Pomegranate Punica granatum
Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Lythraceae family. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Pomegranate in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pomegranate at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Lythraceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: arils |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇳 China, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇷 Iran |
Is Pomegranate toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Pomegranate fruit is non-toxic to people and pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pomegranate
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Pomegranate in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Desert Botanical Garden (3 plants)
Questions about Pomegranate
- How far apart should I plant Pomegranate?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft).
- Does Pomegranate need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pomegranate need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pomegranate?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Pomegranate flower?
- From about May for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Pomegranate poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Pomegranate fruit is non-toxic to people and pets.
- What grows well with Pomegranate?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pomegranate. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Mexican heather (false heather) Cuphea hyssopifolia
- Cigar plant Cuphea ignea
- Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) Lagerstroemia floribunda
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa