Moringa oleifera ( Miracle Tree ) is a fast-growing tree that is native to India and is popular for its use as a vegetable, herbal medicine and for water purification. Packed full of vitamins and minerals, Miracle Tree is easy to grow, is drought resistant and can be harvested within sixty days, flowering within just eight months. In warmer climates trees can grow up to 6 metres (20 feet) in their first year.
Moringa oleifera is also commonly referred to as the Tree of Life, Drumstick Tree, Ben Oil Tree, Moringa Tree, Horseradish Tree or as Malunggay in some parts of Asia.
Suitable for Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates but can be grown in colder climates if pruned back and brought indoors or placed in a greenhouse over winter.
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Growth
Moringa oleifera is a flowering tree that reaches heights of up to 12 metres (39 feet) and up to 8 metres (25 feet) wide. The tree has an open crown with fragile branches and feather-like leaves that build up a foliage of tripinnate leaves. The fragrant white flowers can be found within the first growing season (in Summer) on slender, hairy stalks in spreading or drooping flower clusters which range from 10-25cm (4-10 inches) in length.
Miracle Trees prefer warmer climates where the nighttime temperatures remain above 10°C / 50°F. If given daytime temperatures above 25°C / 77°F young seedlings can grow very quickly. Regular pruning is useful to not only keep the tree under control, but to encourage the new growth of the highly prized young shoots.
Moringa oleifera does not tolerate frost or temperatures below 10°C / 50°F, so is often grown indoors or inside a greenhouse in temperate or colder climates. The fruits or seeds arrive in late spring or early summer and are rounded, have a thick shell and are usually shorter than 10cm (4 inches).
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Moringaceae
CLIMATE:
Sub-Tropical, Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10°C to 40°C / 50 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well drained, loamy or sandy.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 12 metres (39 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 8 metres (25 feet)
pH:
6.3-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by bees and insects.
MATURITY:
12-18 months.
GERMINATION RATES:
70-75%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for 6 hours, then 10-14 days
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy in the right climate
SEEDS PER KILOGRAM:
3500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1 year.
FACTS ABOUT MORINGA OLEIFERA (Miracle Tree)
Moringa oleifera trees can be harvested up to 7 times per year, each time being cut back to around 60 cm (2 feet) from the ground. Some farms in southern India where Miracle Trees often flower and fruit twice a year can produce up to 31 tons of seed pods per hectare per year.
Ground Miracle Tree seeds are also used to purify water. After crushing the seed kernels into a powder, they are added to the unclean water and stirred at regular intervals. Roughly 50-150 mg of seed powder is required per litre. Learn more about using Moringa for water purification here.
Moringa oleifera is said to have 7 times the amount of Vitamin C than oranges, 10 times more Vitamin A than carrots, 17 times more calcium than milk, 15 times more potassium than bananas and 25 times more iron than spinach. The leaves also contain more protein than an egg!
The Miracle tree is widely used for medicinal purposes throughout the world. Some of the benefits this species is said to have are for lowering blood glucose levels, as an anti-inflammatory & anti-oxidant, for reducing blood pressure & high cholesterol, to promote heart health, relieve arthritis and much more. For further information click here.
