If you’re looking for a fast-growing leafy green with a peppery kick, arugula is the perfect pick for your hydroponic herb garden. It’s ideal for beginner growers and a flavorful favorite in everything from salads to sandwiches. With Hydroponick’s DWC system, you can grow arugula indoors year-round cleanly, efficiently, and without soil. Here’s how to get started.

Why Arugula?

Arugula is packed with nutrients like calcium, vitamin C, and potassium. It grows quickly often ready to harvest in under 30 days and thrives in cooler temperatures. That makes it a great candidate for indoor vegetable gardening, where you can control light and temperature in a hydroponic setup.

Getting Started with Hydroponick’s DWC System

To grow arugula in a Deep Water Culture (DWC) system, you’ll need a few essentials:

Hydroponick’s DWC kit
Arugula seeds (look for fast-growing varieties)
pH test kit
Nutrient solution for leafy greens
Grow lights
Rock wool or clay pellets for the growing medium

Hydroponick’s DWC system keeps the roots suspended in nutrient-rich, oxygenated water ideal for fast-growing greens like arugula.

Planting and Germination

Start by placing your arugula seeds in moist rock wool cubes. Keep them in a dark, warm place for 3–5 days until they sprout. Once you see little green leaves, place the cubes into the net pots in your DWC system.

Fill your reservoir with water and add nutrients according to the label. Arugula prefers a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, so adjust as needed. Make sure your air pump and stones are running to keep the roots oxygenated.

Set your grow lights to run about 12–14 hours per day. Arugula doesn’t need intense lighting just consistency. Note: If your light is stronger and you see brown edges, you can reduce your light usage to 8-10 hours per day.

Maintenance and Growth

Arugula grows quickly, so keep an eye on your water levels and nutrient concentration. Replace the solution every 2–3 weeks or sooner if needed. If the leaves begin to yellow, you may need to increase nitrogen slightly.

Because arugula prefers cooler temps, aim to keep the growing space between 60–70°F. Too much heat can make the flavor overly bitter.

Harvesting

Arugula can be harvested as baby greens in as little as 3 weeks. Snip off the outer leaves and leave the center intact for continuous growth. This “cut-and-come-again” method means one plant can produce for weeks!

Grow Fresh Arugula Anytime

Growing arugula with Hydroponick’s DWC system is simple, fast, and rewarding. Whether you're topping pizzas or tossing salads, you’ll always have fresh greens at your fingertips. For new growers or anyone expanding their indoor vegetable gardening skills, arugula is an easy win in any hydroponic herb garden.

Ready to grow something bold and peppery? Arugula is calling.

How to Grow Arugula Hydroponically in Hydroponick’s DWC System