How to Grow Pomegranates from Seed
80Growing pomegranates from seed is fun and very easy to do.
Punica granatum is the botanical name for the pomegranate tree/bush.
They are officially trees but they constantly thrown up suckers from the base giving them a bushy look. They can also be trained to grow as hedging where they will form an impenetrable barrier to keep unwanted visitors out, thanks to their spines.
The pomegrate makes the prettiest of trees, so worth growing even if you hate pomegranates, or live in an area where the fruit won’t form thanks to frosts.
The pomegranate tree is deciduous in all but the warmest climates (i.e. equatorial) and in early spring throw out the most beautiful, almost autumnal colours of yellow, red, orange and pale green. In autumn, the leaves of the pomegranate change again and even during their growing season they retain some colour other than green.
The pomegranate flowers are a glorious deep orangey/red and are followed by the fruit we know as the pomegranate.
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How to grow pomegranates from seed
The seeds from inside the pomegranate can be cleansed of their pulp, dried, and then planted to their depth in a compost-filled pot. This pot must be kept moist, preferably placed inside a sealed plastic bag.
Very quickly, the pomegranate seeds should germinate. When the seedling are big enough to handle, transfer to individual pots, and keep in a light position. A sunny windowsill is ideal, or a sunny terrace if you live in a subtropical area. Water daily but do not allow the pots to sit on water.
GROWING ON
By the end of the year the pomegranate seedlings should be big enough to transfer to large pots, to harden off before planting out.
Pomegranate trees can withstand temperatures down to minus 10 Celsius. If your area suffers lower temperatures, keep them indoors in pots during the winter.
I have two year old plants that are now in flower despite being told they would not flower for at least 5 years!
Pomegranate
The Pomegranate Tree
Flowering/Fruiting Pomegranate
Pomegranate tree growing conditions
Pomegranate trees like to grow in a well-drained position in full sun. After their first year or two when like all newly planted trees, they will not have much water requirements. Very few pests attack the pomegranate tree, but deer have been know to chew their leaves if you live in an area where deer wander free.
Pomegranate trees can grow to 20' - 30' high, although this is rare unless they are pruned to grow upright. If you cut the growing tip of the pomegranate when it is about 2' high, it will branch outwards and you will end up with a bush about 10'-12' feet high which is a much more manageable size.
The pomegranate benefits from annual pruning to remove dead and otherwise decayed branches. This encourages new and vigorous growth.
Hisptory of the Pomegranate
Pomegranate fruit have been mention in historical times but their most famous episode from biblical times came from when the Devil tempted Adam and Eve to taste the apple from the Garden of Eden.Many people now believe it was in fact, a pomegranate and not an apple.
In Greek mythology, Persephone was believed to have been condemned to spend half of eternity in Hades because she ate half of a pomegranate.
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You could try growing it in your kitchen windowsill now, DAL:) Then by next spring they may be big enough to plant out.
I grew my first pomegranates in Scotland where it is (supposedly) much colder, but strangely enough is considered USDA zone 9 (warmed by the Gulf stream). Again, they were grown in a unheated greenhouse.
IMO, the whole plant is beautiful ,not just the flowers.
Izzy - I'm reading this and saying to myself, 'oh, yeah, a pomegranate plant, I'll do it.' Then it's hold on, wait a minute - small house already with too many tropicals. But it's a great idea.
Try this one, it grows into a kind bush/tree. It is hardier than people thought, although it is officially subtropical. We've had ice and snow these last few weeks and none of mine seem to have died although it's hard to tell seeing they are deciduous. It is very easy to grow though and if you are a plant lover, you'll like this one:)
I grow my tree indoors, although it often dies and comes back to life.
It has flowers sometimes, but I've never had fruits. Maybe it's a male tree or something.
The pomegranate tree has male and female flowers both on the same plant. If you are growing it indoors, it will likely not get pollinated by insects, so you'll have to do it by hand. Use an artists paintbrush or something similar to transfer the pollen to the stigma and see what happens :)
I LOVE POMEGRANATE! I never knew you could just plant them using their own seeds though. I will have to try this. Thank you so much for this informative hub! :)
Little too cold here in Port Dover Ontario Canada - but certainly sounds fun. Oh to have a heated greenhouse!
I planted some in SCOTLAND two years ago and they are still alive and growing well(growing outside).
Scotland does not get as cold as we do - we get temperature to minus 25-30 below Celsius and a longer winter. Our summers are way hotter than yours too..... 32 C range and some days hotter. Doubt they would survive our climate..... may try one for fun anyway.
ah yes you do have extremes of temperature that we don't. Scotland is temperate. Spain tends to be hot and pomegranates grow well here. I think in your case they would have to be grown indoors - or in pots outdoors so you could take them in during winter?
I thus need a much bigger house... LOL - one that could make room for a 10 foot tall bush with a glass roof over head. ... Ok - now I have a new goal - earn enough to buy a house like that .... in fact by a house to begin with LOL
LOL - no worries it would take years before it grew that tall. Pomegranates are shrubby - they throw suckers out from the roots all the time, you can cut it down and keep it as a bush in a big pot.
Great information on the growing of pomegranate. It would never have occured to me to even try, which I shall do, this coming spring. I feel encouraged to try, knowing that it can withstand severe cold. I have a greenhouse, so it should germinate etc. Nice to give it a go anyway.
Thanks for the hub.
Cool - would they produce fruit when grown in a pot?
Yes, after a few years. I've had some flower in their second year but no fruit was produced. They are self-fertile but if grown indoors in a pot you would probably need to hand-pollinate the flowers unless you had insects around to do it for you.
Chspublish, hey you'll just love the little pomegranate plants that you grow :) Good luck with them!
Cool - the seeds from the pomegranite in my fridge will not end up in my belly. LOL
A new flower pot (a large one) will be needed. Thanks a billion for your comments and replies to mine.
^5
Start with a small flowerpot and gradually move it up. You will get away with a small pot for the first couple of years! Oh and come back and let me know how you get on :)
I love pomegranates! I also remember that story of Persephone and Hades and I think of it just about every time I eat one. I had no idea the plants were that easy to grow.
If I did grow one, I'd have to bring it inside in the winter months for sure. Where I live it can easily get down to 0 F in the night.
0F? Man, that's cold! Hey you should have a go anyway. It'll be years before it grows big enough to become a problem!
Wow! What a nice hub! Love that! Question though, can I grow it outside? I live in IL.
Depends on your USDA zone. If your winter temps regularly go to -10C and below, then no. But it still make a lovely house or conservatory plant.
Thanks for posting this. This is the first time I have seen pictures pomegranates growing.
They make beautiful trees/bushes, especially in early Spring when the new leaves come through.
I would love to have a backyard to grow pomegranates.
D.A.L. 2 years ago
I will certainly try growing one as you recommend, but it will be next spring, here in England before I can Attempt it. I will let you know how it works out. Thanks for the hub
.The flowers are beautiful and worth the effort.