Introduction
Growing pomegranate can be simple when the site is sunny and well drained. If you want to grow pomegranate successfully, focus on climate, planting depth, steady watering, and light pruning. This guide explains how to grow pomegranate from planting through harvest, including the main pomegranate growing stages.
Choose a Variety and Site
Do pomegranates grow on trees? Yes. Pomegranates naturally grow as multi-stem shrubs or small fruit trees. If you wonder what does a pomegranate tree look like, picture glossy green leaves, orange-red flowers, and round fruit on woody branches. How big do pomegranate trees get? Many reach about 10 to 20 feet tall and wide, depending on the cultivar and pruning.
Choose pomegranate varieties suited to your pomegranate growing zone. The pomegranate hardiness zone varies by cultivar, but many are grown in USDA Zones 7–10. Cold hardiness also depends on plant age and site conditions. Check your growing zone before selecting from available pomegranate trees. Full sun is best; aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight and soil with good drainage.
Planting a Pomegranate Tree
The best time to plant a pomegranate tree depends on whether you’re starting with a bare-root tree or a container-grown plant. Bare-root trees are generally planted during dormancy, while container-grown trees can be planted when conditions are mild and the soil is workable. Avoid planting during extreme heat or when the ground is frozen.
If you're wondering how long does it take for a pomegranate tree to grow, keep in mind that growth and fruit production depend on the tree's variety, age, climate, and growing conditions. Establishing the tree properly from the start helps support healthy growth and future harvests.
To plant a pomegranate tree, dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root system. Position the tree so the root flare is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill with the original soil, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots, and apply a layer of mulch while keeping it several inches away from the trunk.
Watering, Pruning, and Maintenance
Good pomegranate tree maintenance begins with consistent moisture while a young tree becomes established. Mature plants tolerate some drought, but steady irrigation supports fruit development. Sudden changes from dry soil to heavy rain or irrigation can contribute to fruit splitting. A soaker hose or drip system can provide slow, even watering.
Pomegranate trees naturally produce suckers around their base, so remove those you don’t want to keep. Prune out dead, damaged, or crossing branches to maintain a healthy structure and good airflow. Avoid excessive pruning, as heavy cutting can remove branches that would otherwise produce fruit. See our guide to pruning pomegranates as trees, shrubs, hedges, or espaliers for more options.
Pomegranate Growth and Harvest
How do pomegranates grow? Flowers appear after new seasonal growth, and some develop into fruit after pollination. Most cultivars are self-fruitful and can produce fruit alone, although cross pollination may sometimes improve fruit set. For a season-by-season look at pomegranate growing, see our pomegranate seasonal care guide.
How is pomegranate grown from seed? Growing pomegranate from seed is possible, but seedlings may differ from the parent plant. Gardeners learning how to grow pomegranate trees from seeds should expect a longer wait than with nursery plants because pomegranate seeds must first germinate and mature.
Harvest pomegranate fruit when it reaches the expected color and flavor for its cultivar. Some varieties become deep red, but not every ripe fruit is red fruit. Pomegranates do not meaningfully sweeten after picking, so sample one before harvesting the crop.
Conclusion
Learning how to cultivate pomegranate comes down to choosing the right cultivar, planting correctly, providing sun and steady moisture, and pruning lightly. Good pomegranate tree cultivation supports healthy plants throughout the growing season.
For more help with how to grow a pomegranate tree, watch our pomegranate growing video or keep the pomegranate field guide handy.
43 comments
Jill, you will need wires not so much for support but to tie the branches to as you train them. I don’t think that pomegranates are prone to any insect problems.
I live in Tucson and thinking of planting a Pom Tree. To train as an espalier do I need wires or does it support itself? ( sorry-not a gardener!).
Also I heard leaf bugs can be a problem…any comments?
Thanks, enjoy your site.
Teri, your tree just may not be mature enough to produce fruit to maturity. Make sure it is getting enough water and next spring you can give it a fruit tree fertilizer.
I just bought a house and found we have two pomegranate trees that are already bearing fruit but not maturing before dropping. How can we get the fruit to full maturation?
I heard pomegranate trees are tolerant to poor soils and dry conditions. I live in Tucson Az and I don’t water it much nor do I fertilize it either and it produces quite a bit of fruit. It hasn’t frozen either even with temperatures in the low 20’s.