Tall Rocket Plant Care
Sisymbrium altissimum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sisymbrium altissimum is a species of Sisymbrium. The plant is native to the western part of the Mediterranean Basin and is widely naturalized throughout most of the world, including all of North America.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Tall Rocket?
Water Tall Rocket every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Tall Rocket Native To?
What Is the Tall Rocket?
Tall Rocket (Sisymbrium altissimum) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Sisymbrium genus. Tall Rocket is native to the western part of the Mediterranean Basin. Tall Rocket is also known as Tall Hedge Mustard, Rocket.
Tall Rocket displays an upright, branching herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tall Rocket produces small clusters of white or yellow flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tall Rocket?
Sisymbrium altissimum requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tall Rocket Need?
Tall Rocket thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tall Rocket Prefer?
Sisymbrium altissimum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Tall Rocket prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tall Rocket?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Tall Rocket to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tall Rocket?
Feed Tall Rocket every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Tall Rocket?
Repot annually in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Tall Rocket?
Tall Rocket can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wormseed wallflower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tall Rocket Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tall Rocket, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Tall Rocket?
Tall Rocket is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tall Rocket Need?
Tall Rocket grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Tall Rocket is native to the western part of the Mediterranean Basin. In cooler regions, grow Tall Rocket as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Tall Rocket is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Sisymbrium genus — compare its care with other Sisymbrium species on PlantoScan.
Sisymbrium is part of the Brassicaceae plant family — browse all Brassicaceae genera and species.
Tall Rocket thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sisymbrium altissimum L., family Brassicaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 659 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tall Rocket, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Tall Rocket Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species