnately lobed, peppery-smelling leaves and four-petaled yellow flowers held in loose, elongating clusters. The slender seed pods hold seeds in two rows per chamber, the feature behind the name Diplotaxis. The sharp, mustard-like scent of crushed foliage helps separate it from similar yellow-flowered crucifers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 3'

Width/Spread8" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~24 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Flowering runs over a long period from spring through autumn, generally April to October, and nearly year-round in mild climates. Plants bloom and set seed continuously through the warm season. Bees and other small insects visit the flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, sometimes white or pale violet

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

6-8 weeks to harvest

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun and well-drained soil of low to moderate fertility with a pH near 6.0 to 7.5, and tolerate poor, dry, and stony ground. Seed is sown in spring or autumn, and leaves are harvested young before flowering, when the flavor is mildest. Hot, dry conditions cause rapid bolting and stronger, more bitter foliage. Plants withstand drought once established and need little feeding. Self-sown seedlings appear readily in open soil.

Pruning

Repeated cutting of young leaves delays bolting and extends the harvest. Flower stems are removed to slow self-seeding where the plant is not wanted as a reseeder. Perennial species are sheared back after flowering to renew fresh basal growth.