Punica granatum
A drought-tolerant, sun-loving fruit-bearing shrub or small tree native to the Iran–northern India region, prized for showy flowers and edible fruit with juicy arils, used ornamentally and culinarily for antioxidant-rich arils.
Common Names
Pomegranate, Pomegranates, Granada, Granatapfel, Granado, Melograna, Melogranato, Melograno Granato, Roma, Romeira, Romazeira
Summary
Punica granatum, the pomegranate, is a drought-tolerant, heat-loving deciduous shrub or small tree in the Lythraceae family, typically 6–20 ft tall and 4–15 ft wide, with glossy leaves and spiny branches. It prefers full sun and well-drained loam, tolerates alkaline soils, and thrives in USDA zones 7–11, with frost damage possible in cooler areas. The edible fruit contains arils inside a tough rind, ripening from late summer to fall, with fruit and aril color varying by cultivar; fruits store in cool, humid conditions for several weeks to months.
Propagation is commonly by cuttings, though seeds may be used; plants are self-fertile, yet cross-pollination can increase fruit set. Pomegranate arils are rich in antioxidants, including punicalagins, with reported health benefits such as anti-inflammatory effects and potential cardiovascular and cancer-related advantages. Common pests include leaf-footed bugs, whiteflies, mealybugs, and scale, while leaf blotch and fruit spot can occur; management relies on appropriate sprays and cultural practices. Harvest occurs in late summer to fall and cracking may occur after irregular irrigation or heavy rains; fruit stores for about 6–7 months at 32–41°F with ~80% humidity.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
144-240 inches
Spread
10-12 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7-11
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-draining loamy soil with a pH around 6.0–7.0; a mix of garden soil, compost, and sand is ideal
Soil Drainage
Well-drained loamy soil.
Soil pH
6.1-7.5, slightly acidic to neutral
Bloom Color
scarlet, white, variegated, orange-red, orange, red, pink, yellow
Bloom Time
Spring (April–June), with possible extension into summer or fall.
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Yellow
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Moderate growth rate.
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Bees visit flowers, hummingbirds visit flowers, butterflies visit flowers, other insect pollinators visit flowers, birds attracted to ripening fruit
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- L.
- Publication
- Sp. Pl. : 472 (1753)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Myrtales
- Family
- Lythraceae
- Genus
- Punica
Synonyms
Punica nana Rhoea punica Punica spinosa Punica grandiflora Punica multiflora Granatum punicum Punica granatum var. vulgaris Punica granatum var. microcarpa Punica granatum var. macrocarpa Punica granatum var. sanguinea Punica granatum var. alba Punica granatum var. lutea Punica granatum var. semiplena Punica granatum var. variegata Punica granatum var. semperflorens Punica granatum var. militensis Punica legrellei Punica granatum var. nana Punica granatum var. pleniflora Punica granatum f. albescens Punica granatum var. multiplex Punica granatum f. flavescens Punica granatum var. flava Punica granatum f. plena Punica granatum var. pumila Punica granatum var. frutescens Punica granatum var. sativum Punica granatum f. pleniflora Punica granatum var. albescens Punica granatum var. flavescens Punica granatum f. legrelliae Punica florida Punica granatum var. acidula Punica granatum var. parvifolia Punica granatum var. legrelliae Punica granatum f. multiplex