The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Moringa oleifera. Easy to grow as an annual in the North! Moringa contains 46 antioxidants, 18 amino acids & is a complete protein. This is a very special dwarf variety from India. Unlike other varieties of moringa, this tree will remain short and is very well suited to container growing, which makes growing it in the U.S. much easier. Moringa is native to the tropics and the subtropics; container growing will allow you to bring your tree inside for the winter. This plant is prized for its very high-protein leaves, its rich concentration of minerals and vitamins, and its heavy load of anti-oxidants! Leaves, blooms, seeds and immature seedpods, called “drumsticks”, are edible; seeds are source of a high-quality oil. WARNING: Roots are reputed to be poisonous, do not eat! Ingesting the pulp or the bark of the plant in large quantities can be harmful.[1] [2]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
Planting Season
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | Above 50F | Sandy or loamy soil, well-draining | At least 1-2″ per week |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
- Additional instructions: Moringa is a drought-resistant, fast-growing tree that can reach 3 meters in just the first year. Moringa trees have a deep taproot system, which means they need lots of space to stretch out their roots in the soil. The trees generally prefer loamy or sandy soils with a neutral pH. They will need to have full sun exposure year-round, so be sure to provide that. Since the plant is native to subtropical and semi-arid regions, it can only tolerate light frost. Regular weather below 45 degrees Fahrenheit can be detrimental to the trees. Pruning moringa trees is an absolute necessity. Moringa can be propagated from both seed pods and cuttings. Moringa is a deciduous tree, so it usually loses its leaves in the fall. Some areas with mild winters may see leaves year-round.[2]
- Harvesting instructions: Harvest a generous amount of leaves to make moringa powder. Wash your branches thoroughly with water once you’ve cut them. Some advocate washing them with a saline solution and then rinsing them as well. Tie bundles of the branches together at their base, and place them somewhere where the leaves can dry out. Drying should only take a few days, and as the leaves dry, you can pull them easily off the tree with your hands. You can also harvest the leaves fresh for use in salads or as a green vegetable. Moringa pods can be harvested for fresh eating when they’re about six inches in length. Mature pods can be harvested at full size. At this point, the pod is no longer edible, but the seeds within can be pressed to extract moringa oil.[2]
Common Diseases and Pests
- Pests: Armyworms, cutworms, caterpillars, aphids, fruit flies, termites[2]
- Disease: Fruit/twig/root rots, canker[2]
Useful Resources
- https://www.rareseeds.com/store/vegetables/dwarf-moringa/moringa-dwarf (seed source)
- https://www.epicgardening.com/growing-moringa/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.