Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Drumstick (Moringa pods) (Moringa oleifera): Nutrient-dense pods from the Moringa tree — used extensively in South Indian cooking and medicine.
🔍 Quick Facts
| Common name | Drumstick (Moringa pods) |
| Other names | Sahjan ki phali (Hindi); Murungakkai (Tamil); Munagakaya (Telugu); Shevgyachya shenga (Marathi) |
| Scientific name | Moringa oleifera |
| Plant family | Moringaceae |
| Size | Pods 30–90 cm long, from a 5–12 m tree |
| Native region | India |
| Climate | Tropical |
| Ease of growing | Very Fast |
| Parts used | Pods, Flowers, Leaves |
About Drumstick
This profile covers moringa pods as a vegetable — for the tree itself, see our Moringa profile. Drumsticks are a staple of South Indian sambar and Maharashtrian and Bengali curries. The tender pods are cooked whole in pieces, and the soft flesh and seeds are scraped out with the teeth. PKM-1 and PKM-2 are annual varieties that start bearing in 6–8 months.
Botanically known as Moringa oleifera, it belongs to the Moringaceae family. It is native to India and grows best in a tropical climate. The parts most often used are the pods, flowers and leaves.
Uses & Nutrition
Drumstick is best known for:
- Calcium & iron source
- Joint health
- Digestive health
- Anti-inflammatory
- Bone health
How to Eat & Cook It
- Cut into pieces and cooked in sambar, avial and dal.
- Added to curries such as drumstick masala.
- Tender pods are pickled.
How to Grow Drumstick
| ☀️ Sunlight | Full sun. |
| 💧 Watering | Low to moderate. |
| 🪴 Soil | Sandy, well-drained soil. |
| 🌱 Propagation | Seeds of annual varieties, or cuttings of perennial types. |
| 📅 When to plant (India) | Sow in June–July; pods are ready from February onward. |
| 🏡 In pots / at home | Annual varieties can be grown in large drums if pruned. |
Precautions & Safety
- Generally safe as food.
- Very large amounts may lower blood sugar and blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Further Reading on Drumstick
Written by the WhyOnPlanet editorial team · Last updated October 2026