Pomegranate

Pomegranates thrive in full sun and well-drained loam, tolerate mildly alkaline soil, and need only moderate nitrogen. A long warm season ripens fruit, but young shrubs need several establishment years and even watering despite their mature drought tolerance.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Water deeply during establishment; adjust to rainfall and soil

Spacing

144 in

First harvest

2–4 years

Tips

• Choose a cultivar whose ripening season and winter hardiness fit your region.
• Water consistently as fruit develops because dry-to-wet swings encourage splitting.
• Apply modest spring nitrogen only when growth or soil testing warrants it.
• Select a few main trunks, remove surplus suckers, and thin crowded growth for airflow.
• Clip fruit when the rind reaches cultivar color and becomes angular, before cracks expose the seeds.

Plant nursery stock in spring, or in fall where winters are mild, keeping the root flare at soil level and any graft above soil.