The moringa tree has gained increasing recognition and popularity in Arizona’s low desert in recent years, and for good reason. It possesses nearly every quality one could wish for in a desert-adapted plant:
- Heat tolerance: Moringa trees aren’t fazed by temperatures as high as 115°F. In fact, they thrive in the intense summer heat.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, moringa trees can survive with occasional deep watering—perhaps once a month in summer and none in other seasons. In favorable conditions, they may even survive on rainfall alone.
- Pest and disease resistance: In my garden, I have grown dozens of moringa trees, large and small, and have yet to encounter a single pest or disease problem.
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Attractive to pollinators: Their delicate, fragrant flowers attract bees and hummingbirds, making them a welcome addition to a wildlife-friendly garden.
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Exceptional nutritional value: Often called the “Tree of Life,” moringa offers an abundance of edible parts, including leaves, flowers, young seed pods, and mature seeds. Its leaves, in particular, are prized for their high nutritional density.
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Excellent for green manure and composting: Moringa seeds germinate readily in the intense summer heat, making it easy to grow additional plants for green manure to enrich the soil. The tree’s tender leaves and trimmings also decompose quickly, providing valuable organic matter for the compost bin.
- Rapid growth: Moringa can grow several feet in a single summer, making it useful for creating seasonal shade in Arizona gardens.
A word of caution – Keep the moringa tree away from swimming pools. Moringa trees shed leaves, flowers, and seed pods, which can create considerable debris. Avoid planting them near swimming pools to minimize maintenance and keep the water clean.
Homegrown, organically cultivated, hand-selected moringa seeds from the latest harvest available at Song of Natural Medicine. Fresh leaves also available at request. Please call us at 480-388-0099 to for details.