Kitchen Garden Forum

Can anybody tell me the difference between Salad Rocket and Wild Rocket? I've just read that wild rocket is a perennial and comes up every year and would like to understand more about this as it's a favourite salad in our house. If I thought I could leave some permanently growing I would be delighted. I know marjoram/oregano grows both wild and domestically. Should I be looking out for rocket seeds which specifically state they are Wild Rocket, rather than just the apparentljy ordinary salad variety?

Hi Primrose

Here goes - lecture coming up

The confusion comes from the use of the word rocket.
Salad rocket (rochetta, roquette, arugula – latin name Eruca sativa) is a crucifer closely related to brassicas. It is a short season annual and rapidly runs to seed in summer.

Wild rocket (species of Diplotaxis) is also a crucifer related to brassicas. It is a very hardy perennial. Though outside it will probably die down and disappear over winter, it will shoot up from its roots in spring. It, too, will go to seed in summer – the yellow flowers have the most wonderful scent. If you keep cutting it flowering might be delayed.

Warned you it was a lecture; once a teacher, always a teacher

Alan - thank heavens for our teachers! I take the view that one is never too old to learn. Now that you've confirmed that it's a perennial I think I'll definitely get some seeds and get sowing. I suspect that because it dies back over winter I'd assumed that it was an annual.
I did have some salad rocket sown in a sheltered trough which survived all winter up against the house wall, so was really quite confused about its general hardiness. Thanks for the info.

Primrose

Despite what I said about salad rocket being annual, if sown late enough it will usually overwinter and keep producing until it goes to seed the following spring.
Best of luck with the wild rocket. It is easy to germinate and grow.

Alan

With me, Wild Rocket will continue to grow through the Winter given cloche protection.