Moringaceae
Moringa oleifera
Bring airy greenery and elegant white blooms to your outdoor space with Moringa. This fast-growing, heat-tolerant tree thrives in full sun, needs minimal fuss once established, and can be shaped easily with pruning—perfect for patios, entrances, and warm-climate gardens. Plant it, give it sun and good drainage, and enjoy a graceful, flowering focal point season after season.
1. Basic Identification
Common Name: Moringa
Botanical Name: Moringa oleifera
Former Name: Not available
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0332
Alternative Names:
Drumstick tree
Horseradish tree
Miracle tree
2. Taxonomy & Classification
Order: Brassicales
Family: Moringaceae
Genus: Moringa
Species: M. oleifera
3. Origin & Distribution
Native to the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
4. Visual Characteristics
Small, fast-growing deciduous tree with a single stem and open crown.
Leaves: pinnate up to 45 cm long with 12–25 pairs of small, oval leaflets.
Flowers: fragrant, creamy-white, 1.5 cm diameter, borne in loose, drooping clusters.
Fruits: elongated, three-sided pods (drumsticks) up to 45 cm long that turn brown at maturity.
Seeds: round, winged, contained within pods.
5. Size & Dimensions
Height: typically 5–10 m, occasionally up to 12 m.
Spread: 3–5 m wide.
Leaf length: 30–45 cm; leaflet length: 1–2 cm.
Pod length: 25–45 cm.
Trunk diameter: 30–50 cm at maturity.
6. Light Requirements
Full sun for optimal growth and flowering (at least 6–8 hours of direct sun daily).
Tolerates light shade but may reduce flowering and pod production.
7. Watering Needs
Water regularly during establishment (first 6–12 months).
Once established, drought tolerant; water deeply but infrequently.
Avoid waterlogging; allow topsoil to dry between waterings.
8. Soil & Potting
Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils with pH 6.5–8.0.
Tolerates poor and slightly acidic soils; avoid heavy clay.
In containers use a fast-draining potting mix blended with sand or perlite.
9. Temperature & Humidity
Thrives in warm climates: optimal 25–35 °C.
Tolerates up to 48 °C; sensitive to temperatures below 10–15 °C.
Not frost-hardy.
Prefers moderate humidity; adapts to arid conditions.
10. Fertilization
Low to moderate feeder.
Apply balanced organic compost or balanced NPK (e.g., 8-3-9) twice a year (at start of growing season and mid-season).
Mulch with organic matter to supply nutrients and conserve moisture.
11. Maintenance & Care Level
Low maintenance once established.
Prune regularly to shape, remove dead wood and encourage bushier growth.
Minimal pest and disease issues under good cultural conditions.
12. Growth & Propagation
Very fast-growing (up to 30 cm/month in favorable conditions).
Propagation: seeds (germinate in 1–2 weeks), stem cuttings (root within 2–4 weeks).
Seed viability best within 2–3 months of harvesting.
13. Common Problems
Pests: aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, spider mites.
Diseases: root rot in poorly drained soils, powdery mildew, leaf spot.
Prevent by ensuring good drainage, air circulation and occasional neem oil spray.
14. Benefits & Uses
Leaves rich in protein, vitamins A, C and E, minerals; used as a nutritional supplement.
Pods (drumsticks), flowers and seeds edible; oil from seeds used for cooking and cosmetics.
Medicinal uses: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial.
Seeds used for water purification; leaves and seed cake for livestock feed.
15. Toxicity & Safety
Leaves, flowers and pods safe for human consumption.
Roots, bark and seed powder in high doses may contain toxic compounds (e.g., spirochin); avoid medicinal use during pregnancy.
Generally non-toxic but use root preparations with caution.
Moringa oleifera
Bring airy greenery and elegant white blooms to your outdoor space with Moringa. This fast-growing, heat-tolerant tree thrives in full sun, needs minimal fuss once established, and can be shaped easily with pruning—perfect for patios, entrances, and warm-climate gardens. Plant it, give it sun and good drainage, and enjoy a graceful, flowering focal point season after season.
1. Basic Identification
Common Name: Moringa
Botanical Name: Moringa oleifera
Former Name: Not available
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0332
Alternative Names:
Drumstick tree
Horseradish tree
Miracle tree
2. Taxonomy & Classification
Order: Brassicales
Family: Moringaceae
Genus: Moringa
Species: M. oleifera
3. Origin & Distribution
Native to the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
4. Visual Characteristics
Small, fast-growing deciduous tree with a single stem and open crown.
Leaves: pinnate up to 45 cm long with 12–25 pairs of small, oval leaflets.
Flowers: fragrant, creamy-white, 1.5 cm diameter, borne in loose, drooping clusters.
Fruits: elongated, three-sided pods (drumsticks) up to 45 cm long that turn brown at maturity.
Seeds: round, winged, contained within pods.
5. Size & Dimensions
Height: typically 5–10 m, occasionally up to 12 m.
Spread: 3–5 m wide.
Leaf length: 30–45 cm; leaflet length: 1–2 cm.
Pod length: 25–45 cm.
Trunk diameter: 30–50 cm at maturity.
6. Light Requirements
Full sun for optimal growth and flowering (at least 6–8 hours of direct sun daily).
Tolerates light shade but may reduce flowering and pod production.
7. Watering Needs
Water regularly during establishment (first 6–12 months).
Once established, drought tolerant; water deeply but infrequently.
Avoid waterlogging; allow topsoil to dry between waterings.
8. Soil & Potting
Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils with pH 6.5–8.0.
Tolerates poor and slightly acidic soils; avoid heavy clay.
In containers use a fast-draining potting mix blended with sand or perlite.
9. Temperature & Humidity
Thrives in warm climates: optimal 25–35 °C.
Tolerates up to 48 °C; sensitive to temperatures below 10–15 °C.
Not frost-hardy.
Prefers moderate humidity; adapts to arid conditions.
10. Fertilization
Low to moderate feeder.
Apply balanced organic compost or balanced NPK (e.g., 8-3-9) twice a year (at start of growing season and mid-season).
Mulch with organic matter to supply nutrients and conserve moisture.
11. Maintenance & Care Level
Low maintenance once established.
Prune regularly to shape, remove dead wood and encourage bushier growth.
Minimal pest and disease issues under good cultural conditions.
12. Growth & Propagation
Very fast-growing (up to 30 cm/month in favorable conditions).
Propagation: seeds (germinate in 1–2 weeks), stem cuttings (root within 2–4 weeks).
Seed viability best within 2–3 months of harvesting.
13. Common Problems
Pests: aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, spider mites.
Diseases: root rot in poorly drained soils, powdery mildew, leaf spot.
Prevent by ensuring good drainage, air circulation and occasional neem oil spray.
14. Benefits & Uses
Leaves rich in protein, vitamins A, C and E, minerals; used as a nutritional supplement.
Pods (drumsticks), flowers and seeds edible; oil from seeds used for cooking and cosmetics.
Medicinal uses: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial.
Seeds used for water purification; leaves and seed cake for livestock feed.
15. Toxicity & Safety
Leaves, flowers and pods safe for human consumption.
Roots, bark and seed powder in high doses may contain toxic compounds (e.g., spirochin); avoid medicinal use during pregnancy.
Generally non-toxic but use root preparations with caution.