Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Wild rocket)

Botanical name

Diplotaxis tenuifolia

Other names

Wild rocket, Mediterranean rocket, Brassica tenuifolia, Sisymbrium tenuifolium., Perennial wall rocket, Perennial wallrocket, Wild arugula

Genus

Diplotaxis Diplotaxis

Species

D. tenuifolia - D. tenuifolia is an erect, branching, herbaceous perennial with lance-shaped, deeply lobed, edible, peppery, mid- to dark green leaves and, from late spring to early autumn, racemes of fragrant, bright yellow flowers with four rounded petals.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect, Branching

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Colour

Flower

Bright-yellow in Spring; Bright-yellow in Summer; Bright-yellow in Autumn

Foliage

Green in Spring; Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Birds , Cutworms , Lettuce root maggot , Root aphid , Root knot eelworm , Slugs , Snails

Specific diseases

Grey mould , Lettuce downy mildew , Mosaic virus , Ring spot

General care

Pruning

Leaves are ready for harvest approximately four weeks after sowing. Harvest young leaves when desired. Later sowings will crop into winter if protected with cloches or horticultural fleece.

Propagation

Sow seed from mid-spring to midsummer. Sow thinly, 1 cm deep and 30cm apart. Thin seedlings to 30cm apart.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Wild rocket) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.4m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

Coastal, Beds and borders, Add to salads, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun with afternoon shade in areas with hot summers. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including poor, shallow chalk. Keep soil consistently moist to prevent bolting (setting seed). Do not overwater.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Wild rocket)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Wild rocket)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

The UK has a protected zone in place for this pest which helps to mitigate the risk of entry and establishment. An EFSA opinion is currently being discussed at the EU Annexes Working Group which recommends further strengthening of the regulation.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Wild rocket)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/