How to Grow Pomegranates Inside

Grow a pomegranate tree indoors for the beautiful foliage.

Pomegranate trees can grow up to 20 feet in height outdoors. The pomegranate tree thrives in warm and subtropical climates. Pomegranates grow well in regions that have hot summers and cool winters, but they can tolerate a variety of temperature ranges. Instead of planting the pomegranate outdoors, you can grow the decorative tree indoors in containers if you provide it with the proper growing conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Container with drainage holes
• All-purpose potting soil
• High nitrogen fertilizer
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Transplant the pomegranate into a container that has drainage holes. The container needs to be 1 1/2 times taller and wider than the nursery container that held the plant you purchased.

2. Fill the new growing pot with all-purpose potting soil. Plant the pomegranate tree at the same depth as in its previous nursery container.

3. Set the tree in the warmest and brightest area in your home. The tree needs plenty of sunlight to grow the decorative pomegranate fruit. Place it outdoors in the summer, but bring it back indoors when the temperature starts to fall, and place it near a window that receives plenty of sunlight.

4. Water the tree to keep the soil moist. Water it twice a week during the growing season until water drains from the holes in the bottom of the container. Do not let the soil dry out.

5. Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer to the pomegranate tree every spring. Feed the pomegranate tree according to the directions on the fertilizer.

6. Prune the pomegranate tree in the early spring. Cut the tree back so that it has four to five shoots once the tree grows to 24 inches in height. Cut off any new shoots or suckers because they will drain the energy from the tree.

Tips & Warnings

• The indoor pomegranate tree will produce fruits, but they are often small, full of seeds and not worth eating. The tree is primarily considered decorative when grown indoors.

References

• Guide to Houseplants: Dwarf Pomegranate
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: A Houseplant Harvest—Tropical Trees That Really Do Fruit Indoors
• California Rare Fruit Growers: Pomegranate Fruit Facts