Moringa Trees

Have you ever heard of something called moringa?

Moringa trees are known by several names.  Their scientific name is Moringa oleifera.  Sometimes they’re called “drumstick” trees because of their long, skinny seed pods, which resemble drumsticks.  Sometimes they’re called “horseradish” trees because of the horseradish-like flavor in their roots.  They’ve also been hailed as “miracle” trees… but how much of that is based on reality, and how much is just hype?

Today, I’m going to share with you what moringa trees are and why I think everyone—even people with small yards—should consider growing them. 

According to Britannica, moringa trees are “native to tropical Asia but also naturalized in Africa and tropical America.”  They are fast growing and drought-resistant, and they thrive in hot climates where many other plants wither.  Their branches are thin and spindly, and they produce clusters of delicate leaves.

Alright, so a moringa tree is a great option for your backyard if you live in the tropics or sub-tropics.  But otherwise, what’s the big deal?

Here’s the thing—moringa has been used for food, medicine, and even cosmetics for thousands of years.  According to an NIH study, virtually every part of the plant has been used in traditional medicine for virtually every known ailment.  It has been touted as a treatment for everything from the common cold to cancer (not an exaggeration—seriously, check out the research for yourself).  Whether or not these treatments actually work is hotly debated; but no one debates that they have been used for centuries. Even for otherwise healthy individuals, moringa is marketed as beneficial for maintaining health.  For these reasons, moringa leaves are often dried, powdered, and sold as a dietary supplement. 

While the bark, roots, flowers, and seedpods are all eaten and used for medicine, perhaps the most popular part to consume is the leaves.  Moringa leaves are one of the most nutrient-dense foods naturally available; they are packed with amino acids and may have antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.  Leaves can be eaten raw, dried, or cooked.  Harvested leaves should be dried in the shade (or at least, out of direct sunlight), as the sunlight can damage them and reduce their nutritional benefits. 

According to WebMD, moringa leaves “have iron, potassium, and calcium.  The leaves also have nine essential amino acids, and vitamins A, B, and C.  They’re full of protein and can be used as a substitute for meat, fish, and eggs.  Moringa leaves have been used to help treat malaria, arthritis, skin diseases, and diabetes.”  The roots, on the other hand, “can be ground to make a paste that tastes like horseradish.  The paste can help with snakebites, toothaches, and malaria.  But be careful—the roots and root extracts can be toxic to some animals.”  WebMD also cautions, “Eating large amounts of moringa might be dangerous. Though the leaves give pregnant mothers plenty of vitamins and minerals, the bark may cause uterine contractions.  Lab studies show that moringa could lead to liver and kidney damage, as well as infertility.”  On the flip side, other studies suggest that moringa leaves can boost male fertility specifically, so… I’m assuming more research is needed.

In line with the above warning, it should be noted that the roots, bark, and/or blossoms of the moringa tree may have been used in traditional medicine as abortifacients, and some studies show that chemicals contained in the roots and bark may cause damage to babies in the womb.  Therefore, if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, please do your own research before consuming any part of the moringa tree. 

So to summarize, not only are these trees hardy and drought-resistant, but also they are nutritionally-dense and can be used for medicine.  For these reasons, some believe that moringa will become essential in combating malnutrition in the developing world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.  Its hardiness will allow it to thrive in regions where drought and famine historically have plagued the local populations.  And it can even thrive in your own backyard.

Growing Moringa at Home

Because moringa is so hardy, it is relatively easy to grow from home, even from seed.  Small seedlings or seeds themselves are readily available to buy online.

Personally, I haven’t tried growing a moringa tree from seed.  But a friend of mine has.  She planted several moringa seeds, and all of them sprouted.  Within three months, the little trees each grew to about three feet tall.  She gave me a three-month-old bare-root seedling, which I potted for now. 

At first, I wasn’t sure the poor little guy was going to make it, as the transplanting damaged its taproot.  But again—moringa plants are surprisingly hardy.  Not only did it survive the initial transplant, but over the next few months, my little tree grew a couple inches and put out new branches and bright green leaves.  Once it’s a little bigger, I plan to transplant it again, this time into its forever home in the yard.  Of course, when I do that, I’ll have to amend the soil around it to promote better drainage (oh, the joys of living on clay…). 

But moringa doesn't require a yard to be happy. For those who live in a cooler climate (or in an apartment!), moringa does well in pots, so long as the pots are sufficiently large.  Growing moringa in pots allows you to bring the trees inside over the winter and leave them outside over the summer.  According to the Spruce, potted moringa “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.”

So there you have it!  Not only is the moringa tree a “miracle” tree in the developing world, but it can be a miracle tree in your own backyard. 

Would you consider growing moringa?  Are there any other exotic, nutrient-dense plants you’d recommend for the suburban homesteader on a budget?  Let me know in the comments!