How to Grow Pomegranate

January 27, 2025 peacefulvalley

Pomegranates are ancient fruits prized for their antioxidant-rich seeds. Whether you want to grow a lush patio tree or enjoy homegrown superfoods, pomegranates are versatile, hardy, and rewarding to cultivate.

Planting Your Pomegranate Tree

Pomegranate trees thrive in USDA zones 7b to 12 and are most productive in arid climates, although they will also grow in subtropical areas like Florida or Hawaii. Follow these steps for planting:

Soil: Pomegranates prefer heavy loamy soil but will tolerate sandy or clay soils.
Container Growing: Use a Smart Pot filled with high-quality organic potting soil.
Sunlight: Ensure at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Planting Time: Plant in late winter or early spring. Rinse off the top inch of nursery soil to help roots establish, and plant at the same depth as in the nursery.

Shop Pomegranate Trees

Training and Pruning Pomegranates

You can train pomegranate trees as a single trunk tree or as a multi-trunk shrub, especially in colder zones. Here are some pruning tips:

Single Trunk: Remove branches lower than one foot from the trunk. Choose five to seven well-placed scaffolding branches for a strong structure.
Multi-Trunk Shrub: Ideal for zones with severe frosts (7b). This setup helps ensure regrowth even after freezing temperatures.
Annual Maintenance: Remove deadwood, thin the center for airflow, and cut back suckers. Lightly prune to encourage new fruiting wood.

Caring for Your Pomegranate Tree

Proper care ensures a healthy and productive pomegranate tree:

Watering: Pomegranates are drought-tolerant but benefit from deep watering every two to four weeks during summer to boost fruit production.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced fruit tree fertilizer like Fruit Tree Fertilizer in February, May, and September. Apply one ounce per foot of tree height.
Irrigation: Even moisture prevents fruit splitting during the fall.