Torino Perennial Wall-Rocket (Arugula)

Diplotaxis tenuifolia

Seeds per pack ~ 125

Germination: 63% Oct 2023 Packed for 2024

Origins and History

Torino Perennial Wall Rocket, also known as wild arugula, is a Mediterranean heirloom green long cultivated for its peppery, mustard-like flavor. Native to southern Europe, it was traditionally found growing along stone walls, rocky slopes, and fallow fields—hence the name “wall rocket.” Over time, it became a staple in Italian, French, and Middle Eastern cuisines, valued both as a foraged green and a cultivated crop. The “Torino” selection was bred for improved leaf uniformity and productivity while maintaining the sharp, spicy character of its wild ancestors.

Appearance and Characteristics

This perennial variety produces finely lobed, dark green leaves with a delicate yet slightly leathery texture. The leaves are narrower and more serrated than common garden arugula (Eruca vesicaria). Plants grow in a compact rosette and send up slender flower stalks bearing small yellow blossoms that attract pollinators. Torino Wall Rocket is hardy, drought-tolerant, and reliably regenerates after cutting, making it ideal for multiple harvests across the season.

Culinary Uses

With a bold, peppery taste that intensifies with maturity, Torino Perennial Wall Rocket is prized for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. The young leaves add a spicy punch to mesclun mixes, while mature leaves can be sautéed, tossed with pasta, or used in flatbreads and pizzas. The flowers are also edible and provide a mild, nutty flavor along with vibrant yellow color as a garnish.

Growing Tips (Vegetation Zones and Sow Depth)

Torino Wall Rocket thrives in USDA Zones 5–9, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils. It is particularly tolerant of poor, sandy, or rocky soils, reflecting its wild origins. Sow seeds directly outdoors in spring or fall at a depth of ¼ inch (0.5 cm), spacing rows 8–12 inches apart. For continuous harvest, succession sow every 2–3 weeks. Once established, the plant’s perennial nature allows it to self-seed and persist with minimal maintenance.

Harvesting Guidance

Young leaves can be harvested within 6–8 weeks of sowing, when they are most tender and mildly flavored. Cut leaves individually or shear the entire rosette 1–2 inches above the crown to encourage regrowth. Mature leaves, though spicier, remain excellent for cooking. Flowers can be picked as they appear. With proper cutting, Torino Perennial Wall Rocket will provide multiple flushes of leaves throughout the season and persist year after year in favorable conditions.