Pomegranate

Plant Overview

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is listed in the Lythraceae family and categorized as a fruit with a perennial shrub or small tree life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.

Plant ID

PLT-0096

Family

Lythraceae

Plant type

Fruit

Life cycle

Perennial shrub or small tree

Native range

Northeastern Turkey through parts of Central and South Asia

Growth habit

Dense, deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with slender, sometimes thorny branches

Mature height

About 10-12 feet

Mature spread

About 8-10 feet

Difficulty

Moderate

Growing Conditions

Pomegranate is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; provide consistent moisture for good growth and fruit quality while avoiding prolonged waterlogging. The database soil reference is Deep, well-drained loam; also tolerates sandy and clay soils with good drainage. The listed soil pH range is 5.5-7.2, and the listed hardiness range is 7-11.

Hardiness zones

7-11

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Deep, well-drained loam; also tolerates sandy and clay soils with good drainage

Soil pH

5.5-7.2

Water needs

Moderate; provide consistent moisture for good growth and fruit quality while avoiding prolonged waterlogging

Plant spacing

Allow roughly 8-12 feet between full-size plants, depending on pruning and training

Seed & Germination

For propagation, the database note is seed propagation is mainly used for breeding or species propagation; named pomegranate cultivars are normally propagated vegetatively. Planting-depth guidance: Direct seed sowing is uncommon for maintaining named cultivars; nursery-grown plants or rooted cuttings are normally used. The listed time to maturity is Young plants may begin producing fruit within about 2-4 years, with yields increasing as the plant matures. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Seed propagation is mainly used for breeding or species propagation; named pomegranate cultivars are normally propagated vegetatively

Germination temperature

Exact seed-germination conditions vary; named cultivars are generally propagated vegetatively rather than from seed

Seed depth

Direct seed sowing is uncommon for maintaining named cultivars; nursery-grown plants or rooted cuttings are normally used

Sowing method

Usually established from rooted cuttings or nursery-grown plants rather than direct seeding

Start indoors

Not normally started indoors as a garden crop; use nursery-grown or vegetatively propagated plants

Transplanting

Plant nursery-grown pomegranates with roots protected from drying and set them near their previous growing depth

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Young plants may begin producing fruit within about 2-4 years, with yields increasing as the plant matures

Harvest

Harvest fully colored fruit at cultivar-appropriate ripeness; pomegranates do not continue ripening after harvest

Propagation

Commonly propagated by hardwood or softwood cuttings; seed may be used for breeding or species propagation

Seed saving

Seeds can be collected from fully ripe fruit, but seedlings may differ substantially from the parent cultivar

Pollination

Generally self-fruitful, though cross-pollination can also occur and insect activity can improve fruit set

Garden Information

Common pests

Leaffooted bugs, mealybugs, scale insects, whiteflies, aphids, and other fruit or foliage pests

Common diseases

Botrytis blight, root rot, fruit rots, leaf spots, and other fungal diseases

Uses

Fresh arils, juice, preserves, cooking, ornamental plantings, hedges, and edible landscapes