Moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera is nicknamed the 'Tree of Life', perhaps for its nutritional qualities and health benefits, but more likely due to its ability to survive very dry seasons thanks to its large tuberous root that stores water. It is a small tropical tree that grows very quickly, with elegant alfalfa-like foliage and fragrant flowering. Under our climates, it is an unusual and decorative indoor plant with a certain symbolism, very trendy. Moringa absolutely cannot tolerate frost, does not like temperature fluctuations, and requires warmth all year round. It is essential to cultivate it in a container. It will maintain a reasonable size, especially since it tolerates pruning very well. The container can eventually be taken out onto the terrace or balcony once nighttime temperatures are sufficiently high, and should be brought indoors into a heated room or conservatory from September onwards.

Moringa oleifera belongs to the family Moringaceae, which contains only the genus Moringa, including 13 species of trees from tropical to subtropical climates. It is a species native to India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, now cultivated or naturalized in many regions with a favorable climate. Many parts of the moringa are edible: the leaves, young pods, mature seeds and the oil they contain, flowers, and even the roots, which have a spicy flavor reminiscent of horseradish. It is primarily used as a vegetable in countries where it is cultivated, but as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules or in cosmetic products in temperate countries like ours.

In nature, Moringa oleifera can reach a height of 10-12 m (33-39ft). When grown in a container and regularly pruned, it will not exceed 2.50 m (8ft) to 3 m (10ft) in height with a crown width of 1.50 m (5ft). Its growth is very fast. This tree develops a powerful underground taproot, tuberous in nature, which serves as a reserve organ to withstand long periods of drought. The trunk is covered with a light-coloured bark, ranging from light grey to whitish, surrounded by a thick cork layer on older specimens. Several slender, trailing, and brittle branches with leaves at their tips emerge from the trunk. The overall, sparsely dense canopy somewhat resembles an umbrella. The foliage is deciduous. The leaves measure 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24in) in length and are composed of many small ovate leaflets measuring 1.3 to 2 cm (1in) in length and 0.6 to 0.3 cm (0in) in width. They are a bright, light green colour. The plant flowers at a young age, sometimes seven months after planting, between April and June in our climates. The fragrant, honey-scented flowers have five petals and measure 2 cm (1in) in diameter. They gather in more or less trailing clusters that emerge from the leaf axils. After pollination, pendulous, triangular, brown pods form, measuring 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24in) in length and 1.8 cm (1in) in width when ripe. When dry, they split longitudinally into three parts, each containing approximately 20 seeds embedded in a kind of pith. The dark brown seeds have three wings.

Moringa should be cultivated in a container with a volume sufficient to accommodate its large root. It is entirely possible to prune the plant to 1 or 2 m (3 or 7ft) above the ground each year in spring: this helps densify its foliage, allows for closer enjoyment of the flowers, and makes it easier to harvest leaves and fruits. Demanding in terms of heat but accommodating in terms of soil, as long as it is well-drained, it is a beautiful indoor plant that can be showcased in a contemporary or exotic-inspired decor. Enthusiasts of unusual plants can also adopt baobabs, agaves, banana trees, Ravenala, or even the bird of paradise Strelitzia reginae to bring a beautiful tropical touch to the patio or conservatory.