How to Grow and Care for Moringa Plants

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a tropical tree native to India and Bangladesh. It is mostly grown as a food source but also serves as a fast-growing source of dappled shade, adding up to 20 feet in height per year. After it is established, the moringa is drought-tolerant. It can be grown as an upright tree with a slender trunk or pruned into a bush. In a cool climate, it is grown as an annual or overwintered indoors. Unless it is grown in a tropical climate, the moringa is a deciduous tree that goes dormant in the winter. The leaves, flowers, pods, seeds, and roots of the moringa are edible. Because of its numerous nutritious and medicinal qualities, the moringa has also been dubbed the "miracle tree".

Moringa Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a moringa tree:

• Plant the tree in the spring in a location with full sun and moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
• Water it as needed to keep the soil consistently moist.
• Fertilize lightly until established and then move to regularly adding compost to the surrounding soil.
• Prune annually to contain the tree's height and encourage branching.
• Bring potted moringa trees indoors during cold weather.

Light

Plant the moringa in a bright, sunny location that receives direct sunlight for most of the day. Growth may be stunted if the plants do not receive enough light.

Soil

Moringa trees are adaptable to a wide range of soils and survive in poor soils. However, they thrive in well-draining, sandy soils. The plants are sensitive to root rot, so avoid compacted or soggy soil.

Water

Keep the soil of moringa plants consistently moist but not wet. Moringa are sensitive to overwatering. Established moringa plants are drought-tolerant, but young plants need more consistent moisture to encourage vigorous growth. Infrequent, deep watering is better than frequent, light watering.

Temperature and Humidity

Moringa grows best in temperatures between 77 and 95°F, although it tolerates temperatures as high as 118°F as long as there is afternoon shade. The tree may withstand a light frost but generally does not tolerate cold temperatures. In a frost-free climate (USDA zones 10 and 11), moringa grows outdoors year-round. Everywhere else, it is grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.

Fertilizer

Add compost to the soil when planting. To get the young plant started, use a light application of a general, all-purpose fertilizer. Once established, moringa plants do not require regular fertilization. However, they benefit from having their topsoil regularly amended with compost or manure.

Types of Moringa

There are over 13 species in the Moringa genus and many cultivars, including dwarf varieties. All moringa plants are fast-growing, with a growth rate of at least 12 to 15 feet annually.

The various species of Moringa are classified by their trunk type: big, water-storing trunks, slender trunks, and tuberous shrubs. All of the species were traditionally used for medicine and food.

• M. peregrina: Slender trunk; native to Red Sea, Arabia, northeast Africa
• M. concanensis: Slender trunk; native to India; only exists in the wild
• M. stenopetala: Bloated trunk; native to Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia
• M. drouhardii: Bloated trunk; native to Madagascar; only exists in the wild
• M. ovalifolia:Bloated trunk; native to Namibia and Angola; only exists in the wild
• M. hildebrandtii: Bloated trunk; native to Madagascar; only exists in the wild

Pruning

Regular pruning is essential to prevent the tree from becoming too tall and increase the harvest yield of edible leaves, flowers, pods, and seeds. If left unpruned, moringa plants will become tall with few leaves and will only flower near the top of the branches, which makes harvesting difficult.

Prune the moringa during the dormant season, just before the new growth starts. Use clean, sterilized pruning tools.

When the moringa is 30 to 36 inches tall, cut it back to 18 to 24 inches and only leave 4 to 5 new branches so the tree grows in a vase form. When the branches reach 8 to 10 feet in height, top them to eye level. Remove any shoots growing straight up and any crossing, dead, or diseased branches.

Propagating Moringa

Propagating a moringa from cuttings is preferred over growing it from seed because it ensures you will get a clone of the parent plant with the same traits. It also considerably shortens the growing time, with plants going from cuttings to flowering in as little as eight months. Propagating the cutting indoors gives you the best control over the propagation process.

1. Cut a stem between 1/4 to 1/2 inches in circumference and 8 to 12 inches in length.
2. Remove any leaves or side shoots from the bottom half of the cutting.
3. Fill a pot that is at least 20 inches wide and deep with well-draining potting mix.
4. Scrape off the outer bark from the cut end of the stem. Dip it in rooting hormone and insert it in the pot so at least one-third of the stem is buried.
5. Keep the pot in a shaded area that still gets a good amount of ambient light or in a greenhouse until the plants are rooted, which should only take about two to three weeks.
6. Harden off the plants before transplanting them outdoors in a sunny location.

How to Grow Moringa From Seed

Moringa grows readily from seeds. The seeds have no dormancy period and are best planted as soon as they have been collected. Fresh seeds retain excellent germination rates for up to one year.Moringa seeds are best directly sown into the garden, as it is challenging to transplant the plant due to its long taproot.

1. Dig a hole about a foot deep and wide to loosen the soil well, then backfill with compost and soil.
2. Plant three to five seeds in each hole, 2 inches apart, about 1/2 inch deep. Cover with soil and water. Keep soil moist but not soggy.
3. When the seedlings are 4 to 6 inches tall, thin the seedlings, keeping the healthiest plant and removing the others.

Potting and Repotting Moringa

Because of the moringa's rapid growth and large size, choose a dwarf moringa variety for container planting. The pot should be at least 20 inches wide and deep to accommodate the tap root of the plant. Fill the container with rich, well-draining potting mix.

When the root has outgrown the container, repot it promptly to a pot one size up before the plant becomes rootbound, or it will be tough to remove.

Overwintering

In a frost-free climate, no special steps are required to overwinter moringa. In cooler climates, moringa is usually grown in pots and should be moved indoors when temperatures consistently drop below 68°F. Keep the plant in a sunny, warm location during the winter. As its growth slows, cut down on the watering until growth restarts in the spring.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Luckily, moringa plants are not prone to many pests and diseases. Termites can be an issue with established moringa trees. If you notice termites, mulch around the tree's base with castor oil plant leaves, mahogany chips, tephrosia leaves, or Persian lilac leaves. Armyworms, cutworms, stem borers, aphids, caterpillars, and fruit flies are also attracted to moringa.

Root rot, fruit and twig rot, and canker are the most common diseases that affect moringa. Root rot is by far the most common issue with moringa trees that are planted in soil with poor drainage.

Fruit or twig rot is caused by a fungus that turns the seed pods or twigs brown. The treatment consists of applying a copper-based fungicide according to the package instructions.

Cankers are rare but may occur on moringa trunks and branches. Prune off damaged limbs or branches during dry weather. Pruning during rainy periods risks spreading the canker fungus or bacteria to other parts of the tree.

How to Get Moringa to Bloom

Bloom Months

Moringa is a seasonal bloomer that flowers repeatedly throughout the year. In a frost-free climate, moringa blooms twice a year or more, once in late fall to early winter, around November and December, and again in late spring to early summer.

What Do Moringa Flowers Look and Smell Like?

The small yellow-white flowers grow in clusters. They have a sweet fragrance.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Sufficient sunlight and hot weather are key to getting a moringa to flower. Proper pruning to encourage branching is also important for a prolific bloom.

Common Problems With Moringa

Generally, moringa trees are fast-growing, low maintenance, and resist problems. However, there are a few things to watch out for.

Yellowing Leaves

Moringa leaves turn yellow with too much watering, insufficient water, or poor nutrient levels in the soil. Check water levels by inserting your finger about 1 inch deep; water the plant if it's dry about an inch down. When all the leaves start turning yellow, it's likely a lack of nutrients or sunlight. Fertilize the plant and consider moving it to a location with more light.

Browning or Dying Branches and Leaves

A dying moringa is likely due to soil drainage issues. Root rot is the most common killer of moringa trees. Ensure that the plant is in fast-draining soil. Mix in sand, perlite, peat moss, or compost to help improve soil drainage.

Poor Growth

Insufficient sunlight, lack of nutrients, and cold temperatures are all potential causes of stunted growth. Make sure the tree gets at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight, add fertilizer or compost to enrich the soil, and bring your potted moringa indoors in cold weather.

From: thespruce