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How to Grow Pomegranates: Planting, Care, and Harvest Tips

Pomegranates are one of the oldest cultivated fruits, with references dating back to Old Testament times. But they are not just rich in history. Pomegranate trees are beautiful, heat-loving, and productive, especially in warm, arid climates like Arizona.

Pomegranates are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow in the low desert. They thrive in the heat, don’t mind our alkaline soils, and seem made for tough desert conditions. In spring, they’re covered in bright red blooms, followed by golden yellow leaves in the fall. Iif you can keep the leaf-footed bugs away, you’ll get a delicious harvest too. Here are my best tips for growing pomegranates in the low desert.

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What This Post Covers

• Is a Pomegranate a Tree or a Bush?
• Which Pomegranate Variety Should I Plant?
• When and How to Plant a Pomegranate Tree
• How to Care for and Prune a Pomegranate Tree
• Why Doesn’t My Pomegranate Tree Have Leaves in Spring?
• Why Are There Flowers But No Fruit?
• How to Tell When a Pomegranate Is Ready to Harvest
• The Best Way to Eat a Pomegranate
• Why Is My Pomegranate Fruit Splitting?
• Why Does My Fruit Look Rotten Inside?
• What Can I Do About Leaf-Footed Bugs?
• Final Tips for Growing Pomegranates

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Is a Pomegranate a Tree or a Bush?

Pomegranates (Punica granatum) are deciduous and typically grown as small trees that reach 12 to 20 feet in height and width. They can also be grown as large bushes by allowing the suckers at the base to grow.

To grow as a tree, remove suckers and train the plant to form a multi-trunked shape. Dwarf varieties are ideal for containers.

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Which Pomegranate Variety Should I Plant?

Choose a variety suited to your climate. Some types perform better in cooler zones, while others thrive in heat. These are good options:

• Balegal – Large, pale pink fruit with sweet flesh. Hardy to zone 7
• Crab – Medium to large bronze fruit with tart, rich flavor
• Early Wonderful – Large red fruit with a tart flavor. Very productive
• Granada – Crimson fruit with semi-sweet flavor. Matures early
• Sweet – Medium pink fruit with very sweet flesh. Productive
• Utah Sweet – Soft seeds, pink skin and flowers, sweet flavor
• Wonderful – Large red fruit with tangy-sweet flavor and soft seeds. Thrives in Arizona

For more ideas about what to plant for a continuous harvest, see this guide to year-round fruit tree harvests

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When and How to Plant a Pomegranate Tree

In hot climates like Arizona, plant pomegranates in spring or fall.

Planting tips:

• Choose a location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
• Pomegranates prefer well-drained soil but tolerate poor or alkaline soil
• Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the nursery container
• In colder zones, plant near a south-facing wall or grow in a container that can be moved indoors during winter

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How to Care for and Prune a Pomegranate Tree

Once established, pomegranates are low-maintenance. Here are care tips:

• Watering: Water deeply during summer and more often when newly planted
• Fertilizing: Apply compost or an organic fertilizer in February, and 2 to 3 times a year as needed
• Pruning: Not required, but you can prune to control size, remove suckers, or shape the tree. Prune in late winter after leaf drop
• Thinning: Leave one fruit every 6 inches. This helps grow larger fruit and prevents branch damage

For more guidance on managing fruit trees, see this post about pruning fruit trees

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Why Doesn’t My Pomegranate Tree Have Leaves in Spring?

Pomegranates are slow to leaf out in spring. Be patient. If your area experienced temperatures below 10°F, some damage may have occurred. Wait until late spring to determine if any trunks are dead, then prune as needed.

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Why Are There Flowers But No Fruit?

Trees younger than three years often bloom without fruiting. For older trees, fruit drop or failure to form can result from:

• Overwatering or poor drainage
• Lack of sunlight
• Excess nitrogen fertilizer

Planting more than one tree, even of the same variety, can improve fruit set. Although pomegranates are self-fruitful, cross-pollination can help.

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How to Tell When a Pomegranate Is Ready to Harvest

Pomegranates ripen from August to November, depending on the variety. Look for these signs:

• Skin changes from shiny to matte and deepens in color
• Fruit changes from round to slightly angular as seeds swell
• Stem and blossom ends flatten
• Fruit sounds metallic when tapped
• Ripe fruit twists easily off the branch (though cutting is better)
• If the fruit splits or falls, it is ready to pick

In late fall, you may notice a second, smaller harvest of pomegranates. These fruits are often very sweet but may split open. Keep an eye out and pick them before the birds do, or leave them for the birds to enjoy.

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The Best Way to Eat a Pomegranate

To remove seeds easily:

1. Cut the top off the pomegranate (the blossom end).
2. Score the ridges on the outer skin.
3. Hold the fruit over a bowl of water, cut side down.
4. Tap the back firmly with a wooden spoon. Seeds will fall out into the water.
5. The pith will float to the top of the water, scoop it out and remove it.
6. Ripe seeds will fall to the bottom of the bowl. Drain off water and enjoy!

Try this Pomegranate Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip. It’s a family favorite

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Why Is My Pomegranate Fruit Splitting?

Splitting can happen when:

• Fruit is left on the tree too long
• Soil moisture fluctuates (especially with dry conditions, heavy watering, or rain)
• Nearly-ripe fruit receives a sudden increase in water

Apply mulch and maintain consistent moisture to reduce splitting.

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Why Does My Fruit Look Rotten Inside?

Fungal issues like Alternaria or Aspergillus rot often cause this. It can also result from leaf-footed bugs transmitting yeast.

To reduce this problem:

• Avoid overwatering or water stress
• Clean up dropped fruit and dead branches
• Remove cracked or overripe fruit from the tree

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What Can I Do About Leaf-Footed Bugs?

These bugs pierce fruit and feed on the juices, damaging crops. Control them by:

• Learning to identify all life stages (eggs, nymphs, adults)
• Inspecting your tree often, especially in the morning
• Removing bugs by hand and destroying them
• Using insecticidal soap on young nymphs
• Cleaning up overwintering spots such as woodpiles, weeds, or old fruit

Learn more about leaf-footed bugs and organic pest control

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Final Tips for Growing Pomegranates

• Plant in full sun with good drainage
• Water deeply and mulch regularly
• Prune after leaf drop for best results
• Thin fruit for larger harvests
• Watch for splitting or rot near harvest time
• Stay ahead of pest problems, especially leaf-footed bugs

For more seasonal guidance, see the Arizona fruit growing calendar and other fruit tree posts

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