The moringa tree is a tropical and subtropical plant that grows well in warm climates, being native to India, Africa and other subtropical regions. Moringa is known for its very nutritious fruits and leaves. Thanks to their rapid growth and medicinal properties, these trees have become common in gardens around the world. You can grow them outdoors if your area falls under USDA 9-11 or in pots in colder regions. By planting seeds or growing a tree from a cutting, you too can produce this "miracle food" in your own home!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planting a Moringa Tree
Step 1. Buy moringa seeds online
Since these are not common plants, local nurseries may not have them. Many online retailers offer the seeds in large quantities. Buy the right amount for you.
If you have any seeds left over, you can eat them once the outer shell is removed. Chew them well
Step 2. Plant a cutting instead of a seed if you have an adult plant available
Moringa can grow from a cut branch of an adult tree. Cut a 1 meter long branch that is about 2.5 cm in diameter. Choose a healthy one. Make a diagonal cut with shears on both ends of the branch, making sure it stays at least 1 meter long.
Step 3. Fill a 40 liter pot with a mix of earth (85%), sand (10%) and compost (5%)
Moringa needs a soil that drains well, otherwise the seeds will be soaked with water. By mixing the earth with sand and compost, you will create a nutritious mix that optimally drains for your new moringa seeds.
Adjust the amount of sand and compost based on the soil you use
Step 4. Plant the moringa in the pot
These trees can't survive if winter temperatures drop below freezing, so keep them in pots so you can carry them indoors and out easily. If the temperature never drops this low in your area, you can plant moringa directly outdoors, in soil with a similar composition to that described above.
- If you have decided to plant the seeds, remove the shells and plant them 2.5cm deep, 5cm apart. Push them with your fingers under the ground.
- If you are planting a cutting, leave the nodes exposed and push it one-third into a 60-liter pot. Compact the soil with your hands so that the branch can stand up on its own.
Step 5. Water the soil with a watering can until it is moist
The soil should be wet, but not soggy. If you notice puddles forming, you have overdid it and the soil probably doesn't have good drainage. Check the level of humidity by sticking your finger into the earth, up to the first knuckle.
Water once a week or more, depending on the climate, to keep the soil moist
Step 6. Change the pot of the seedlings that have grown from seeds when they reach 15-20 cm in height
When they reach that size, they start competing for the soil's resources and each plant must be moved into its own pot. Use a ruler or tool carefully to loosen the soil around each seedling. Lift the root ball and place it in the new pot.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Moringa Trees
Step 1. Keep the moringa in a well-lit spot, outdoors or indoors
To grow strong and healthy, these trees need around 6 hours of direct light. They come from tropical areas, so they need all the light they can get. Keep them in an area that is sunlit throughout the day.
Step 2. Water the moringa once a week
While these trees withstand drought well, you should still water them weekly as they grow. Stick your finger into the ground, up to the second knuckle. If it feels dry, it's time to water. However, be careful not to overdo it, or the roots will get submerged in water and may rot.
If it rained during the week, the moringa has already received enough water
Step 3. Use the pruning shears to prune the moringa
When these trees start growing, they do so rapidly over the course of a year. When they reach 2.5-3 meters, prune them so they stay at the desired height. You can dry out any branches you remove and use them to get other plants.
Step 4. Keep the moringa indoors when the temperature drops below 0 ° C
If you live in a temperate area, you should keep these trees indoors or in a greenhouse during the winter. In fact, they are vulnerable to frosts and will not survive the winter.
- Moringa can grow up to nearly two meters in a year, so decide where to put these plants by considering the space available to you.
- You can regrow moringa every year from cuttings taken from previous seasons. The cuttings of these trees are the same age as the plants from which they were cut.
Part 3 of 3: Picking and Using the Plant
Step 1. Pluck the pods when they reach 10-12.5mm in diameter
You can detach them from the plant and use them to prepare recipes or herbal teas. If you wait for them to mature, the inside may have a fibrous and unpleasant texture.
Boil the pods until tender, then squeeze them to eat the pulp inside. The outer part of the pod is fibrous and inedible
Step 2. Detach the leaves once the tree reaches 90 cm in height
Moringa leaves are considered a "superfood" and you can detach them whenever you want once the plant has reached 90cm in height. This way, when you pull off the leaves by hand, the branches will be strong enough and won't break.
Infuse the moringa leaves to make a herbal tea or use them in smoothies and salads to fill up on nutrients
Step 3. Pulverize the leaves
Dry them in a dryer or by leaving them hanging. Once they become crumbly and puckered, peel them off the stem with your hands. To reduce them to powder, you can use a mixer or mortar.
- You can add moringa powder to any dish, one teaspoon at a time.
- You can dry the leaves or eat them fresh.
Step 4. Use moringa for medical or nutritional needs
These plants are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. People consume them to fight inflammation, arthritis, belly pains and asthma. It is possible to eat seeds, fruits and leaves.
Moringa roots have the scent of horseradish and are inedible because they contain toxins
Advice
If you live in an area where the temperature never drops below 10 ° C, you can plant moringa trees directly in the ground instead of in pots
Warnings
- You shouldn't eat moringa roots as they contain toxins that can cause paralysis.
- For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding it is recommended not to consume moringa.
