With our climate here in Hawaii getting drier almost every year, we need to start planting more drought tolerant plants. The moringa tree is definitely drought tolerant and a good choice for your garden. It has many uses and can thrive with limited water.
Though moringa trees have been grown throughout the tropics for centuries, they are likely native to dry areas of India and Pakistan. Moringa first arrived in Hawaii in 1860 when Dr. William Hillegrand planted one on his Honolulu property. His land later became Foster Botanical Garden, but seeds from his original tree did not survive.
Jose Magpoing arrived in Hawaii from the Philippines in 1909, bringing seeds from his favorite moringa tree smuggled inside his guitar. These seeds likely grew into the parent plants of most of the moringa found in Hawaii today.
Known botanically as Moringa oleifera, this tree is in the Horseradish-tree or Moringaceae family. The tree is aptly named, as the roots are harvested in some countries and used to replace horseradish, since the flavor is similar.
Many common names have been assigned to this plant that usually refer to its appearance or uses. It is sometimes called the drumstick tree referring to the size and shape of the pod that it produces. When young, the pods can be eaten either prepared like string beans or used in soups, stews or curries.
Sometimes moringa is called the ben oil tree, because the oil pressed from the seeds contains behenic acid. Though the oil has been used for millennia as a perfume base and as a lubricant for clocks and watches, it is actually an edible oil that is comparable to olive oil in flavor and properties. The pure oil has hydrating properties for skin and hair. Recent research has found that the oil also promotes relaxation and can be taken to support a good night’s sleep.
Ben oil can be extracted from moringa seeds in many ways. Several extraction techniques as well as more information about Moringa oleifera and its oil can be found in Specialty Crops for Pacific Islands edited by Craig Elevitch. Ted Radovich from UH authored the chapter on moringa. This 12-page chapter is available to download at https://agroforestry.net/images/pdfs/Moringa_specialty_crop.pdf.
Throughout the world, moringa trees are grown for the edible leaves, pods, seeds and roots. In many places, including the Philippines, it is known as malunggay. There and in other cultures the leaves are included in salads or used to flavor soups, stews or curries. Recipes that include the young pods abound in India, Thailand and the Philippines. In Malaysia, the seeds are roasted and eaten as a snack, like peanuts.
Here in Hawaii, home-owners often plant one or two moringa trees to provide nutritious food. The dried leaves contain 20 to 35% protein as well as ample amounts of essential amino acids, vitamins A and C as well as calcium and potassium. Their protein value makes the leaves as well as powder from dried leaves a valuable commercial product.
Moringa plant parts also have medicinal qualities. The seeds contain a natural antibiotic and the oil from the seeds has both antifungal and anti-bacterial qualities.
Moringa trees can also serve as ornamental plants in a small landscape. They have a lovely slender growth habit with drooping branches that hold many small compound leaves that are dark green. The foliage provides light shade and offers a nice textured accent to a garden.
Moringa can offer interest in a garden as a specimen plant. Clusters of small white to cream colored slightly fragrant flowers appear nearly year-round. Following flowering, the plant produces long ribbed bean pods. The pods are green when young and grow to nearly twenty inches as they mature, becoming dry and turning light brown.
The trees can grow to thirty feet tall, but people often coppice them by heavy pruning to keep them small and continually producing new leaves and pods. Beyond pruning to control size, moringa requires little care. Few pests or diseases are attracted to this tree. Once a problem is identified, it can usually be treated with oil and soap or sulfur.
Moringa trees grow easily from either seeds or cuttings. Once the pods are dry, seeds can be removed and planted in a moist seeding mix. They will usually germinate within two weeks and will grow rapidly.
Select stems that are at least one year old and are woody or semi-woody for best results from cuttings. Thick stems up to five feet long can actually provide a good start toward a mature tree. Start cuttings in a moist (not wet) media. Moringa’s soft wood and drought tolerance make it susceptible to root rot in wet soil.
When your seedlings or cuttings put out new leaves, they are ready to transplant out. They will do best in a hot, sunny location in soil with good drainage. Here in Kona, moringa trees will grow best at locations below 1000 feet in elevation and away from salt spray or strong winds.
Though strong winds can break their brittle branches if they are allowed to grow tall, moringas can be used in some locations as windbreaks or even living fence posts. Those grown from seeds are better able to withstand as seedlings are more likely to develop a long and strong tap root. Coppicing the trees at about four feet tall will encourage lateral growth, enabling them to better withstand wind.
Moringa is known world-wide as a miracle plant because of its edible and medicinal uses. Different cultures have found even more uses for this valuable plant. The leaves can be substituted for up to 45% of animal feed. The bark contains useful fiber for making mats, paper or cordage the sap can be used as a blue dye.
Maruyama Jones Moringa Farm is a good local source for moringa trees and moringa products. The farm is in the Kona ag lots at 73-887 Kupaloke Street. They sell trees as well as powder made from the dried leaves and oil pressed from the seeds. You can contact them at hello@maruyamajonesfarm.com or by calling 808-345-3054 or 808-497-8411. You may also find trees at Tropical Edibles Nursery in Captain Cook. Contact them at 808-328-0420 or tropicaledibles@gmail.com. Check with other local nurseries as well. Some may carry moringa trees.
Moringa is a small tree with many uses including being an interesting and attractive specimen plant. Its drought tolerance makes it a good choice for Kona landscapes. Consider including at least one on your property. You will likely be happy with your choice.
Gardening Events
Saturdays
• Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Visit the website www.amygreenwell.garden/get-involved/volunteer-1/ and sign up for the weekly email for more information on work days.
Tuesdays
• Coffee related webinars with live Q&A with the presenters, running January through April. These webinars will be hosted at the Kona Extension YouTube account and will be played on Zoom at noon Tuesdays beginning on Jan. 30. Topics, presenters, and presentation titles will be updated at https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/coffeewebinars.html.
Save the date
• Thursday, Feb. 22: “Coffee Pruning and Leaf/Soil Sampling Field Day” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Kona Research and Extension Center, 79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua. A discussion and demonstration of selective pruning methods. Registration is required. Contact Matt to register at least 2 days prior to the event at 808-322-0164
Farmer Direct Markets
(Check websites for the latest hours and online markets)
Wednesday
• Ho‘oulu Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay.
Saturday
• Keauhou Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center. Information can be found on their online market at keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket.
• Kamuela Farmer’s Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables.
• Waimea Town Market, 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea.
• Waimea Homestead Farmers Market, from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday
• Pure Kona Green Market, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook.
• Hamakua Harvest, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honokaa.
Plant advice lines anytime
• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu, 322-4893 or walk in, konamg@hawaii.edu.
• Mon., Tues. and Fri: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo, 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona.