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The Moringa tree, or drumstick tree, is a versatile plant native to the Himalayas in north-west India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Almost all parts of the plant are beneficial for food, fodder, medicine, biofuel or fertiliser. The Moringa tree is a fast-growing, small-to-medium subtropical tree that can be grown in Australia. It is drought-tolerant and grows in arid regions through to the tropics, and can tolerate some frosts. It can be grown in pots or in the ground, and it requires full sun to part shade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Native to the Himalayas in north-west India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan |
| Growth | Fast-growing, small-to-medium subtropical tree |
| Climate | Grows in arid regions through to the tropics, tolerates frosts and grows from both cuttings and seeds |
| Soil | Sandy soil, well-drained |
| Watering | Regular watering, avoid overwatering |
| Fertiliser | Organic fertiliser |
| Pruning | Prune to keep the tree bushy and manageable |
| Pesticides | Do not spray with pesticides |
| Pots | Deep pots to allow for deep tap root growth |
| Sunlight | Full sun to part shade |
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What You'll Learn
Growing from seeds
Moringa Oleifera is a warm-loving plant that grows well in subtropical and tropical regions. In Australia, it thrives in warm parts of the country and can tolerate mild frosts and cooler climates. To grow Moringa from seeds, follow these steps:
- Storing the Seeds: Never store Moringa seeds in the fridge, as this will kill them. Keep them in a dark place, such as a drawer or cupboard. Moringa seeds have a long shelf life and can last up to 2 years.
- Soaking the Seeds: Before planting, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. This mimics the natural cycle of the Moringa tree, where the seed pods dry out and split open during the pre-monsoon season, and the seeds are saturated by water from the first big storms.
- Planting the Seeds: After soaking, plant the seeds in small seed-raising trays, small pots, or containers. Use a sandy soil mixture, such as a mix of river sand and light friable potting mix, or a high-quality general potting mixture. Water the seeds regularly during the early stages of germination.
- Transplanting: After 5 days to 2 weeks, the seeds should start to grow. Once the seedlings reach a height of 10 to 15 cm, they can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the ground. When transplanting, be careful not to damage the fragile taproot, as this can be detrimental to the plant's survival.
- Potting and Accommodation: Moringa trees develop deep taproots, so choose the deepest pot available to accommodate their growth. If planting directly into the ground, dig a deep hole and backfill. Water the plant regularly, but be careful not to overwater, as Moringa prefers well-drained soil.
- Pruning: Prune your Moringa tree as needed to keep it bushy and manageable. Pruning will encourage the growth of more branches and leaves.
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Germination
Moringa seeds should be stored in a dark place, such as a drawer or a cupboard, and never in the fridge, as this will kill them. They will last up to 2 years when stored correctly. To begin the germination process, the seeds should be soaked in water for 24 hours. This triggers the growing mechanism and duplicates the normal growing cycle of Moringa Oleifera. In nature, the seed pods dry out and split open at the beginning of the monsoon season, and the seeds fall into small puddles of water, which is what the soaking process replicates.
After soaking, the seeds can be planted in small seed-raising trays, small pots, larger pots, or directly into the ground. The soil should be of a sandy nature, and a mixture of river sand and light friable potting compost is recommended. The seeds should be watered regularly and not allowed to dry out. After 5 days to 2 weeks, the seeds should start to grow. When the tree reaches 10-15cm in height, it can be transplanted into a larger pot using a sand-based potting mix or planted directly into the ground.
When planting directly into the ground, it is important to dig the hole as deep as possible and then backfill. This is because Moringa trees grow a deep taproot, and a deep hole will allow the taproot to grow longer. Care must be taken not to damage the taproot, as this can kill the plant. If the taproot has grown through the bottom of the pot, it is recommended to cut the pot to remove the root rather than force it out and risk damaging it.
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Soil type
The Moringa Oleifera is a fast-growing, small-to-medium subtropical tree native to the Himalayas in northwest India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is a warm-loving plant that grows in sub-tropical and tropical regions worldwide and can tolerate mild frosts and cooler climates.
Moringa trees can be grown in pots or directly in the ground. If planting in a pot, a deep pot is required as the Moringa tree grows a deep taproot, with very few other roots that spread out to the sides of the pot. A self-watering pot can be used to prevent roots from escaping the pot. If using a normal pot, drill small holes in the bottom to drain the water and prevent large pools of water from collecting at the bottom.
When planting directly into the ground, it is recommended to dig a deep hole and backfill. The Moringa tree thrives in sandy soil, and a mixture of river sand and light friable potting mix can be used. Clay soil has also been used to grow Moringa trees successfully. The soil should be well-drained and compost-rich but not over-fertilised.
In cooler climates, spring and summer are the best times to plant Moringa trees.
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Pruning
The best time to prune your moringa tree is during the dormant season, just before new growth starts. When the tree is 30-36 inches tall, cut it back to 18-24 inches and leave only 4-5 new branches so that it grows in a vase form. When the branches reach 8-10 feet in height, top them to eye level. Remove any shoots growing straight up and any crossing, dead, or diseased branches.
It is important to use clean, sterilized pruning tools to avoid spreading diseases. Pruning during dry weather is recommended, especially if you are removing damaged limbs or branches.
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Climate
Moringa Oleifera is a subtropical tree native to the Himalayas in northwest India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It grows in warm, tropical, and subtropical climates and can tolerate mild frosts and cooler climates.
In Australia, Moringa grows well in warm parts of the country, such as Western Australia, where it can reach a height of 10 meters. In cooler climates, such as Melbourne, Moringa can be grown in large pots or greenhouses and kept indoors during winter. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires regular watering and organic fertiliser.
Moringa trees are drought-tolerant and can grow in arid regions. They have a deep taproot, so they require deep pots or holes when planted in the ground. The soil should be sandy and well-drained, and the trees should be pruned to keep them bushy and manageable.
Moringa seeds should be soaked in water for 24 hours before planting, triggering the growing mechanism. The seeds can then be planted in small pots or seed-raising trays with a high-quality potting mixture or free-draining soil. Regular watering is essential during the early stages of germination. After 5 days to 2 weeks, the seeds will start to grow, and the seedlings can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the ground.
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Frequently asked questions
Pruning your Moringa tree will help it to grow in a bushier shape. If you do not prune your Moringa tree, it will grow tall and thin, and all the nutritious leaves will be at the top of the tree.
Soak the Moringa seeds in water for 24 hours. This triggers the growing mechanism. After this, plant your seeds in a pot or container. The soil you plant into should be of a sandy nature. Water regularly and don't let the seeds dry out at this stage. After 5 days to 2 weeks, you should see the seeds starting to grow.
Moringa trees are subtropical and tropical plants that are native to the Himalayas in northwest India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. They can tolerate mild frosts and cooler climates, but they will die in the winter in Melbourne. If you live in a cold climate, it is recommended to grow them in large pots or greenhouses.
