There is nothing quite like a fresh pomegranate picked from your own tree. With these simple steps, learn how to grow a pomegranate tree in a pot so you can have delicious fruit right outside your door.
If grown in optimal conditions, pomegranate trees can live for up to 200 years. Native to the Middle East and South Asia, the tree varies in size, growing from 2 meters to as big as 6 meters.
USDA Hardiness Zones — Pomegranate trees can be grown below zone 9 in containers, or they can be grown up to zone 11.
Growing Difficulty — Easy
Soil pH — Neutral
Propagation and Growing in Containers
Pomegranate plants can be propagated by seeds or cuttings in the spring or summer when temperatures are around 68 F (20 C). If you don’t want to wait long for fruits, you can buy a pomegranate tree that is already 2 to 3 years old from a nursery or online.
You can use seeds from a very ripe pomegranate. If you find seeds this way, remember to use a pomegranate that is organic. Separate and clean the seeds by rubbing them with paper towels. Be sure to let them dry for a few days before sowing.
Plant the seeds about 1/4 of an inch deep in a light seed-starting mix. Place the pot in a sunny location. If it is not quite warm enough outside, place a plastic bag over the pot or place it in a greenhouse that maintains a temperature of around 68 F (20 C). Be sure to keep the soil moist, and seeds will begin to germinate within 1 to 6 weeks depending on the variety and climate.
Use 8-10 inch-long cuttings and plant them in well-drained potting mix. Cuttings will root quickly and easily in high humidity and at a temperature around 68 F.
Finding a Pot
The pot size should vary depending on plant size. Increase the pot size as your plant grows. Be sure to use pots that have proper drainage.
If you have ever grown citrus in a pot, growing pomegranates will not be very difficult. Pomegranates are more cold hardy and grow easier than most citrus trees. They also require less water and fertilizer.
The soil you use should be loamy, rich in organic content, loose, and permeable.
While your tree is growing, it will need medium to high amounts of water depending on climate. The tree should be watered regularly and the soil should always stay moist but not too wet or waterlogged. During the winter, watering should be reduced.
Fertilize your pomegranate tree regularly during the growing season. For the best results, fertilize every two weeks.
Potted pomegranate trees can often become zinc deficient, which is indicated by yellowing leaves. You can avoid this by spraying diluted zinc solution on your foliage.
You can also apply compost of manure to help your plant flourish. Be careful not to over fertilize because this can cause your tree to produce mass amounts of foliage and not as many flowers.
Pomegranate is very sensitive to frost. During the winter, the tree will shed its leaves and become dormant if temperatures drop below freezing.
If the pomegranate tree is cultivated in a pot below USDA Zone 9, it is a good idea to prune in the fall. During the winter, you should keep your plant indoors where the temperature should not fall below 37 F (3 C). During the period of dormancy, the plant does not need much fertilizer or water, but you should still be sure not to allow it to dry out completely. If you are able to keep your pomegranate tree in temperatures around 55 F (15 C) with at least 4 hours of sunlight daily, your plant will not shed its leaves and go dormant.
In spring, bring your plant to a warm, bright area so that it can acclimate to the change in climate. Once the plant begins to form a few fully developed leaves, you can once again start fertilizing and giving it more water. Once the temperature rises above 45 F (7 C), you can place the plant outside.
Pruning is necessary when growing a tree in a pot. Pruning also encourages flowering and fruiting. After the last frost has passed, you can begin to prune your tree. It is a good idea to prune off weak, dead and undesirable branches so that the tree’s energy will be directed to beneficial areas. You can also shorten branches to encourage flowering.
Repot your tree when it becomes root bound. Be sure to repot when there are no flowers or fruits on your plant. Repotting at the beginning of its growing season is also not a good idea.
If you are growing your pomegranate tree from seed, fruits will begin to form in the third year.
The fruit will ripen in three to six months after the appearance of flowers. Harvest your fruit when the crust is an intense red color.
To avoid fruit crack problems, be sure to keep your tree watered and moist.
Ariana Marisol is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. She is an avid nature enthusiast, gardener, photographer, writer, hiker, dreamer, and lover of all things sustainable, wild, and free. Ariana strives to bring people closer to their true source, Mother Nature. She is currently finishing her last year at The Evergreen State College getting her undergraduate degree in Sustainable Design and Environmental Science. Follow her adventures on Instagram.