How to Grow Pomegranates

Pomegranate plants originated in southeast Europe and Asia. The Spanish brought these plants to Mexico, California and Arizona in the sixteenth century. These plants produce beautiful flowers and foliage, and the fruit are delicious, but you have to wait several years to enjoy them.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pick a planting area that's in full sun. The pomegranate plant can grow in most types of soil, as long as it has good drainage. The amount of space you need depends on whether you plan to grow the plant as a tree or as a bush or shrub.

2. Purchase pomegranate plant cutting from a nursery in the winter, around February or March. The cuttings should be between 12- and 20-inches long, and you must plant them so two-thirds of their length is buried in the soil.

3. Water the cuttings thoroughly at planting and every 2 days for the first several weeks. Once the pomegranate plant is established, you can reduce watering to once every week or two.

4. Fertilize pomegranate plants to encourage fruit production. Apply 2 lb. of 8-8-8 fertilizer in November and in March for young plants, and use 4 lb. for mature trees.

5. Harvest the fruit when they measure between 2 ½ and 5 inches in diameter and are the appropriate color according to the plant variety. Colors range from purple to deep red to pink. Ripe pomegranates make a metallic sound when you tap them.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a nursery to determine which is the best variety of pomegranate plant for your area.

• For optimum growth, treat cuttings with rooting hormone before you plant them.

• A pomegranate plant grown from cuttings should give you fruit after 3 years.