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Learn to grow pomegranates like the professionals. These naturally sweet Mediterranean treats are some of the most nutrient-dense fruits you can harvest yourself. However, some health-minded homeowners may feel uneasy branching out (pun intended) to cultivating fruit trees, especially the exotic pomegranate.
But we’re here to tell you that growing pomegranates doesn’t have to be intimidating!
Planting a single tree or a whole grove? Look no further than our official PrivacyShrubs Pomegranate Guide. With this comprehensive article, our team of tree specialists will give you expert practices for planting, nurturing, and caring for your pomegranate trees.
Or do you need practical solutions to common pomegranate problems? We’ve got you covered with simple, to-the-point tips made for growers and home-gardeners alike.
Short on Time? Check Out Our Key Takeaways
Pomegranates are nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory fruits that improve heart, skin, and digestive health.
Most pomegranate trees grow best in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.2.
Pomegranates thrive when produced in USDA Growing Zones 8 to 11.
Gardeners can choose the best pomegranate tree seedling from PrivacyShrubs’ extensive selection.
Pomegranate trees can start bearing fruit as early as 3 years after planting.
Prevention of pest, disease, and environmental damage is critical for long-term pomegranate tree health.
For additional guidance, gardeners should seek help from our team of experts.
Pomegranate Tree Basics and Specification
Here is a table with the physical specifications for pomegranate trees:
Pomegranate Tree Physical Specifications
Characteristic | Description |
Mature Height | 16-33 feet (5-10 meters) |
Mature Spread | 12-20 feet (3.6-6 meters) |
Growth Habit | Shrub-like, multi-trunked or can be pruned to a single trunk, spreading form with a rounded canopy |
Foliage | Deciduous, glossy green leaves that turn yellow and drop in the fall, small to medium size, 2-4 inches long |
Flowers | Bright scarlet or red, funnel-shaped, 1-3 inches wide, blooming from spring to fall, fragrant |
Bark | Twisted stems with spiny, gray bark |
Root System | Shallow, fibrous root system, requiring well-drained soil to prevent root rot |
Pomegranate Tree Planting Specifications
Characteristic | Description |
USDA Hardiness Zones | 8-11 |
Sun Exposure | Full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily |
Soil Requirements | Well-drained soil prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.2), adaptable to various soil types, including loamy and sandy |
Water Requirements | Drought-tolerant once established, regular deep watering during the growing season, especially the first few years |
Drought Tolerance | Moderate to high, once established |
Salt Tolerance | Moderate |
Pest Resistance | Generally resistant, but can be affected by aphids, scale, and whiteflies |
Maintenance | Low to moderate; requires regular pruning to remove suckers and maintain shape |
Landscape Use | Specimen tree, hedging, screening, can be grown in containers or as a small tree or large shrub |
Environmental Needs for Growing Pomegranates
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Starting with the right pomegranate tree is the first step to a healthy pomegranate bounty. When choosing your pomegranate tree, you should consider:
Your growing zone.
Cold-Hardiness: Most pomegranate trees are cold-hardy down to 12°F [-11.1°C], with some types tolerant to temperatures as low as 7°F [-13.9°C]. Some may be able to withstand even lower temperatures, but we don’t recommend it. Furthermore, sturdy cold protection (like frost blankets, sheets with breathable fabric, etc.) will be necessary for protecting the plant in colder zones.
Heat-Tolerance: Pomegranate trees are heat-tolerant and thrive when grown above 85°F [29.4°C] for at least 4 months of the year.
Your microclimate and growing conditions.
Drought-Tolerance: Pomegranates are relatively drought-tolerant, but young trees require lots of water when being established. This is especially critical for those who want to produce the fruit commercially.
Soil Types: Pomegranates prefer loamy, well-draining soil but can withstand sandy and clay soils. Growers should aim for a soil pH range between 5.5 and 7.2.
Sun Exposure: Pomegranate trees need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce a good fruit yield.
How to Plant Pomegranate Trees
Below,we’ve outlined step-by-step instructions for planting the healthiest pomegranate trees:
Plant in late winter or early spring. You want to allow your pomegranate tree to develop stronger roots before they start top growth in the summer or go dormant in winter.
Choose the planting location. Pomegranate trees prefer full sun to produce the best fruit. Be sure to select an area with well-draining soil and good air circulation, which can be accomplished by planting your trees on a gentle slope.Expert Tip: While pomegranates can be planted directly in the ground, planting in raised beds may provide better results, especially in areas with poor soil drainage.
Test and adjust the soil, as needed. Pomegranate trees need well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.2. If possible, avoid clay-heavy soil or soil that’s extremely sandy.
We recommend soil testing first (you can do this for free or low cost by sending a sample to your local agricultural extension office).
The ideal pH level for commercial growers is 6.5. Most growers will benefit from adding dolomitic limestone and phosphorus to the soil before planting. Our plant experts can help you determine how to amend your soil for optimal growth. Contact us to get started.
Plant the tree. If planting only one or two trees, you can use a simple shovel. If you’re planting a grove, we recommend using a mechanical planter. You can also use or rent a planting auger. If you don’t have access to a planting auger or mechanical planter, consider purchasing an auger drill attachment. This is an affordable alternative to expensive planting equipment.
Step 1: Use the size of the tree’s root ball to determine the hole size.
Step 2: Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball (think top to bottom). Then dig the hole to be twice as wide as the root ball (think the diameter of the root ball, x2).
Step 3: If planting multiple trees, make sure to place each with enough space in between. On average, most pomegranate trees should be planted at least 18 feet apart.
Step 4: Prepare the tree by removing it from its container, “tickling” and pulling at its roots to avoid root locking (compaction).
Step 5: Place the plant in the center of the hole, ensuring that the bottom of the exposed trunk is level with the ground. You risk root rot or exposure if placed too low or too high. Do not twist or bend the roots in the planting hole.
Step 6: Backfill the dirt, adding in fertilizer or other soil amendments, if needed. Tamp down the soil to remove air pockets, but don’t compact the soil.
Water generously. Give your young pomegranate a good drink (low and slow—if possible, set your water hose near the tree roots on a low flow rather than dumping buckets of water all at once). This gives the roots time to thoroughly absorb the moisture.
Expert Tip: If setting up irrigation to water your trees, opt for drip irrigation (slow and steady, watering directly at the roots). Overhead irrigation (water sprinkling from above) can worsen your fruit yield and spread disease.
Mulch correctly. As we state in all our planting guides, do not create a mulch mound. Add 2-3 inches of mulch to the planting area in a donut to retain moisture and prevent weeds effectively. If the mulch covers the trunk at all, you risk root rotting and other damage.
Pomegranate Tree Growth & Maintenance
Congratulations! Your PrivacyShrubs Pomegranate tree has been planted, and we know that the first step is always the hardest! Now it’s time to learn how you’ll nurture your tree to produce the most bountiful harvests.
For the first several years, your pomegranate tree will unlikely yield fruit as it establishes. However, this is a critical period for proper care.
Watering & Irrigation
Your young tree will establish its roots in the first year. Water it regularly (especially during dry periods), but don’t overdo it. As we said before, avoid overhead watering and opt for drip irrigation, if possible.
As the tree grows, keeping the soil moist (but well-drained) is important, especially during dry periods. While pomegranates are drought-tolerant, you’ll get far better results if you maintain soil moisture throughout prolonged droughts. This will reduce fruit splitting when rainfall eventually returns.
Expert Tip: Your pomegranate trees should not sit in standing water for too long, or else you risk fruit splitting and increased diseases.
Ongoing & Seasonal Damage Prevention
Keep the area around the base free from weeds and consider using a tree guard to prevent damage from pests or mechanical equipment (like lawn mowers).
Pruning
Pomegranate trees have different pruning needs depending on their age.
Year 1: During the first summer, you can remove “suckers” from the tree to promote better growth. Suckers are water-hogging shoots that sprout low on the trunk. How you handle suckers also determines your tree-shaping method in the following years.
Year 2: During late dormancy of the second year, you can begin regularly pruning and shaping your trees. Aim to prune branches by ⅓ in the winter. This is also the time to remove crossing branches and suckers (you will still remove suckers during the summer, as well). However, leave 3-5 shoots per branch. For information on tree shaping/training, see the next section.
Year 3 and Onwards: Pomegranate trees start bearing fruit around 3-4 years of age (the timeframe may vary depending on your climate, soil quality, and specific tree variety). You can prune lightly each year to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches and to maintain the shape you want. Strategically prune to ensure there is enough space between branches for sunlight and spray pesticides to reach all parts of the tree. Do not prune too heavily, as this will lower your fruit yield.
Expert Tip: Aim to maintain a vase-like shape with plenty of sturdy branches that grow laterally. The branches need to be strong enough to support not only the weight of the tree but also the weight of the pomegranates. Keep in mind that taller trees don’t bear more fruit than shorter ones, so greater height should not be a goal of pruning.
Single-Trunk vs. Multi-Trunk Pomegranate Training
If you choose to “train” your pomegranate tree through pruning, you can opt for one of two methods: single-trunked or multi-trunked.
Single-Trunk Pomegranate
A single-trunk plant features a short trunk (12–18 inches) from which five to six main branches spread out, forming a vase shape.
Single-Trunk Pros:
Easy maintenance of the orchard floor
Lower costs for pruning suckers
Less ongoing labor
Single-Trunk Cons:
Greater initial effort (requires shaping of the canopy and installation of supporting wires)
Tree replacement if the trunk is damaged
To create a single-trunk pomegranate tree, prune all suckers but the strongest one. Then, allow only branches to grow from this main sucker.
Multi-Trunk Pomegranate
A multi-trunk plant starts with three to six strong branches emerging directly from the ground.
Multi-Trunk Pros:
Reduced need for supporting wires
Less effort upfront
Resilience to freeze damage (simply remove damaged branches and train the next strongest suckers to take their place)
Multi-Trunk Cons:
Greater ongoing labor costs (continuous removal of suckers)
For the multi-trunk system, let five or six strong suckers grow. Replace the main branches as needed, if damage occurs.
Expert Tip: Alternatively, you can opt for a compromise between these two methods by going with a triple-trunk system. We recommend those with freeze or other damage risk to avoid the single-trunk system, if possible.
Fertilization & Pollination
In the first year, you may not need to fertilize if you amended the soil well at planting.
In subsequent years, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring is beneficial. However, avoid over-fertilizing, as too much nitrogen can reduce fruit production. Remember to always follow the instructions on your fertilizer container.
As for pollination, pomegranates do not require hand pollination. Their main pollinators are insects and hummingbirds. Depending on your Zone, you can expect continuous blooms from April to June. Some varieties may even produce blooms into the fall.
Harvesting Pomegranates
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Harvesting pomegranates is relatively easy compared to similar crops and usually doesn't require much ladder work if the trees are pruned and trained well.
Early pomegranate varieties start ripening around late August, continuing until October (or early November for late varieties). Typically, you'll need to harvest pomegranates two to four times per season.
To determine if pomegranates are ready to pick, check their sugar and acid content, sugar-to-acid ratio, and color. For the 'Wonderful' variety, look for:
Acids below 1.85%
Sugar content above 16-17%
Sugar-to-acid ratio over 18.5
A Munsell color chart can help with determining rind color, but it should be used along with other tests since color can vary by season.
For personalized advice on deciding when to harvest your pomegranates, don’t hesitate to contact our plant experts. You can also reach out to your local extension office.
Expert Tip: Experienced growers can tap the fruit and listen for a metallic "ting" sound to determine ripeness.
How to Harvest
Use shears to cut as close to the fruit as possible to prevent the sharp wood from damaging other fruit in the harvesting container.
The fruit can be placed directly into orchard bins or into shoulder harness baskets like those used in apple harvesting. Be sure to handle the fruit gently to avoid sucking or cracking.
Pomegranate Problems & Solutions
Even with the best care, you might encounter some challenges. Here are common issues and how to address them.
Pest Symptoms | Possible Problem | Solution(s) |
| Aphids
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| Mealybugs |
Note: Use caution when applying neem oil. Neem oil can be toxic to plants if used in high concentrations or during extreme weather. |
| Leaf-Footed Bugs |
|
Disease Symptoms | Possible Problem | Solution(s) |
| Root Rot (Phytophthora) |
|
| Leaf Spot (Alternaria) |
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| Heart Rot (Fungal Disease) |
|
Environmental Damage Symptoms | Possible Problem | Solution(s) |
| Drought Stress |
|
| Frost Damage |
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| Sunburn |
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| Nitrogen Deficiency |
|
| Iron Deficiency |
|
| Magnesium Deficiency |
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Why Choose Our Pomegranate Tree Seedlings?
Starting with fast growing privacy tree seedlings is crucial for growing successful pomegranate trees. We only source our seedlings from certified, reputable growers, ensuring you get the healthiest and most resilient plants. Whether you're adding a few trees to your garden or establishing a commercial orchard, we're here to support your goals.
Explore our online store to find the perfect tree from our wide selection of pomegranate varieties. Our friendly experts are ready to answer your questions, offer personalized recommendations, and guide you through every step of the growing process. You don’t have to go it alone!
Pomegranate Tree FAQs
How long does it take for a pomegranate tree to bear fruit? Pomegranate trees typically start bearing fruit 3–4 years after planting.
What is the best time of year to plant a pomegranate tree? Early spring after the last frost or fall in warmer climates are the best times to plant pomegranate trees.
How often should I water my pomegranate tree? Water young trees regularly, especially during dry periods. Established trees can tolerate drought but produce better fruit with consistent moisture. However, hold off watering if the soil feels moist more than two inches down.
Can I grow pomegranate trees in containers? Yes, pomegranate trees can be grown in large containers. Choose a dwarf variety and ensure the container has good drainage. Also remember that container-grown trees may require more frequent watering and fertilization.
What is the best fertilizer for pomegranate trees? Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.
What about organic cultivation of pomegranate trees? In addition to selecting an organic variety, avoid synthetic fertilizers to maintain organic certification. Organic fertilizers include compost, manure, bone meal, and blood meal.
