Moringa Moringa oleifera
Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Moringaceae family, native to Foothills of the Himalayas (northern India). It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Moringa in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Moringa at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Moringaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: leaves, immature pods, seeds, flowers |
| Native to | Foothills of the Himalayas (northern India) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇮🇳 India, 🇵🇭 Philippines |
Is Moringa toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: root bark, bark
Root and bark contain alkaloids and should not be eaten; leaves and pods are widely eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Moringa
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Moringa in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (2 plants)
Questions about Moringa
- How far apart should I plant Moringa?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft).
- Does Moringa need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Moringa need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Moringa?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Moringa flower?
- From about March for 9–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Moringa poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Root and bark contain alkaloids and should not be eaten; leaves and pods are widely eaten.
- What grows well with Moringa?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Moringa. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree that is often pruned back to 2-3 m for easy harvest. Brittle wood; sheds leaves in cold or dry spells; frost kills top growth.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- African moringa (cabbage tree, shiferaw) Moringa stenopetala
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- English yew Taxus baccata
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata
- Saucer magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana