Their tasty seeds make this plant perfect for edible landscaping.
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A familiar fruit in the Bible, pomegranates (Punica granatum) have been cultivated since antiquity.
These are long-lasting, drought tolerant plants when established.
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They also are very malleable.
There are dwarf forms for containers and ornamental types grown primarily for their flowers.
The flowers support bees and hummingbirds.
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The fruit is known for itsjuicy seedsthat are tasty as well as nutritious.
Plant pomegranate shrubs in USDA Zones 9 or warmer anytime of year.
In colder regions, plant in early spring after the last frost.
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These are full sun, woody plantsgreat for edible landscaping.
There are many cultivars as well as heirloom types that have done well in particular areas for years.
It is best to find one that is known to thrive in your area.
Contact your local extension office or edible plant nursery for recommendations.
In the beginning, they have to be pruned to be shaped into a tree or shrub form.
The plant should also be fertilized for the first few years.
When mature, they will need an annual pruning to remove suckers but should not need fertilizer.
Once established, they aredrought tolerant.
However, for best fruit production, double-check the soil moisture is consistent.
Like tomatoes, strong fluctuations between wet and dry periods will adversely affect the fruit.
Light
Pomegranates need to be grown in full sun, at least six hours a day.
Soil
Although they are tolerant of poor soil, they must have well-drained soil.
This is important if grown in a container, which needs to have drainage holes.
They do best in neutral to alkaline soil that is sandy or loamy.
Water
Immediately after planting,water well.
Water weekly during the first year to keep the soil moist and not soggy.
As plants grow, water at the base of the plant, not overhead.
Water in the morning, not in the evening.
Indoor plants should be watered once a week.
They can withstand cold temperatures to 12oF and can be damaged by frost.
In colder areas, plant them in containers and bring them indoors during winter.
Apply one time during spring, or apply monthly from May through August.
Ornamental varieties are grown for their flowers.
Note that some have thorns on the branches.
Dwarf varieties can grow to 3 feet tall and wide.
Usually, these can survive temperatures down to 5F.
To maintain the shape, prune unwanted suckers (and any dead branches) in the summer every year.
Plant Propagation
Pomegranates can be propagated fromstem cuttingsto create clones so you can maintain the desired characteristics.
However, most plants at the garden centers are trademarked cultivars so it is best to check first.
Home gardeners can either take softwood cuttings or hardwood cuttings.
Commercial nurseries usually propagate and sell hardwood cuttings.
In the summer, containers can be used to initiate the rooting process as they should provide good drainage.
Seeds can be sowed directly in the garden bed or container or started inside under lights in the spring.
Ensure the pot has lots of drainage holes.
Use well-draining potting mix, or add perlite or pumice to improve drainage.
Cover with more soil.
Water thoroughly, and mulch the top of the soil to retain moisture.
When outdoor temperatures drop below 40oF, bring the plant indoors near a sunny window.
You canrepot the plantevery few years to keep the plant from becoming root-bound in the pot.
Overwintering
When growing pomegranates for their fruit, select one that is hardy to your area.
Pomegranates may beattacked by mealybugs, scale, and whiteflies.
To control whiteflies, which cluster underneath the leaves, spray the plants with insecticidal soap.
They flower on the previous years growth, so verify you do not prune those branches off.
Too much water, fluctuations in weather, and age can all have an impact on the plant.
Most problems are easy to resolve with change in care.
Leaves Turning Yellow
This can be a sign of several problems with a pomegranate.
Too much water can lead to root rot, and pomegranates like to dry out between waterings.
Don’t oversaturate the soil when watering, and enhance soil drainage.
Fertilizer can help boost the nutrients.
This is resulting from fluctuating rainfalltoo wet, then too dry.
Even out the soil moisture by mulching and irrigating during dry periods.
Increase the light by moving to a better spot or pruning away branches from nearby trees.
Increase chances of pollination by planting more plants of different types.
check that you have enough bees in the area and are not spraying with chemicals that can harm them.
Another option is to hand pollinate by brushing the flower parts with a small paint brush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pomegranates have been touted as a superfood.
The raw seeds provide fiber.
A whole fruit can be stored in the fridge for up to two months.
To cut a fruit open, slice off the stem end of the fruit to make a flat surface.
Score the skin along each side of the segments and then pull the fruit apart to expose the seeds.
The seeds can be pulled from the membrane tissue easily.
Some people remove the seeds in a bowl full of water because the messy seeds can stain.
These plants can live a long time, up to 200 years with proper care and conditions.
They do decline after about 20 years.
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