Moringa hildebrandtii (Moringa)
Botanical name: Moringa hildebrandtii
Common name: Moringa
Family: Moringaceae
Origin: Madagascar
USDA Zone: 9-10
Plant form: Large tree; suitable for bonsai
Mature height: 20 ft or more
Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Regular; moderate
Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; large gardens
Foliage: DeciduousMoringa hildebrandtii (Moringa) is a beautiful and unusual tree that is native to Madagascar and can be used as a bonsai. It has a massive, water-storing trunk that can grow up to 20 feet in height and its pinnately compound leaves are up to a meter long. Its leaf rachis and stem tip are often a distinctive deep red and its small whitish flowers are borne in large sprays.
Moringa is generally a hardy plant, able to tolerate most soil types and conditions and prefers full sun, though some shade is beneficial. It needs regular watering, with more water during the growing season and reduced watering during the dormant season. It can withstand moderate drought, but it may suffer from high winds and cold frost, so it should be grown in a sheltered spot. In cooler climates, it can be grown in warmed greenhouses.
Propagating Moringa can be done from seed or cuttings. For those living in cooler climates, the tree can be successfully grown in pot to protect it from the cold temperatures. It is best grown in USDA Zones 9-11. Provide the tree with plenty of sunlight and a well-draining soil. Water regularly to keep the soil moist and monitor the soil moisture level to ensure it doesn't dry out.
Similar plants: Moringa hildebrandtii (Moringa)
