Punica Granatum (Pomegranate)

Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche: Passiflora incarnata Petunia x hybrida Salvia rosmarinus Tweet this Page Share on Facebook Punica granatum

Common Name(s):

• Pomegranate

Previously known as:

• Granatum punicum
• Punica nana

Phonetic Spelling PU-ni-kuh gran-AY-tum Description

Pomegranate is a woody, deciduous, perennial shrub or tree with edible fruit in the henna family (Lythraceae). Pomegranate is native from northeast Turkey to Afghanistan and is commonly grown in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The name pomegranate translates to “seeded apple.” This fruit is usually about the size of a large orange.

Pomegranate grows in partial shade to full sun. It tolerates all types of soil as long as there is good drainage and moisture. Although this plant prefers warm, arid regions, it can be grown in some parts of North Carolina, preferably the coastal region. The plant usually survives the winter but will be killed to the ground at temperatures below 10° F. The shrub is drought tolerant and will grow to be 10 to 12 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide.

The sweet-tart juice from the fleshy seeds makes a delicious and nutritious snack high in potassium and vitamin C. Animals are attracted to these tasty morsels and will help disperse the seeds. Pomegranates can be used in holiday wreaths and centerpieces.

Plants grown in North Carolina may need to be planted in a protected area or in a container that can be brought indoors for the winter. It works well as a specimen, accent plant or hedgerow in a recreational play area or next to a patio, pool or other hardscape. Use it also as part of a children’s, drought-tolerant, edible, pollinator or Mediterranean-themed garden.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Caterpillars, whiteflies, mealybugs and scale may be present. Leaf spot, fruit blotch and root rot may occur. In the Southeast, pomegranates do not fruit reliably due mostly to poor pollination and the humid climate.

Profile Video: See this plant in the following landscapes: Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Cultivars / Varieties:

• 'Eight Ball'
• 'Nana' - Compact/dwarf form grows to 3' tall
• 'Salavatski'

'Eight Ball', 'Nana' - Compact/dwarf form grows to 3' tall, 'Salavatski' Tags: #hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#small tree#small spaces#drought tolerant#specimen#red flowers#nectar plant#showy fruits#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#Mediterranean#long bloom time#edible fruits#border planting#ccp#pollinator plant#edible garden#flowers early spring#flowers mid-summer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#flowers early fall#hedge#wildlife friendly#accent#HS303#hortcontest Add

Cultivars / Varieties:

• 'Eight Ball'
• 'Nana' - Compact/dwarf form grows to 3' tall
• 'Salavatski'

'Eight Ball', 'Nana' - Compact/dwarf form grows to 3' tall, 'Salavatski' Tags: #hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#small tree#small spaces#drought tolerant#specimen#red flowers#nectar plant#showy fruits#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#Mediterranean#long bloom time#edible fruits#border planting#ccp#pollinator plant#edible garden#flowers early spring#flowers mid-summer#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#flowers early fall#hedge#wildlife friendly#accent#HS303#hortcontest

• Attributes: Genus: Punica Species: granatum Family: Lythraceae Uses (Ethnobotany): Traditionally it was used medicinally to treat disorders of the ciruclartory system. Native Americans also used the blossoms in jewelry making. Life Cycle: Woody Country Or Region Of Origin: NE. Turkey to Afghanistan Wildlife Value: The brilliant flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds. Play Value: Edible fruit Edibility: Juice from seeeds high in potassium and vitamin C and other antioxidants. Select a fruit that is heavy for the size and does not have cracks or splits. Pomegranates are hand-harvested at peak ripeness. Store whole fruit at room temperature for a few days or place in the refrigerator in plastic bags for up to 3 months. Arils can also be refrigerated or frozen in a single layer than placed in bags in the freezer for a quick snack later. Grenadine is a red syrup used to flavor beverages that is made from pomegranate seeds. Dimensions: Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Edible Perennial Shrub Tree Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous Habit/Form: Multi-stemmed Oval Rounded Growth Rate: Medium Texture: Coarse

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Clay Loam (Silt) Sand Soil pH: Acid (<6.0) Alkaline (>8.0) Neutral (6.0-8.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist Available Space To Plant: 6-feet-12 feet NC Region: Coastal USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

• Fruit: Fruit Color: Red/Burgundy Fruit Value To Gardener: Edible Showy Display/Harvest Time: Fall Fruit Type: Aggregate Berry Fruit Length: 1-3 inches Fruit Description: This fruit is usually about the size of a large orange 2"-4" in diameter. Once the leathery outer skin is removed, hundreds of red “seeds” are revealed. Although we may call these little fruit “seeds”, they are botanically known as arils. An aril is a fleshy, juicy, brightly colored tissue, which covers the actual seed. 2 to 3.5 in. edible fruit in fall; thick rind, seedy and tart

• Flowers: Flower Color: Gold/Yellow Orange Pink Red/Burgundy White Flower Value To Gardener: Edible Long Bloom Season Showy Flower Bloom Time: Fall Spring Summer Flower Shape: Trumpet Flower Petals: fused petals Flower Size: 1-3 inches Flower Description: 1 in. orange, red, pink, yellow, or white flowers 1 1/4" wide with crepe paper-like petals cluster at the ends of branches in early summer to fall.

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous Leaf Color: Green Leaf Feel: Glossy Deciduous Leaf Fall Color: Gold/Yellow Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Opposite Whorled Leaf Shape: Lanceolate Oblanceolate Oblong Hairs Present: No Leaf Length: 3-6 inches Leaf Description: Alternate, opposite or whorled lustrous dark green leaves; 1 to 4 in. long; yellow-green fall color

• Bark: Bark Color: Light Brown Light Gray Surface/Attachment: Smooth

• Stem: Stem Is Aromatic: No

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Patio Pool/Hardscape Recreational Play Area Small Space Landscape Theme: Children's Garden Drought Tolerant Garden Edible Garden Pollinator Garden Design Feature: Accent Hedge Small Tree Specimen Attracts: Hummingbirds Resistance To Challenges: Deer Drought

Punica granatum

×