When to Plant Moringa in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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This Moringa guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Oct to Jan
- Days to harvest
- about 104 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7.3
Moringa (horseradish tree, drumstick tree) is a fast, drought tolerant tree of the tropics and subtropics, reaching 5 to 10 m but pruned under 2 m for picking (Daleys, Green Harvest).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan P
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Plant October to January once soil is 25C; Green Harvest says semi-arid areas suit it and it is drought tolerant, but a Griffith grower found young plants very frost sensitive. Guard from winter frost for the first years. Months derived.
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How to Grow Moringa in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Well drained, even dry sandy soil (Green Harvest, Daleys).
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 5.5-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun (Daleys).
- Good companions
- Sweet Potato, Ginger, Turmeric
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Moringa
Recommended Varieties
- Moringa oleifera seedling
Key Challenges
- Winter frost on young trees
Pro Tips
- Frost cloth for the first winters
Harvesting Moringa
When ready: Young leaves any time the tree is in growth; pods while still slender and immature (Green Harvest).
How to harvest: Pick leaf shoots by hand; cut immature pods (Green Harvest).
Storing and preserving moringa
How to keep it
- Dried leaf. Dry leaves out of direct sun until crisp, crumble and store airtight; traditional method, no source opened. Keeps: 6-12 months.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
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- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Moringa
When do you plant moringa in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Feb, Sep to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Feb, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan, Oct to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan, Nov to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jan, Oct to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Oct to Dec
When should I plant Moringa in Alice Springs?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Plant October to January once soil is 25C; Green Harvest says semi-arid areas suit it and it is drought tolerant, but a Griffith grower found young plants very frost sensitive. Guard from winter frost for the first years. Months derived.
How do I know when Moringa are ready to harvest?
Young leaves any time the tree is in growth; pods while still slender and immature (Green Harvest).
What are the best Moringa varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Moringa oleifera seedling.
What grows well with Moringa?
Good companion plants for Moringa include: Sweet Potato, Ginger, Turmeric.
Are moringa salt tolerant?
Only a little. Moringa are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.