How to Grow Pomegranate
Punica granatum
Pomegranates need long, hot summers to fruit well and are primarily ornamental in the UK unless grown under glass. Plant in full sun against a south-facing wall or grow in containers that can be moved under cover for winter. Feed in spring and fortnightly with liquid fertiliser during flowering and fruiting. Keep watering consistent to prevent fruit cracking. Prune in late winter to an open framework of five or six main stems. Hardy to about -10C briefly but wet cold is more damaging than dry frost.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring with a balanced fertiliser. Liquid feed fortnightly during flowering and fruiting.
Watch For
- Aphids
- Whitefly
- Fruit cracking from irregular watering
Companions
Lavender, Thyme, Rosemary
Track your Pomegranate care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun essential, south-facing wall or under glass
Full sun is essential. In the UK, grow against a south-facing wall or in a conservatory for best results. Needs long, hot summers to fruit.
💧 Watering
Regular and consistent to prevent fruit cracking
Water regularly during flowering and fruiting. Keep watering consistent to prevent fruit cracking. Reduce watering in winter, especially for container plants.
🌱 Fertilizing
Spring feed, fortnightly liquid feed when fruiting
Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser. Liquid feed fortnightly during flowering and fruiting for container-grown plants.
✂️ Pruning
Late winter prune, thin to open framework
Prune in late winter. Remove suckers, dead wood, and crossing branches. Thin to five or six main stems for an open framework.
❄️ Overwintering
Move containers under cover for winter
In the UK, best grown in containers and moved under cover before the first frost. Hardy to about -10C briefly but wet cold is more damaging.
Growing Tips
Container growing works best
Grow in a container and move under cover before the first frost; wet cold is more damaging than dry frost.
Consistent watering
Keep watering consistent during fruiting to prevent fruit cracking, which leads to rot.
Feed for fruit
Feed fortnightly with liquid fertiliser during flowering and fruiting for the best chance of a crop.
Open framework pruning
Prune in late winter to an open framework of five or six main stems; remove suckers and dead wood.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of green or black aphids on shoot tips and flower buds. Sticky honeydew and distorted growth.
- Encourage ladybirds and lacewings
- Spray with insecticidal soap
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with a pyrethrin-based insecticide if heavy infestations persist
Pest Whitefly
Identification: Tiny white-winged insects fly up when foliage is disturbed. Sticky honeydew and sooty mould on leaves.
- Introduce the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa under glass
- Hang yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce numbers
- Spray with insecticidal soap
- Spray with a pyrethrin-based insecticide, repeating as needed
Pest Mealybugs
Identification: White cottony masses in leaf axils and on stems. Sticky honeydew and sooty mould.
- Dab individual bugs with methylated spirit on a cotton bud
- Introduce the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri under glass
- Spray with insecticidal soap
- Spray with a systemic insecticide if infestations are severe
Disease Fruit Rot Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Soft, brown, decaying patches on fruit. Fruit may split and develop grey mould in wet weather.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected fruit promptly. Improve ventilation around the plant.
Prevention: Avoid irregular watering which causes fruit cracking. Ensure good airflow. Pick fruit promptly when ripe.
Disease Root Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, wilting despite moist soil, and progressive dieback. Roots are dark and soft.
Treatment: Lift and repot container plants in fresh, well-drained compost. Discard badly affected plants.
Prevention: Use very well-drained compost. Avoid overwatering, especially in winter. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
Popular Varieties
Eversweet
A desert-adapted variety with very soft seeds and clear, non-staining juice. Lacks intense acidity, making it sweet even before fully colouring.
Wonderful
The industry standard for juice production, yielding large red fruit with tart, crimson arils. Vigorous and decorative with bright orange-red blossoms.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 400 cm |
| Row spacing | 500 cm |
| Mature height | 400 cm |
| Mature spread | 300 cm |
3-5m apart for trees. Can be grown as shrub/hedge with closer spacing 2-3m.
Log Pomegranate in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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