Punica granatum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Granatum punicum
- Punica nana
- Phonetic Spelling
- PU-ni-kuh gran-AY-tum
- Description
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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:
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- 'Eight Ball'
- 'Nana' - Compact/dwarf form grows to 3' tall
- 'Salavatski'
- 'Eight Ball'
- 'Eight Ball', 'Nana' - Compact/dwarf form grows to 3' tall, 'Salavatski'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Eight Ball'
- 'Nana' - Compact/dwarf form grows to 3' tall
- 'Salavatski'
- 'Eight Ball'
- 'Eight Ball', 'Nana' - Compact/dwarf form grows to 3' tall, 'Salavatski'
- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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:
- Drought
