Pomegranate Tree

Pomegranates are treasure chests of sweet, edible rubies! Grow your own Pomegranate Tree to add both aesthetic appeal and rewarding nutritious fruit. Growing 10 to 15 feet tall, it showcases glossy leaves and striking orange-red flowers in summer, followed by the round, red-leather-skinned Pomegranates in the Fall. Pomegranates contains ruby-red arils with a satisfying crunch that are sweet, tart, and bursting with flavor. Pomegranate seeds can be eaten fresh, added to salads, or used in cooking and juicing. Pomegranates are not just delicious—they’re also incredibly nutritious! They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They are also one of the oldest known cultivated fruits, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, and is  one of the “Seven Species-inch of fruits and grains mentioned in the Bible.

Also Known As: Grenade, Punica, Anar, Dalim, Granada, Granate Apple, Pomegrenate, Pomegranite, Pomelo, Pomgranate, Punica Granatum.

Plant Name:	Tree, Pomegranate
Latin Name:	Punica granatum
Days to Germinate:	14-28
Years to Fruit:	3 - 5 Years
Plant Height:	10 - 15 Feet
Spread:	10 - 15 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	7-11
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose a clear, sunny location that is not in the shade of other trees and receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Trees establish roots better in sandy, well-drained soils rather than heavy, poorly drained soil. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, either form rows of soil beds or hills 4-6 inches high and at least 15 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting or maintenance easier.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: Pomegranate Tree seeds do not require cold-stratification to germinate but may benefit from soaking. To germinate seeds, soak seeds 24 hours in hot tap water prior to sowing. Roll seeds in a damp paper towel and place in a resealable bag and place bags in 70F-90F area for 1-2 weeks. Plant indoors in small pots with moist potting soil 1 month before the last expected frost in spring, and place the pots in a warm, sunny location that is at least 65F. Keep the soil moist, allowing the top inch of soil to dry in between waterings.

Once the seedlings have developed a few sets of leaves and are at least 6 inches in height, harden off seedlings then transplant outdoors in the spring, in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny, permanent location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors plant in spring in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 65F. Soak seeds 24 hours in hot tap water prior to sowing. Roll seeds in a damp paper towel and place in a resealable bag and place bags in 70F-90F area for 1-2 weeks. To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 30 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole, then cover thinly with soil. Seedbeds can be covered with plastic film to promote germination. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	10 -15 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	15 feet

Care During the Season:

Pomegranate Trees produce abundant, juicy pomegranates while remaining a hardy and relatively low-maintenance tree with proper care. Regular deep watering is beneficial, especially for young trees, but they are drought-tolerant once established. During spring and summer, consistent watering helps support new growth and fruit development. A layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. A fertilizer feeding of with potassium and phosphorus can enhance fruit quality. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Pomegranates bloom and set fruit on new growth, so light pruning can also stimulate more flowering. As fruit begins to ripen in late summer to fall, reducing water slightly can help improve fruit sweetness.

Harvesting:

Pick Pomegranates when they are tinged red, either light or dark red, and feels heavy, about 7 months after flowering. The outer skin may feel like leather and can be scratched with a finger nail. Cut pomegranates from the tree rather than pulling.