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How do I Grow a Pomegranate Bush?

Anna B. Smith
Anna B. Smith

A pomegranate bush may be planted in a variety of environments and is generally simple to care for. One may be grown from seeds or from an already established plant. They generally prosper in both outdoor and indoor climates.

When growing a pomegranate bush from an already existing plant, establish it in its new soil as soon as possible after purchasing it. If planting outdoors, dig a hole two to three times the width of the existing plant, to a depth equal to the height of the root base. The base of the bush should remain even with ground level without being buried.

A pomegranate bush can be grown from an existing plant.
A pomegranate bush can be grown from an existing plant.

Plant the bush in evenly drained soil, in direct sunlight. Use organic compost mixed with a small amount of local soil to backfill the hole. This loosely-packed organic compound will provide an aerated base that allows an even distribution of water without flooding the soil and creating root rot. It can also provide a slow-release fertilizer for the plant throughout the growing season.

Pomegranate seeds.
Pomegranate seeds.

Mulch around the recently planted pomegranate bush to a depth of two to three inches (5.08 to 7.62 cm). Colder climates may benefit from increasing the amount of mulch around the bush to six inches (15.24 cm). Organic compost makes an excellent mulch as well as planting mixture, providing protection from heat and cold, and aiding the plant in fighting most harmful garden fungi and diseases.

Water the bush thoroughly after planting. Continue to soak it every other day during the spring, tapering off to twice weekly watering during the summer. If planted during the fall, water the pomegranate bush only once each week.

This bush can grow to 20 or 30 ft (6.10 to 9.14 m) in height, but typically remains at a height of 12 to 15 ft (3.66 to 4.57 m). It can survive in a variety of soils and often does very well in extremely alkaline earth that is too basic for many plants. This plant typically does well in hot, sunny climates, however, extreme humidity will adversely affect the plant’s ability to produce fruit. Gardeners in more humid climates may wish to establish their pomegranate bushes indoors, in a brightly lit greenhouse.

These bushes may fruit within the first year of planting, however, they typically require two to three years before producing. Fruit generally appears five to seven months after the plant blossoms. Trim new bushes back to a height of 2 ft (.61 m) after initial planting. Allow new shoots to form roughly 1 ft (.30 m) from the ground to encourage new growth. During subsequent seasons, only light pruning is generally needed to remove dead branches and suckers.

Discussion Comments

anon354440

I am in Bournemouth UK. Last time I actually ate a pomegranate was in 1966 when I was in Iran (they grow quite well there) on my way overland to India. As I remember, it tasted great but it seemed to be a rather messy fruit with lots of pithy bits. Of course, I had no idea that it was such a healthy thing!

Mor

I've never actually had a fresh pomegranate, although they are very pretty. They must look nice on the tree, so having a pomegranate in the garden could be an aesthetic choice as well.

I have had pomegranate juice though and from what I'm told, it's traditional in some parts of the world, so I guess the fruit has multiple purposes as well.

irontoenail

@browncoat - Well, a way around that would be to get a dwarf pomegranate tree. However, do I think in some cases people just have to accept that they have to grow to the conditions. Unfortunately, we're all so used to having the fruits and vegetables of the world at our fingertips because of imports and supermarkets, that we take it for granted.

Once you start growing your own food, you realize that everything is seasonal and there's only so much you can do to change that. The best pomegranates I've had were fresh off the tree in California and they made me want to grow my own. But, if I lived in, say, Florida, where it is quite humid (although I'm not entirely sure whether it's too humid for pomegranates) I'd accept the limitations and start growing limes instead.

browncoat

I've never heard of using a greenhouse to reduce humidity, but I guess it would work. If you ventilated it properly, the humid air could be kept out.

I think, considering how large a pomegranate bush can grow, however, this wouldn't be the usual resort. Because you'd need a very high greenhouse to accommodate the fully grown bush.

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    • A pomegranate bush can be grown from an existing plant.
      By: kaetana
      A pomegranate bush can be grown from an existing plant.
    • Pomegranate seeds.
      Pomegranate seeds.