Grow a Moringa Tree

For edible landscaping, a Moringa tree is hard to beat. This versatile tree can be grown year round in any tropical climate, and successfully grown as an annual, in temperate zones.

Fast growing, nutritious, and lovely to behold, Moringa is gaining in popularity daily. What could be easier than walking into your yard, and gathering healthy greens to put on the table?

Steps

  1. Obtain some Moringa seeds from one of the many sources that sell them. There are several varieties, but the seeds of Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala are the easiest to obtain. In the photo, the Moringa oleifera seeds are the brown, winged seeds in the photo; on the left hand side. The Moringa stenopetala seeds are the tan ones in the photo; on the right hand side. It is readily apparent that they do not resemble each other, but both are Moringa seeds.
    • For a fast-growing tree that will bear leaves, blossoms and seed pods - called drumsticks - the first year, choose Moringa Oleifera. Here is a good illustration, of why it is best to keep your Moringa trees at a manageable height; it makes harvesting the leaves and pods much easier to do. The drumsticks shown, hanging from the Moringa tree, contain the Moringa tree's seeds. They can be planted as soon as the pod is dry, or stored for planting later.
    • If you want a fast-growing tree with much larger leaves, making the task of gathering them for a meal easier, opt for Moringa Stenopetala.
    • The flowers and seed pods take longer to develop on the African variety of Moringa - Moringa Stenopetala.
    • The seeds are very different, but they both grow Moringa trees. In actuality, the seeds are basically the same size; but, you can see they are not alike in appearance. Moringa Oleifera seeds are round, brown, and winged. Moringa Stenopetala seeds, out of their husk, are almond-shaped and light tan.
  2. Decide where you would like to grow your Moringa tree. Keep in mind that Moringa trees can grow over {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} tall, their first year. The average growth is about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, however, in optimum conditions, they can grow much taller. Because the Build a Lean To will grow, on the average, to about three to four feet wide the first year, you will need to consider whether you want to plant your Moringa tree close to any existing structures. Moringas need much sunlight, warmth, and water, to thrive - so think about where your tree will obtain the best exposure to the sun.
  3. Get the best organic potting soil that you can find. Moringas do not like heavy, clay-like soil or vermiculite. They will grow in poor soil, sandy soil, and depleted soil, but they do not like their roots getting wet. Bear this in mind, and if necessary, purchase sand to add to the potting soil mixture, or use whatever soil is available in your area, and add coconut coir, peat moss, perlite, or sand to loosen it. This gives the roots of the Moringa tree room to go deep, and drain well. Moringa has a taproot, which means a single root that goes straight down like a carrot. It has small feeder roots but does not have branching roots. Plant where the taproot has lots of room to go down. If planting in a container, find the deepest one you can. Moringa can be grow as a solitary tree, in rows, or as a hedge.
    • If you would like to grow it as a hedge, plant the seeds into the ground, about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apart. Pinch back every other new leaf growth, to force the tree to grow like a bush, and once they are about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} tall, cut the branches in half lengthwise, and pinch back the new leaf growth that will sprout out at the top of the Moringa tree.
    • If you are going to grow your Moringas in rows, then plant the seeds about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apart, in rows that are at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apart, for easy weed removal and walking through the rows.
    • If you are going to grow your Moringa as a solitary tree, just remember to give it plenty of room, so its branches can spread out. Periodically, cut back the top of the tree, to encourage new growth, and cut the branches' length back, by half. This will insure that your Moringas thrive, and give you lots of beautiful flowers, edible leaves, and drumsticks - for years to come.
  4. Make a hole in the soil, and plant the Moringa seeds about ¾" to 1" deep, cover with soil, and tamp it into place. Make a note of when you planted the seed or seeds, so you can monitor their growth. Once you have covered the seeds, thoroughly water the soil. Whether you plant the seeds in pots, or right into the ground, they will need a thorough soaking every day, until you see the seedlings emerge from the soil. Once they have sprouted, they can be watered once every other day, until they are about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} tall. Then, once a week will be sufficient.
    • Some people soak the seeds in water until they sprout, and then plant them. This method also works, but Moringa seeds are very hardy, and do not need this additional step.



Tips

  • One individual in Florida has had excellent success, propagating Moringa trees with cuttings of various sizes, by putting branches - trimmed as instructed above, into a large potting container filled with soil. The cuttings need to be watered every day, and the water allowed to drain off freely. Within approximately two weeks, budding leaves will be produced along the cutting, and often seedlings will spring up from the base.
  • Keep those pruning shears handy, as the more you prune them, the faster they will grow.
  • The flowers buds and blossoms can be cooked slightly and eaten, as a nourishing vegetable.
  • One alternative is propagation by stem cuttings. Select branches with about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} diameter and cut the same for about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} length. The bottom of the branch can be cut on a 45-degree angle, to expose more surface area to the soil. Then the cutting can be planted in the soil with, about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of stem buried in the ground. Periodically water them and fresh leaves will emerge from the stem. The advantage of using a stem cutting for planting is that it is quick growing and comes to flowering faster than the plant raised from seed. Moringa trees grown from cuttings retain all the qualities of the mother plant.
  • The leaves, pods, flowers buds, blossoms, and seeds can all be eaten. The flower buds and blossoms should be cooked, the seeds can eaten raw or cooked, and the leaves can be eaten. There are many places online that will tell you how to incorporate the leaves into your diet. They are edible raw, taken right from the tree and eaten on site, or they can be added to salads or spreads. Many people in countries worldwide eat them with chicken, fish, pork, beef, lamb, or other meat, or they can simply be lightly sautéed, and eaten as a side dish. Moringa leaves can effectively be added to soups, stews, rice, grains or baked goods. When added to a main dish, it is most beneficial to add the leaves toward the end of the cooking time, to preserve as many nutrients as possible.

Warnings

  • Moringa is drought-resistant, but is NOT cold tolerant. Freezes will cause it to die back.
  • Maintain your Moringa tree at a height of about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} maximum, if you wish to be able to reach its harvest. If you do not, you will eventually have a very tall, very thin tree, with branches at the very top; inaccessible, and unattractive.
  • It has come to our attention, that some sites recommend pregnant mothers should not ingest the flowers, as they can act as an abortifacient. Because there may be the possibility that this is true, pregnant mothers should avoid eating the buds and blossoms.
  • Because Moringa trees grow so rapidly, one of the easiest ways to keep them at a manageable height, is to pinch back every other top growth, and cut the branches in half, lengthwise. This will encourage the Moringa tree to branch out, along the trunk, and prevent you from having a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} tall tree, with buds, blossoms, leaves and pods that are difficult to reach.
  • Worldwide, some people eat the root. Do not eat the root. It tastes like horseradish, but the root's bark contains a powerful neurotoxin. In large enough quantities, it can be fatal. Leave the roots alone.
  • Constantly trim your Moringa, from the top. This encourages the tree to put out more branches, farther down along the trunk. You can also cut the branches' leaves in half, forcing new leaves to grow in the crotch of the limbs. Do not discard the trimmings. Toss them down, underneath the trees, for some of the finest weed-defying mulch that is available.

Things You'll Need

  • Moringa seeds
  • Loose potting soil
  • A sunny location for the Moringas
  • Water
  • Pruning shears or scissors

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