Can You Compost Arugula? Quick Guide to Recycling Leafy Greens (Ready in 14-21 Days)

Why Your Leftover Arugula Makes Perfect Compost Material

Staring at wilted arugula in your refrigerator or watching it bolt in your garden can feel like failure. But here's good news: those peppery leaves are compost gold. Yes, arugula composts beautifully—typically breaking down in just 2-3 weeks due to its high nitrogen content and soft cell structure.

This guide shows you exactly how to transform leftover arugula (and all leafy greens) into rich garden soil, whether you have a backyard bin or a tiny apartment. You'll learn the fastest methods to compost arugula, troubleshoot common problems, and create a sustainable cycle that reduces food waste while boosting your garden's productivity.

Quick Reference Guide: Arugula Composting Essentials

Aspect	Details
Material Type	Green (nitrogen-rich)
Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio	Approximately 11:1 (nitrogen-heavy)
Decomposition Time	14-21 days in active compost
Moisture Content	Very high (90% water)
Best Practices	Chop into small pieces, mix with browns
Key Benefits	Fast decomposition, accelerates overall composting, adds calcium, potassium, and iron
Cautions	Remove seed heads if bolted, avoid large clumps

5 Reasons Composting Arugula Beats Throwing It Away

That handful of forgotten arugula might seem insignificant, but sending it to a landfill creates methane—a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Instead, composting your arugula:

Returns valuable nutrients like calcium, potassium, and iron back to your garden
Breaks down completely in 14-21 days (compared to months for tougher materials)
Adds nitrogen-rich "green" material that accelerates your entire compost pile
Creates a closed-loop system where today's waste becomes tomorrow's harvest
Saves you $15-30 annually on store-bought fertilizers for every pound of greens composted

When I started composting my kitchen scraps, I was amazed how quickly leafy greens like arugula disappeared into the pile—like magic, but it's actually biology at work.

Quick Composting Basics: Green vs. Brown (The 30-Second Guide)

For successful composting, think of materials as either "greens" or "browns":

Greens (Nitrogen Sources – 25-30% of your pile):

Arugula and other leafy greens
Vegetable scraps
Coffee grounds
Fresh grass clippings

Browns (Carbon Sources – 70-75% of your pile):

Dry leaves
Cardboard
Paper
Wood chips

Arugula falls firmly in the "green" category, providing the nitrogen microorganisms need to break down your compost pile. For fastest decomposition, maintain a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of approximately 30:1—which means surrounding your arugula with about three times as much "brown" material by volume.

Think of it like cooking: arugula provides the energy (nitrogen) that powers the decomposition "recipe," while browns provide the structure and prevent the pile from becoming a slimy mess.

7 Steps to Speed Up Arugula Composting (Ready in 2-3 Weeks)

Follow these steps to transform arugula into garden gold in record time:

Chop it up – Tear or cut arugula into 1-inch pieces to increase surface area (takes 30 seconds but speeds decomposition by up to 70%)
Mix thoroughly – Avoid clumping arugula in layers, which can create smelly anaerobic pockets
Bury in the center – Place arugula in the middle of your pile where decomposition happens fastest (temperatures reach 120-150°F)
Balance moisture – Arugula is 90% water—mix with dry browns if your pile seems soggy
Turn weekly – Spend 5 minutes turning your pile weekly to add oxygen and accelerate breakdown
Watch the temperature – A working pile feels warm to the touch; cold piles need more greens
Manage flowering arugula – For bolted plants, remove seed heads before composting to prevent unwanted volunteers

Your arugula should be unrecognizable within 2-3 weeks in an active pile, compared to 6-8 weeks for tougher vegetable scraps. Additionally, the high water content in arugula can help maintain proper moisture levels in your compost during dry periods.

4 Apartment-Friendly Ways to Compost Arugula Without the Smell

Limited space doesn't mean you can't compost your arugula. These methods work in apartments as small as 500 square feet:

Vermicomposting – Red wiggler worms devour arugula in 7-10 days, producing odorless castings in a bin the size of a shoe box ($25-75 startup cost). Worms particularly love soft greens like arugula, making this an ideal match.
Bokashi fermentation – This Japanese method ferments arugula in an airtight bucket using beneficial microbes, requiring just 2 square feet of space ($40-60 setup). The fermentation process preserves nutrients and prevents odors from escaping.
Electric composters – Countertop units like FoodCycler process arugula overnight using heat and grinding (higher investment at $300-400 but zero effort). These units can reduce arugula volume by up to 90% while eliminating odors.
Community composting – Many urban areas now offer food scrap collection or community garden drop-offs (often free or $5-10 monthly). This option requires minimal equipment—just a small container to collect scraps between drop-offs.

"I was skeptical about composting in my studio apartment," shares urban gardener Maya Lin, "but my worm bin handles all my arugula and other greens with zero smell—it sits right next to my kitchen counter."

Beyond Basic Composting: 3 Creative Uses for Excess Arugula

When your arugula crop bolts or you have more than your compost can handle, try these alternative recycling methods:

Quick soil incorporation – Dig arugula directly into garden beds, where it decomposes in 7-14 days while improving soil structure (best for garden beds resting between plantings). This method, sometimes called "chop and drop," mimics how leaves naturally decompose in forests.
Nutrient-rich "tea" – Steep chopped arugula in water for 24-48 hours to create a liquid fertilizer for houseplants (dilute 1:10 with water before using). The resulting solution contains readily available nutrients that plants can immediately absorb, providing a quick boost.
Trench composting – Bury arugula 8-12 inches deep between garden rows where roots will eventually reach the nutrients (breaks down in 3-4 weeks). This method works especially well for small amounts of arugula and requires no visible compost pile.

These methods require even less infrastructure than traditional composting while delivering similar benefits. Furthermore, they integrate seamlessly into existing garden routines without requiring separate compost management.

Troubleshooting: Why Is My Arugula Compost Smelly or Slow?

Problem: "My compost smells terrible after adding arugula."
Solution: You likely have too many greens and not enough browns. Add twice the volume of leaves, shredded paper, or cardboard and turn the pile. The smell should disappear within 48 hours. Additionally, ensure your pile isn't too wet—arugula's high moisture content can create waterlogged conditions.

Problem: "Arugula isn't breaking down in my compost."
Solution: Your pile is probably too dry or cold. Sprinkle with water until it feels like a wrung-out sponge and add more green materials to increase nitrogen levels. In colder months, insulating your compost bin with straw bales or cardboard can help maintain decomposition temperatures.

Problem: "Can I compost arugula with salad dressing on it?"
Solution: Small amounts of oil or dressing won't harm your compost, but large quantities can slow decomposition and attract pests. Rinse heavily dressed arugula before composting. Oil-free dressings are less problematic than those containing dairy or oils.

Problem: "Will diseased arugula spread problems in my compost?"
Solution: Most home compost piles don't reach temperatures high enough to kill pathogens. Dispose of diseased plants in municipal waste instead of your home compost. However, if you're managing a hot compost pile that maintains 140°F for several days, most pathogens will be destroyed.

FAQ: Common Questions About Composting Arugula

How long does arugula take to decompose in compost?
Arugula typically breaks down completely in 14-21 days in an active compost pile due to its high water content and tender leaves. In cooler or less active piles, it may take up to 30 days.

Can arugula seeds germinate from my compost?
Yes, if your arugula has gone to seed, you might find volunteers sprouting from your compost. Remove seed heads before composting if this concerns you. Alternatively, ensure your compost heats up properly, as temperatures above 135°F will kill most seeds.

Is arugula acidic in compost?
While slightly peppery in flavor, arugula has a near-neutral pH and won't significantly affect your compost's acidity. Unlike citrus or pine needles, arugula won't make your compost more acidic in any meaningful way.

Can I compost too much arugula at once?
Yes—adding large volumes of any single material can create imbalance. Limit arugula to no more than 20% of any compost addition, mixing with diverse materials. This prevents matting and ensures proper airflow throughout your pile.

What animals are attracted to arugula in compost?
Rodents generally show little interest in arugula, but flies may be attracted to large quantities. Burying arugula in the center of your pile prevents pest issues. Unlike fruit scraps, arugula rarely attracts larger pests like raccoons or opossums.

Closing the Loop: From Plate to Garden to Plate Again

Composting arugula isn't just about waste disposal—it's about creating a sustainable cycle in your garden. When you return those nutrients to your soil, you're building a resilient ecosystem that depends less on outside inputs.

Start small by composting this week's leftover arugula, and watch how quickly it transforms into something new. The satisfaction of completing this cycle—growing, eating, composting, and growing again—connects you to natural processes that have sustained life for millennia.

Your compost pile becomes a visible reminder that in nature, nothing is truly waste—just resources in the wrong place. By rescuing that handful of wilted arugula from the trash, you're not just saving a few leaves; you're participating in one of nature's most fundamental processes and building soil that will nourish future harvests.

Remember: every time you add arugula to your compost instead of your trash, you're making a choice that benefits both your garden and the planet. That small action, repeated consistently, creates meaningful change right in your backyard.