Description

Wild Sylvetta Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), also known as perennial or wild arugula, is a slow-growing, deeply lobed leafy green known for its intensely peppery flavour and fine, tender leaves. Unlike common rocket, Wild Sylvetta has a stronger taste, longer harvest window, and greater heat and drought tolerance, making it exceptionally well-suited to South African climates.

This hardy green grows best in full sun to partial shade and thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It performs reliably across South Africa’s provinces, especially in mild winter regions like the Western Cape and Highveld areas. Wild Sylvetta is ideal for cut-and-come-again harvesting, with leaves ready for picking in 80-90 days.

A top choice for salads, sandwiches, pesto's, and garnishes, it brings both culinary flair and garden resilience to home and commercial vegetable beds.

 

Benefits

Insect Repellant & Pollinator

• The pungent aroma and spicy oils in leaves help repel aphids and flea beetles.
  
• When left to flower, it attracts pollinators such as bees and beneficial hoverflies, supporting local biodiversity.
  

Culinary & Medicinal

• Popular in gourmet salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pestos, and pastas.
• Leaves have a sharp, peppery, nutty flavour—stronger than cultivated rocket.
  

Nutritional Benefits

• High in vitamin K, C, A – essential for bone health, immunity, and vision.
  
• Contains flavonoids and glucosinolates that fight oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Provides calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium for strong bones, muscles, and oxygen transport.
  

Garden Performance

• Heat-tolerant and slow to bolt, making it ideal for warmer SA climates.
  
• Helps repel pests and benefits nearby crops.
• Perennial in mild regions—can regrow from the same plant across seasons.
  

• Compact, upright growth habit suitable for both beds and containers.

 

How To Use

Rocket Wild Sylvetta flourishes under the following conditions:

• Season: Spring to Autumn
• Temperature: 20-30°C
• Germinate: 7-14 days
• Depth: 3 mm
• Spacing: 20x20 cm
• Harvest: 80-90 days
• Height: 15 cm
• Flowering Season: Late Spring to Summer
• Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Ideal Growing Environment

• Prefers a well drained substrate with amendments or pre-made soil containing all the necessary base additives. Ideal pH 6.0–7.0.
• Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—overwatering may lead to mildew.
• Light feeder; a side dressing of compost or balanced organic fertiliser is sufficient.
• Tolerates moderate to low humidity (40–60%); good air flow reduces risk of fungal issues.
• Well-suited to most South African regions, especially the Western Cape, Highveld, and coastal KwaZulu-Natal—grows well even through dry spells if irrigated.
• Benefits from being planted alongside lettuce, carrots, radishes, spinach, strawberries, and onions.
• Intercropping: Pair with carrots, radish, or chamomile for pest control.
• Crop Rotation: Plant after heavy feeders or legumes. Follow with root crops or herbs.
• Soil Rejuvenation: Till in residues to add organic matter.
• Avoid planting with broccoli, cabbage, kale and strawberries as they may attract shared pests.

 

For placement of large orders contact us at: office@greenhouston.co.za