Crops › Pomegranate
How to grow Pomegranate
in the US
Sow March to November, plant out December, harvest June to September. About 730 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Now, pomegranates might seem a bit exotic for some of us, but they're a cracking fruit to grow if you've got the right spot. They're part of the Lythraceae family and, to be honest, take a bit of patience, but a homegrown pomegranate is just something else. You're looking at about two years from popping a seed in the ground until you're picking your own fruit, so don't expect results overnight.
Sowing
You'll want to start your pomegranate seeds indoors, as they need a good long growing season to get established. The best time for this depends on your USDA zone; for folks in zones 5-7, you're looking at March or April. If you're in warmer zones like 8 or 9, you can actually get going earlier in February or March, or even later in the year, right into winter for the very warmest spots. Sow your seeds about 1/2 inch (1 cm) deep in good quality seed compost, making sure to keep them warm, around 68-75°F (20-24°C), until they sprout. Pomegranate plants aren't usually sold as plugs, so starting from seed is the way to go.
Growing on
Once your seedlings have a few true leaves, you'll need to carefully prick them out and pot them on into individual small pots. Keep them in a warm, bright spot indoors, like a sunny windowsill or under grow lights, letting them grow into sturdy young plants. Before planting out, remember to harden them off gradually for a week or two, getting them used to the outdoor conditions. Plant them out in a sunny, well-drained spot after all danger of frost has passed, giving them plenty of space, maybe 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) apart if you're growing them as trees or shrubs. The dwarf 'Nana' variety is grand for containers, mind.
Looking after it
Pomegranates like a good drink, especially when they're young and in dry spells, but don't let them sit in soggy soil. A bit of balanced fertilizer in spring helps them along, and a good mulch around the base will keep the weeds down and the soil moisture in. Pruning is mainly about shaping the plant and removing any dead or crossing branches, usually done in late winter. They're quite resilient once they get going, you know what I mean.
What goes wrong
Like a lot of plants, pomegranates can sometimes get a visit from aphids, especially on the new growth. A good blast of water can often sort them out, or a bit of insecticidal soap if it's a proper infestation. Slugs aren't usually a big problem for established trees, but keep an eye on young seedlings if you're planting them out. Healthy plants are always your best defense, like I always say.
Harvest
You'll be harvesting your pomegranates in the fall, typically from September right through to November, depending on your variety and zone. The fruit is ready when it's well-colored and sounds hollow when you tap it. Cut them from the branch with a sharp knife or pruners, leaving a bit of stem. Store them in a cool, dry place, or pop them in the fridge if you want them to last even longer. They keep surprisingly well, which is handy if you get a big crop.
To be honest, the biggest challenge with pomegranates is just having the patience for them to get started; once they're past that first year, they're usually off to the races and well worth the wait.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Wonderful Wonderful is a proper classic, you can't go wrong with it for a good, reliable harvest. It gives you tasty, deep-red fruit that's cracking for juice or just eating fresh. | No club votes yet |
| Parfianka Parfianka is another top performer, known for its soft seeds and lovely sweet-tart flavor. It's a good choice if you're after a really juicy pomegranate for eating out of hand. | No club votes yet |
| Kara Bala Miursal This variety offers a unique flavor profile, often described as very sweet and aromatic. It's a reliable performer that's well-suited for a sunny spot in your backyard. | No club votes yet |
| Ambrosia Ambrosia lives up to its name, giving you very sweet fruit with a delightful, almost honey-like taste. It's a great option for those who prefer their pomegranates on the sweeter side. | No club votes yet |
| Eversweet Eversweet is a cracking choice if you want fruit that's sweet even when it's not fully ripe. It's a versatile variety that performs well in a range of climates and conditions. | No club votes yet |
| Angel Red Angel Red boasts beautiful, bright red fruit that's easy to peel and known for its soft seeds. It's a popular choice for both fresh eating and making juice. | No club votes yet |
| Ariana Ariana is a vigorous grower that produces lovely, sweet-tart fruit with a good balance of flavors. It's a reliable performer, giving you plenty to pick when the time comes. | No club votes yet |
| Kazake Kazake is known for its hardiness, making it a good option if you're in an area with slightly cooler winters. It produces good-sized fruit with a pleasant, juicy taste. | No club votes yet |
| Desertnyi Desertnyi is a very productive variety, giving you plenty of sweet and tangy fruit that's excellent for all sorts of uses. It's a proper workhorse for any backyard grower. | No club votes yet |
| Sweet True to its name, 'Sweet' is a reliable choice for deliciously sugary pomegranates without too much tartness. It's a straightforward variety that's great for fresh eating. | No club votes yet |
| Fleishman Fleishman offers a good balance of sweetness and tang, making it a versatile fruit for many culinary uses. It's a dependable performer, giving a steady crop year after year. | No club votes yet |
| Granada Granada is a well-regarded variety, known for its large, deep red fruit with a rich, full-bodied flavor. It's a solid choice for juice and for enjoying fresh from the tree. | No club votes yet |
| Haku Botan Haku Botan is a bit different, often grown for its ornamental qualities as well as its fruit, which tends to be smaller. It's a lovely choice if you want a pretty plant that also gives you a harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Nana (Dwarf) Now, this little beauty is a compact variety, absolutely perfect if you're short on space or want to grow in a pot. You can have your own pomegranates even on a patio or small balcony. | No club votes yet |
| Surh Anor Surh Anor is known for its robust growth and consistent production of good quality fruit. It's a reliable performer that will give you a satisfying harvest season after season. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Pomegranate seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 4 | April to May | July to September |
| Zone 5 | March to May | July to September |
| Zone 6 | March to November | June to September |
| Zone 7 | March to November | June to September |
| Zone 8 | February to November | May to September |
| Zone 9 | February to December | May to September |
| Zone 10 | November to February | April to September |
Cook the harvest
Fesenjan is one of Iran's most celebrated dishes — a rich, deeply flavoured stew of chicken braised in a sauce of ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses that is simultaneously sweet, sour, nutty, and warmly spiced. Pomegranate is the heart of the dish, providing an irreplaceable tart complexity that builds into a sauce of extraordinary depth over hours of gentle simmering. This is heirloom cooking at its most magnificent.
110 min · mediumA glossy, lacquered pomegranate molasses glaze brushed over lamb chops or a rack of lamb in the final minutes of cooking, creating a deeply caramelized, sweet-sour crust that is one of the most spectacular flavor combinations in Middle Eastern cuisine. The tartness of the molasses cuts through the richness of the lamb perfectly, and the glaze produces a beautiful mahogany color. Scatter with pomegranate arils to finish.
30 min · easyChicken thighs are roasted under a sticky, sweet-tart pomegranate molasses glaze that caramelises to a deep, lacquer-like finish with an intensely fruity, slightly tart complexity. This is a recipe where pomegranate is the hero — not as a garnish but as the central flavour of the sauce. Served with jewelled couscous or flatbread and a scatter of pomegranate seeds, it is a stunning and memorable dinner.
55 min · easyMuhammara is a magnificent Syrian roasted red pepper and walnut dip that gets its distinctive sweet-sour depth from pomegranate molasses — one of the most complex and rewarding dips in the Middle Eastern pantry. Rich, smoky, slightly sweet, and tangy all at once, it is absolutely extraordinary spread on warm flatbread, served with grilled meats, or simply scooped up with crudités. This version uses store-bought pomegranate molasses for convenience.
15 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: nasturtium, chives, comfrey, white clover, yarrow, daffodils, clover
Questions people ask
When do you sow Pomegranate in the US?
Sow Pomegranate from March to November in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out December, after the last frost.
How long does Pomegranate take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 730 days, with the harvest June to September.
Which Pomegranate varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Wonderful, Parfianka, Kara Bala Miursal, Ambrosia and more.
Track your Pomegranate from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.