Plant pomegranate in spring on ground that drains: set the root ball at grade, space standard plants about 12 to 15 feet, and mulch off the trunks.
Plant in spring on ground that drains
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Bare-root in early spring while dormant. Container plants after the last spring frost | Planting a tender container into a late freeze |
| Hole | Twice as wide as the root ball, the same depth | A deep pit of loose fill that sinks and buries the crown |
| Crown | Top of the root ball at grade, or slightly above on slow-draining ground | Soil piled over the crown |
| Spacing | About 12 to 15 feet for standard shrubs; closer only for a suckering hedge | A jammed row that never dries or never sees sun |
Pick a draining hole in full sun. Space standard plants about 12 to 15 feet so light reaches the canopy. [1] Plant in early spring, and skip a late frost on new container stock. [2]
When should I plant a pomegranate?
Bare-root in early spring while it is still dormant. Container plants after frost risk has passed, when you can keep new roots watered.
How to plant a pomegranate
Work one plant at a time: draining hole, crown at grade, then water to settle.
- Soak bare-root plants about 12 hours before planting. Water a container plant so it slides out without tearing. [3]
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and only as deep as the ball. Slope the sides. Loosen compacted edges.
- Set the plant so the top of the root ball sits at grade. On ground that stays wet after rain, set it slightly high.
- Spread circling roots. Do not coil long roots in the bottom of the hole.
- Backfill with the native soil. Pause halfway, water, then finish and firm to close air pockets.
- Space standard plants about 12 to 15 feet apart. A hedge can sit closer and fill with suckers.
- Water in. Build a low soil ring so the first soaks stay at the roots.
- Mulch a wide circle. Keep mulch a finger-width off the trunks.
- At planting, cut a young plant back to about 2 to 2.5 feet and keep three to five scaffold shoots as they grow.
How deep and how far apart do I plant?
The same depth as the nursery ball — not deeper. Space standard shrubs about 12 to 15 feet. A hedge can sit 6 to 9 feet.
Keep the crown at grade — and what fails
Most first-year losses are a wet hole or a buried crown, not a missing spray. [4]
- Wet pocket — roots rot. Move the next plant to ground that drains after rain.
- Crown buried — reset so the top of the root ball sits at grade.
- Shade at the hole — the plant lives as a leafy shrub. Pick the sunnier spot before you dig.
- Mulch against the trunks — pull it back a finger-width so bark stays dry.
If a first summer stalls, check that the crown is at grade and the hole drains before you water more.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Texas A&M AgriLife Extension -
https://mytexas.ag.tamu.edu/publications/pomegranates-texas-fruit-and-nut-production/ - [2] UF/IFAS Extension -
https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG056 - [3] Almanac -
https://www.almanac.com/plant/pomegranate - [4] Clemson Cooperative Extension -
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/pomegranate-punica-granatum-how-to-grow-care-for-and-enjoy-in-south-carolina/
This note is part of Punica Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors