How to Grow a Pomegranate Tree From a Seed for Beautiful Fruit and Flowers

Growing a pomegranate tree from seed can be a rewarding experience for any gardening enthusiast. These vibrant, fruit-bearing trees not only enhance your landscape with their glossy leaves and stunning blooms but also produce delicious, juicy pomegranates that offer a delightful mix of sweet and tart flavors.

The pomegranate tree thrives in hot climates and can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 8 to 11, while some hardy varieties can also thrive in zone 6. Dwarf varieties can be cultivated indoors, making them suitable for those in colder zones.

Whether you want to expand your garden or simply try your hand at cultivating this unique fruit, starting from seed is an enjoyable and cost-effective way to begin your pomegranate journey. Ahead, this expert guide walks you through the steps to successfully germinate pomegranate seeds and care for your tree as it grows.

What to Expect

When you grow a pomegranate tree from seed, the tree you cultivate may not be a replica of the parent plant. "If the mother tree was cross-pollinated with another pomegranate variety, you could end up with a pleasant, or sometimes not so pleasant, surprise," shares Eric Wunsch, co-owner and operator of Hillside Pomegranate Orchards. This means the fruit may not taste like the original pomegranate, as most pomegranate trees are propagated from hardwood cuttings, rather than by seed, to ensure consistent fruit production.

Wunsch adds that the only way to produce a true-to-type seed is to harvest seeds from a self-fertilized pomegranate variety and prevent cross-pollination by growing only that variety or by hand-pollinating and isolating the parentage. With that in mind, cultivating a pomegranate tree from seed is a rewarding process, and with the right approach, it can produce an eye-catching tree—even if the fruit isn't true-to-type. 

How to Grow a Pomegranate Tree From Seed

Cultivating a delicious pomegranate tree from seed is a straightforward process. With the right conditions, the seeds germinate easily, allowing you to enjoy this vibrant fruit in your own garden.

1. Extract the seeds: After enjoying your pomegranate, remove the seeds from inside the fruit. The seeds are located within the individual red jewels, called arils. Save several seeds; having multiple seeds increases the chances of success.
2. Soak the seeds: Pre-soaking seeds can increase success rates, according to Wunsch. Moisten a paper towel and fold the seeds into the damp towel. Keep the towel moist to allow the seeds to plump up, which will facilitate splitting and germination. Soak them overnight.
3. Plant the seeds: Select a 4 to 6-inch pot and a quality seedling mix. Fill each pot with the seedling mix, and make two or three holes in each pot. Place one seed into each hole.
4. Water lightly: Keep the soil damp until you see the tiny tree breaking through. "Avoid over-watering to avoid fungal diseases," says Wunsch. The soil should be moist, not waterlogged.
5. Place in a warm spot: Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot such as a windowsill or greenhouse. The seeds should germinate in about one month, so keep an eye out for sprouts.
6. Select the strongest seedling: If more than one seed emerges, Wunsch recommends waiting a bit to see which is stronger.  Select the strongest seedlings for outdoor planting.
   

How to Transplant Outdoors

Pomegranates are best planted outside in the spring, once the risk of frost for your zone has passed, says Wunsch. The seedling should be at least 6 to 12 inches tall before transplanting outdoors. "Pomegranate trees will tolerate light frosts and freezes, but a hard or extended freeze for an established tree can kill the tree back to the root," Wunsch says.   

1. Acclimate the seedling: Before planting it outside, it is essential to gradually acclimate it to the outdoor environment. Begin by placing the pot in a sheltered area outside for a few hours each day. Over the course of one to two weeks, gradually increase its exposure to sunlight, wind, and temperature variations.
2. Choose a location: Pomegranates thrive in full sun, requiring six to eight hours of sunlight daily. However, Wunsch mentions they can also tolerate some shade.
3. Dig a hole: Excavate a hole two to three times wider than the pot and as deep as the root ball. This will provide the young tree with sufficient space to expand its roots and thrive.
4. Amend the soil: Prepare the planting hole by mixing equal parts native soil and compost. Ensure the mixture is well blended. 
5. Plant the seedling: Gently remove the seedling from its pot, being careful not to damage the roots. If you notice any roots that are circling the root ball, gently untwist them. Place the seedling in the hole so that the top of the root ball is slightly elevated above the surrounding ground level.
6.  Water well: Water the seedling thoroughly to remove any air pockets within the soil, and continue watering once a week until it is well established. "Your new pomegranate tree should take off and begin to produce fruit within just a few years."
7. Fertilize once established: Once the tree is established, fertilize it in the fall with a quality organic compost product, and your tree will continue producing this fun and healthy fruit for decades to come.

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How to Transplant into Containers

If you live outside the ideal growing zones for pomegranate trees, you can transplant your seedling into a container instead by following these step-by-step instructions.

1. Choose a container: Select one that is twice the size of the root ball and has sufficient drainage holes.
2. Prepare the container: Fill the container with well-draining potting mix.
3. Transplant the seedling: Gently remove the seedling from its pot, being careful not to damage the roots. If you notice any roots that are circling the root ball, gently untwist them. Place the seedling in the container so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil.
4. Find a suitable location: Water the soil well, then place the container in an area that receives six to eight hours of sunlight daily. 

Care Requirements

Pomegranate trees thrive when they receive proper care. Here’s how to ensure their sunlight, soil, and water needs are met.

Sunlight

Full sun exposure is crucial for producing the sweetest and most abundant fruits. Aim for six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.

Soil

Pomegranate trees flourish in well-draining loamy soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. However, this fruit tree is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including clay and sandy soils.

Water

Pomegranates need deep and consistent watering every seven to 10 days during the growing season for optimal growth and fruit production. Aim for 1 inch of water per week.

Temperature

These fruit trees thrive in hot, dry climates and perform best when growing-season temperatures consistently exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer

Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, such as organic compost or blood meal, to feed your tree. It’s recommended to obtain a soil nutrient test before fertilizing, so you can meet your tree's specific needs.

How to Prune for an Abundant Harvest

Pomegranate trees produce flower buds on new growth. The best way to achieve new growth is to prune back the branches in late winter or early spring, once the threat of frost has passed but before new growth begins. "New shoots will grow from buds that are located near the larger cut branches, and they will flower and fruit that same year," says Marvin Pritts, a professor of horticulture at Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science.

However, pruning to promote fruit production results in a tree that is less aesthetically pleasing. So Pritts says you will have to decide whether you want a gorgeous tree with arching branches for ornamental purposes but fewer fruits, or a more upright tree with many branches that produce a lot of fruit. Below, Pritts offers his advice when pruning pomegranate trees. 

Remove Undesired Growth

Pruning unwanted growth helps your tree focus on producing fruit and staying disease-free.

• Start by cutting off any branches that are diseased, dead, or broken, as well as those that are crossing and rubbing against each other.
• Remove water sprouts, which are fast-growing, vertical shoots, to keep the canopy open for better airflow and light.
• Eliminate any suckers, which are shoots growing from the base of the tree. This process allows the tree to concentrate on fruit production while ensuring it receives sufficient airflow and sunlight.

Shape the Tree

To maintain your tree's ornamental value and prevent disease, Pritts recommends making the following cuts.

• Select and maintain three to five healthy, evenly spaced trunks to create a multi-stemmed, upright form.
• Carefully clear the surrounding area around the tree while keeping the chosen trunks intact. This thinning process will allow sunlight to reach the canopy, thereby enhancing fruit production and helping to combat fungal diseases.
• Trim enough branches to ensure easy access to the center of the tree for fruit harvesting.

Remove Lower Branches

Remove any lower branches that may come into contact with the ground when the fruit is heavy, as this can cause breakage.