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.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Multi-stemmed; Oval; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite; Whorled
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblanceolate; Oblong
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate, opposite or whorled lustrous dark green leaves; 1 to 4 in. long; yellow-green fall color
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Edible; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower shape
Trumpet
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
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.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Aggregate; Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
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
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
NE. Turkey to Afghanistan
Wildlife value
The brilliant flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Play value
Edible fruit
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Seeds
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Aggregate; Berry
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.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Traditionally it was used medicinally to treat disorders of the ciruclartory system. Native Americans also used the blossoms in jewelry making.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Recreational Play Area; Small Space