How to Grow Pomegranate
Punica granatum
A tough, largely self-fertile shrub-tree that needs a long, hot summer to fill its fruit with juice.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About pomegranate
Pomegranates are drought-tolerant, sun-loving shrubs or small trees that thrive on heat — the longer and hotter the summer, the better the fruit colors and sweetens. They are largely self-fertile, so a single plant will set fruit, and once established they tolerate poor soil and neglect far better than most orchard fruit. The main challenge is even watering, since erratic moisture is the leading cause of split fruit.
When to plant and harvest pomegranate
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
Not applicable — plant a grafted tree or rooted cutting
Transplant outdoors
Spring, after the last frost
Direct sow
Not applicable
Harvest
Late summer into fall
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How to grow pomegranate step by step
- 1
Plant a nursery tree or rooted cutting in spring in the hottest, sunniest spot available.
- 2
Water deeply and on a regular schedule while establishing and as fruit develops; keep soil moisture consistent rather than letting it swing dry-to-wet.
- 3
Prune lightly in late winter to remove suckers and crossing branches — pomegranates fruit on new growth and need little shaping.
- 4
Feed lightly; too much nitrogen pushes leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
- 5
In the coldest part of its range, mulch heavily and protect young trees from hard freezes, or grow in a large pot you can shelter.
- 6
Harvest when fruit sounds metallic when tapped and before it splits.
Common problems growing pomegranate
⚠ Fruit splits open on the tree
Almost always irregular watering — keep soil moisture even through the growing season and harvest promptly once fruit is ripe.
⚠ Fruit drops before ripening
Common on young trees or after drought stress; keep watering consistent and expect better fruit set as the tree matures.
⚠ Little or no fruit despite good bloom
Pomegranates are largely self-fertile, so lack of a pollinator is rarely the cause — check for excess nitrogen fertilizer or insufficient summer heat.
⚠ Winter dieback in marginal zones
Mulch the root zone heavily and, in a pot, move it to an unheated shelter for winter.
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting pomegranate
Pomegranates do not ripen further once picked, so wait until the skin loses its shine and darkens to a deep color for the variety, and the fruit makes a slightly metallic sound when tapped. Cut, rather than pull, the fruit from the branch to avoid tearing the skin, and pick promptly once ripe since fruit left too long tends to crack.
Pomegranate: frequently asked questions
When should you plant pomegranate?＋
In most regions you transplant spring, after the last frost. Timing is relative to your last frost, so find your USDA hardiness zone for the exact planting dates where you live.
Do I need two pomegranate trees to get fruit?＋
No — most pomegranate varieties are self-fertile, so a single plant will set fruit on its own.
Why do my pomegranates keep splitting?＋
Splitting is usually caused by uneven watering, often a dry spell followed by heavy rain or irrigation. Keep soil moisture consistent and harvest fruit as soon as it ripens.
Sources & review
Written and maintained by the Plants by Zone Editorial Team. Planting times are based on USDA hardiness zones and NOAA frost-date normals, with care guidance drawn from Cooperative Extension sources. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapNOAA U.S. climate normalsCooperative Extension
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See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside pomegranate, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
