Do I need two trees for fruit?

No, they are self fertile, but a second tree can increase yield.

Can I grow them in pots?

Yes, dwarf varieties are excellent for containers.

Plant guide

Pomegranate.

Punica granatum

Pronounced POO-ni-ka gra-NA-tum

Also known as Pomegranate, Pomegranate Tree

The pomegranate is a beautiful, long lived shrub or small tree known for its vibrant flowers and delicious fruit. It thrives in warm climates and makes a stunning focal point in a sunny garden. You will love how its glossy leaves and bright red blossoms add a Mediterranean feel to your space.

Another photo of Pomegranate — Photo by Proteros (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Deciduous shrub or tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15 to 20 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant your pomegranate in a spot that gets plenty of sun to ensure good fruit production. Keep an eye out for aphids or whiteflies on the new growth. Consistent moisture is key while the tree is young, but it becomes quite drought tolerant once established.

Watering: Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove suckers and shape the canopy.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger container only when the roots become crowded.
Soil: Well draining loam
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: -10 to 45°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, often living for decades.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Water running straight through the soil.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally safe, but the roots and bark contain compounds that are medically active and potentially harmful.
Children: The fruit is safe, but the woody stems can have sharp thorns that may scratch small children.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in those with severe hay fever.
Edibility: The rind and roots contain alkaloids that can be toxic if consumed in large quantities.

How to identify it

Glossy, lance shaped green leaves
Bright orange red trumpet flowers
Round fruit with leathery skin
Spiny branches on many varieties

Height: 2 to 5m
Spread: 2 to 4m
Leaves: green, bronze-tinged, deciduous
Flowers: orange, red, 3 to 5cm
Fruit: red, yellow, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Fruit RotCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Root RotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon
CankerRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your pomegranate from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed, layering
When to plant: Spring, Autumn
Overwintering: In cold regions, move container plants to a frost free shed or garage. For garden plants, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from deep freezes.
In containers: They grow very well in containers, provided the pot is at least 40 liters and has excellent drainage.

Hardwood cuttings

1. Take 20cm cuttings in late winter.
2. Dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a pot with moist sand.
4. Keep in a bright, cool spot until spring.

Plant with other Mediterranean shrubs that prefer lean soil and full sun.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar requirements for sun and well draining soil.
Rosemary · This herb thrives in the same dry, sunny conditions.

Similar species

Crape Myrtle · Shares a similar growth habit and heat tolerance.

Science

Family: Lythraceae
Genus: Punica
Order: Myrtales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central Asia to the Mediterranean region.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in hot, dry climates with long, sunny summers.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, fruit provides food for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental shrub, edible fruit, hedging, container plant

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need two trees for fruit?: No, they are self fertile, but a second tree can increase yield.
Can I grow them in pots?: Yes, dwarf varieties are excellent for containers.

Where the name comes from

Punica refers to the Phoenicians who spread the plant, and granatum refers to the many seeds inside.

Good to know

Pomegranates are one of the oldest known cultivated fruits.
The fruit can contain hundreds of seeds.
They are highly drought tolerant once established.
The name comes from Latin meaning seeded apple.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your pomegranate growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.