Description

Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), known in Italian as Rucola Selvatica, is a popular Mediterranean leafy vegetable prized for its narrow, deeply lobed green leaves and distinctive peppery flavour. More intensely flavoured than traditional salad rocket, this hardy perennial produces tender, aromatic foliage and small yellow flowers that attract pollinators.

Perfect for fresh salads, pizzas, sandwiches, pasta dishes and Mediterranean recipes, Wild Rocket adds a delicious, spicy flavour to everyday meals. Its excellent regrowth after cutting makes it a productive choice for home vegetable gardens and balcony planters.

🌱 Growing Instructions

☀️ Sunlight: Prefers 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Benefits from partial afternoon shade during Malta’s hot summer months.

💧 Watering: Water regularly, keeping soil lightly moist but not waterlogged. Established plants tolerate some drought, but consistent watering produces more tender, less bitter leaves.

🌱 Soil: Plant in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter.

🌡️ Temperature: Grows best between 10°C–25°C. Tolerates Malta’s mild winters and warmer temperatures, although excessive heat can make the leaves more pungent.

📏 Spacing: Allow approximately 15–20 cm between plants for healthy leaf development and good air circulation.

🌾 Fertilizer: Apply a balanced organic or vegetable fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during active growth, following product instructions.

✂️ Harvesting: Pick individual leaves or cut foliage approximately 5 cm above the soil, leaving the growing crown intact. Young leaves can generally be harvested 30–45 days after transplanting. Regular harvesting encourages fresh growth.

🌿 Local Growing Tips (Malta)

Best planting season: September to April, although established plants can continue growing throughout much of the year with adequate watering and summer shade.

Position: Sunny vegetable gardens, raised beds, balcony planters or containers with good drainage.

Companion plants: Lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and spring onions.

Common issue: Flea beetles may create small holes in the leaves, while excessive heat can make foliage tougher and more bitter. Use protective insect netting when necessary and harvest leaves regularly.

📦 Product Information

Variety: Rucola Selvatica (Wild Rocket)

Botanical Name: Diplotaxis tenuifolia

Plant Type: Perennial Leafy Vegetable Seedling

Quantity: 6 Seedlings per Tray

First Harvest: Approximately 30–45 days after transplanting, depending on growing conditions

Harvest Season: Mainly Autumn to Spring, with extended harvesting possible under suitable conditions

Special Characteristics: Deeply lobed, aromatic green leaves, distinctive peppery flavour, perennial growth and excellent regrowth for repeated harvesting.

Important Information

Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.

The price is per one tray of 6 seedlings.