Rocket bolts fast and is mostly self-fertile, which makes it one of the easier leafy greens for seed saving -- just note that "wild rocket" sold in salad mixes is a different species entirely and won't cross with your salad rocket.
New to terms like isolation distance or outcrossing? See the Seed-Saving Glossary.
Seed-Saving Difficulty
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Safe to Save
Low to moderate crossing risk
How It's Pollinated
Insect-pollinated, but largely self-fertile
(Low to moderate crossing risk)
Scientific name: Eruca sativa
Domestic Crops It Can Cross With
- Other rocket varieties, if bees carry pollen between them
Wild Relatives & Feral Species
- Wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) is a different species and does not cross with salad rocket
Separation Distances Required
Minimum: 25-50m between varieties
Recommended: 100m for extra security
Strict: Bag flowers for guaranteed purity
Seed-Saving Strategies
- Let plants bolt and flower fully -- rocket is fast to run to seed in warm weather
- Allow seed pods to dry brown on the plant
- Harvest before pods split, then thresh
- Store dry -- viable 3-4 years