How to Grow Pomegranate From Seeds

Pomegranates are tropical fruits that are typically enjoyed fresh and can also be squeezed for their antioxidant-rich juice. In recent years the popularity of pomegranates has increased and, as a result, they can now be found at just about any supermarket when the fruit is in season. Because the fruits contain an abundance of seeds, many pomegranate and gardening aficionados choose to plant them since they make quite attractive, ornamental houseplants.

Things You'll Need

• Pomegranate
• Dish or bowl filled with water
• Paper towels
• Potting mix with fertilizer
• Clay or plastic planter
• Saran Wrap

Instructions

How to Grow Pomegranate from Seeds

1. Know what to expect before you decide to plant pomegranate seeds. Fruit from the supermarket may well be a hybrid variety, which means that it may not grow true to type or ever actually produce fruit unless the conditions are ideal. It will, however, grow into an pretty houseplant with thorny branches and thin, shiny bright green leaves. The plants are typically bushy and low, and will grow well in planters or containers. However, if allowed to grow outdoors in tropical climates or in ideal greenhouse conditions pomegranate plants can grow into trees as tall as 30 feet.

2. Obtain a ripe pomegranate at the supermarket and cut it in half. Remove the seeds from the fruit, using a teaspoon. There will be a gel-like layer of pulp around each of the seeds. To remove the pulp place the seeds into a dish or cold water and let them soak for about 10 minutes. Then gently squeeze the pulp off of each seed with your fingers while the seeds are still under water. Dry the seeds individually on a paper towel, and be sure that all of the pulp has been removed--even trace amounts can cause the seed to mold once planted.

3. Plant a few seeds in a container or planter filled with potting mix. The container you use to start your pomegranate plant can be any size, since the seedlings can always be transplanted to larger containers later. However, due to the thorny nature of pomegranate plants, you can simply use an 8- to 10-inch-tall pot that will allow the seedling to grow for quite some time before it will need to be re-potted. Push two or three seeds about 2 inches into the potting mix, and cover them up with potting mix when you're done.

4. Keep the seeds in a bright and sunny window or sun room, and cover the top of the planter with Saran Wrap. Since pomegranates are tropical plants they will sprout faster if they are kept at a higher temperature than room temperature. Check the Saran Wrap daily, and wipe off any condensation that forms with a paper towel. Doing so will help to prevent the water from dripping into the soil and causing excessive moisture.

5. Water the potting mix sporadically as needed. Do not water the soil if it is already moist. Pomegranates are fairly drought tolerant plants, and it's better to under water than it is to over water. Under the right conditions your pomegranate seeds should germinate somewhere between 6 and 8 weeks. However, in some instances the seeds will take a few additional weeks to sprout.