Pomegranate Plant Care: How To Grow This Fruiting Plant?

In addition to bearing excellent fruit, Pomegranate plants (Punica granatum) are easy to care for in a warm area. It typically takes this fruiting plant three to six years to reach maturity and produce its distinctive red, leathery fruit that is packed with delicious, edible seeds.

However, it is not solely about the fruit. Because they are such pretty flowering shrubs, pomegranates are frequently grown only as landscaping or ornamentals. Some bloom gorgeously for months at a time. Others yield ornamental berries that are smaller and ideal for flower arrangements and wreaths. Moreover, the blooms of the pomegranate plant also attract many pollinators, such as hummingbirds.

Smaller areas, containers, hedges, and even bonsai can be used with dwarf choices. However, pets shouldn’t be given the seeds, even if they are not harmful, as they may upset their stomachs. So without further ado, let’s explore more about pomegranate plant care and how you can grow this plant in your fruit garden.

Planting a Pomegranate Plant

To start planting your pomegranate plant, you first need to select the site for your plant. Choose a sunny and warm location as pomegranate plants are drought-tolerant. Loosen the soil before planting and make sure it is not too wet.

Space the plants according to your preference for growing them. If grown as spreading shrubs, keep the space between 6 to 9 feet, and if grown for fruit production, keep the spacing around 15 feet. Dig a hole as big as the root ball in the ground.

Young pomegranate plants should be planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed in your area.

Pomegranate Plant Care

Light

The more sunlight, the better. Pomegranates require at least six hours to thrive, but they can withstand four hours. To remain growing and blooming throughout the winter, evergreen kinds like “Nana” that are grown in pots indoors require the sunniest window possible. You may also want to use a grow light.

Water

Although pomegranate plants are drought-tolerant, good fruit production requires irrigation. When planting new trees during the dry season, water deeply every two to four weeks.

But take care not to overwater. A poor harvest can result from too much water and wet circumstances. Additionally, the fruit will be more likely to split, raising the possibility of fungal and pest issues.

Temperature and Humidity

Warm, dry climates with summer temperatures of 85ºF or higher are ideal for pomegranate plant growth. Although they may be cultivated in warm, humid climates, the humidity may hinder fruiting, and they may have more fungal problems. Even though frost can harm them, they can tolerate temperatures as low as 12ºF.

For better pomegranate plant care, place them in containers in cooler climates and bring them inside for the winter.

Soil

Although it may grow in a wide range of soil types, from poor-quality alkaline soils to the desired acid loam, the pomegranate plant requires well-drained soil.

Fertilizer

You can reach that first crop of fruit in fewer years if you fertilize for a year or two during the growth season. Additional nutrients can increase the frequency of bloom for ornamental flowering varieties. Apply a layer of manure or compost around your plant, or use all-purpose fertilizer. However, if you like to be hands-off, fertilizer is not required.

Without fertilizer, you can still have robust, visually appealing, and fruit-filled pomegranate plants. If you decide to do so, apply fertilizer once in mid-to-late spring or once a month from mid-May to August.

Pruning

Pruning the pomegranate plant depends on your choice of growing it as a shrub, single, or multi-trunk plant. This plant starts spreading from the base, and if you plan on expanding it as a shrub, don’t shape it too much, as it can ruin its natural appearance.

To grow your pomegranate plant as a tree, you need to shape it from the 1st year by selecting the stems you want to develop into trunks. Cut the suckers at the base to prevent your plant from reverting to the shrub form.

Plan to prune your pomegranate plant in the winter when it has stopped leafing out. Get rid of the winter damage and diseased parts.

Potting and Repotting

Potted plants need more attention and care than grounded pomegranate plants. Use any standard soil mix for container plants. Change the soil and repot the plant every 2 to 3 years. You can also propagate your plant during repotting by following the steps in the next section.

Propagating Pomegranate Plants

You can propagate your pomegranate plant via stem cuttings or by dividing a sucker from the base of the plant. Here are the steps you can follow for each method –

Stem Cuttings

You can choose hardwood in winter or softwood in summer for this method; however, the steps to propagate the plant remain the same. –

• Select and cut a 10-inch-long stem in the winter when the plant is dormant.
• Dip the end in rooting hormone and insert the cutting in a sunny and well-draining area in your garden.
• This area is only temporary, as the cutting would need to be moved after it starts rooting.
• Water the cutting well and check for rooting in summer.

For softwood cutting in summer, follow the same steps and insert the cutting in pots before moving it to the ground.

Dividing

Select and divide a sucker with a few pieces of root from the base of the plant and pot it in a container. Keep the division thoroughly moist and out of direct sunlight until it starts developing new growth.

Note: Before you plan on propagating your pomegranate plant, make sure it is not a trademarked cultivar.

Harvesting Promaganate Fruits

To harvest the delicious pomegranate fruits, you’ll need to wait for around 3 to 6 years. Pick the best fruits by looking for these signs –

• Prominent red color on the fruits.
• Matte look instead of a glossy appearance.
• Hexagonal fruit shape.
• Fruits make a metallic sound on the tap.

To carefully harvest the fruits, use clean and sharp garden tools such as pruning shears. Cut the stems above the fruits and store them in a temperature range between 30 and 40ºF.

Common Problems With The Pomegranate Plant

Although pomegranate plant care is easy, you might still face various plant problems, such as –

• Pests and Diseases – Several pests, such as scale insects, mealybugs, thrips, and whiteflies. Healthy and robust pomegranate plants rarely get affected by diseases. However, keep a regular check on your plants for any signs of disease and pest infestation.
• Yellow Leaves – Plant leaves turning yellow is a sign of too much watering, causing root rot. Pomegranate plants like dry spells between waterings. For better pomegranate plant care, keep a strict watering schedule and don’t overwater your plants. Additionally, in older plants, yellowing can be a sign of a deficiency of nutrients like magnesium, iron, or nitrogen. Fertilize your plants to prevent this.
• Low Fruit Production – First, make sure your pomegranate plant belongs to a fruiting variety and not a strictly flowering variety. Secondly, give your plant some time as pomegranate trees take a few years to fully mature. Then make sure your plant is receiving enough sunlight and pollination to produce fruits. You can prune some branches to allow more sunlight and hand-pollinate your plant using a small paintbrush.
• Crack/Splits on Fruits – Irregular watering and rain can cause splits or cracks on fruits. You can still eat these fruits, but only if they are not rotted from the inside.

Conclusion

Pomegranate plant care is easy, and you can grow this fruiting plant either in a garden or in a pot for your indoor garden. This plant produces delicious fruits that can be enjoyed raw or in juices. With this guide, you can easily start growing pomegranate plants and propagate your plant. So make sure to grow this plant in your fruit garden and download the Plantora App to learn more about growing and caring for a variety of plants.