Pomegranate trees are an excellent addition to any landscape or garden, but before committing to growing one of these fruit trees it’s important to understand not only how to care for them but also how quickly these trees grow and how long until they start to bear fruit.
Pomegranate trees can take anywhere from two to five years to bear fruit. The exact length of time that each variety takes to grow is based on certain factors, such as the specific cultivar and whether you chose to begin with a seed or a sapling.
There’s much more to the life cycle of a pomegranate tree than that, however, if you want a true understanding of not only how these trees mature but also how to care for them at all stages of their growth – keep reading – because we’re going to talk about that today!
How Quickly Does a Pomegranate Tree Grow?
A common question that many people ask when considering whether or not to grow a pomegranate tree of their own is ‘how quickly do pomegranate trees grow?. And this is indeed an important question! After all, no one wants to wait years and years for their first pomegranate harvest!
Once your pomegranate tree begins to bear fruit it will take five to seven months for that fruit to ripen and be ready for harvest.
That being said, once a pomegranate tree has reached maturity, it will continue to produce fruit for the next decade at least as long as it is cared for properly, making those first few years of growth well worth the effort.
Thankfully, pomegranate trees are similar to many other fruit trees in that they only take a few years to grow and become mature enough to bear fruit.
How Many Years Does It Take for a Pomegranate Tree to Mature?
The specific length of time from planting to harvest depends on a few different factors, including whether you begin with a pomegranate sapling purchased from a nursery or start entirely from scratch by planting pomegranate seeds.
In most cases, you can expect your pomegranate tree to take anywhere from two to five years to reach the ‘adult’ stage of its life.
And while this might seem like a long wait for homegrown pomegranates, don’t be discouraged! They’re actually considered fast-growing when compared with other types of fruit trees (such as sweet cherry, pear, and plum trees that can take up to 7 years to grow fruit.
How Long It Takes To Grow A Pomegranate Tree (Full Timeline)
While knowing how long it takes to grow a pomegranate tree, in general, is undoubtedly helpful, if you’re planning to grow one or more pomegranate trees of your own it’s also important to have a solid understanding of not only how long it will take your tree to reach maturity but also the stages of life it goes through as it does so.
In order to help you with this, we’ve put together a timeline that will give you some additional information about these different stages.
You can, of course, expect some slight differences in the growth timeline for your pomegranate tree depending on whether you choose to grow your tree from seed or get a headstart by purchasing and transplanting a young sapling, but we will be going over these differences so that you know what to expect either way and don’t need to worry.
Day 1: Planting Your Pomegranate (Seeds vs Saplings)
As mentioned earlier, there are some slight differences when it comes to the early stages of your pomegranate tree depending on whether you began with seeds or saplings. But don’t stress out! We’re going to go over the specifics of both situations so you’ll know what to expect either way. Without further ado, let’s begin!
Starting With Seeds
Beginning with seeds is a fairly straightforward process. As one might expect, you start by planting the pomegranate seeds in soil; it’s generally recommended that pomegranate seeds be planted in loose soil at a depth of about half an inch.
Most people will start their pomegranate seeds off in small pots that are kept in an indoor environment; this is usually the recommended course of action since it allows you to closely monitor any potential growth while also protecting your seeds from inclement weather conditions while young and vulnerable.
Assuming the newly-planted seeds are kept at room temperature (which is generally considered to be in the range of 68° to 72° Fahrenheit), they will germinate and sprout in about a month or so!
A quick trick of the trade – an even warmer temperature, up to 85° Fahrenheit, can encourage faster germination!
If you’re looking for some seeds, head over to Amazon and purchase these Pomegranate Seeds For Planting!
Starting With Saplings
In most cases, at-home gardeners begin with seedlings or saplings purchased from a nursery or garden center because of the benefits this option offers because you don’t have to wait for a seed to germinate, sprout, and grow large enough to transplant outside; a sapling will already be at that stage!
In any case, planting a pomegranate tree sapling is also fairly straightforward, although there are some things to keep in mind throughout the process.
- Proper Placement
Location is, of course, a key factor to consider when adding a pomegranate tree sapling to your garden or landscape.
Not only do you need to place your sapling somewhere where it will get plenty of direct natural light (pomegranate trees need full sun to thrive) but you also need to factor in your tree’s eventual growth. After all, it’s not going to stay a small sapling forever!
It is so important to take the time to plant your pomegranate tree in a location that will allow it plenty of space to grow as it matures.
- Protecting Your Tree’s Roots
When transplanting your new pomegranate tree into the ground, it’s important to protect the sapling’s roots from excessive damage.
Damaged roots can have a negative impact on your tree’s ability to take in both moisture and vital nutrients that it needs to grow and develop, so do your best to be delicate when moving your tree to its new home.
Furthermore, when planting your tree make sure to dig a hole that is at least twice as large as the root ball; this will help prevent the roots from being cramped or crushed during the transplanting process.
- To Prune or Not To Prune
Many at-home gardeners wonder whether or not pruning their pomegranate tree is something they need to do in the first year.
According to the UCANR, while pruning shouldn’t be necessary for the first year after planting, you may need to prune your pomegranate tree during its dormant period the following year to encourage fruit production.
For additional information on not only when to prune your pomegranate tree but also how to do so properly, we recommend consulting with an arborist. With that, we have a great article about pruning large trees, that we recommend you check out as well, and we’ll tell you right now the best time is during its dormancy period!
Year 1: Seedlings, Saplings, and What To Expect in the First Twelve Months
The specific growth stages to expect within the first year of having your pomegranate tree depends greatly on whether or not you began with a seed or a seedling/sapling.
We’re going to go over the specifics for both possibilities so that you’re not in the dark regardless of your personal set of circumstances.
The First Year When Starting From Seed:
When starting from seed, your pomegranate tree will spend most of its first year as a fairly vulnerable seedling before it grows large enough to be considered a young sapling (generally speaking, a tree is not considered a sapling until it is at least three or four feet tall).
This early stage is also when your tree is most vulnerable to pests and tree disease.
In any case, as your pomegranate tree progresses from seedling to sapling, you should see not only an increase in height, width, and foliage but also a thickening of the tree’s bark.
Once Your Tree Becomes a Sapling
Once your tree has developed thicker bark and reached the sufficient height to be considered a proper sapling, it will be much better established than before and as such be less vulnerable to damage from pests and plant diseases.
Your tree from this point on will continue to grow and develop for another one to three years, at which point it will reach maturity and begin producing fruit (a stage of life we will discuss further a little later on in this article).
The First Year When Starting With a Sapling
When starting with a sapling purchased from a local garden center or nursery, you will have a slight advantage because your tree already passed through a vulnerable stage!
Generally speaking, pomegranate tree saplings purchased from a nursery will be anywhere from one year to three years old already, meaning that you will need to tailor your care accordingly and also begin making preparations for when your tree begins to flower and produce fruit (something that we will discuss more in-depth momentarily).
In most cases, caring for a transplanted pomegranate tree sapling is fairly straightforward. As long as it is transplanted correctly and cared for properly, your sapling should develop normally and begin producing fruit either the following fruiting season or the fruiting season of the year after that.
Years 2 – 5: Fruit Production Begins
The year your pomegranate begins to produce fruit depends somewhat on what specific cultivar you’ve chosen to grow!
In most cases, pomegranate trees will be sufficiently mature to flower and bear fruit after two and a half or three years (trees grown from seed will, of course, take longer to become established in comparison to trees that were planted as saplings).
According to this pomegranate production guide hosted by the University of Georgia, most pomegranate trees begin to bloom in the spring and are typically self-fruitful.
In any case, your pomegranate tree will most likely continue flowering and setting fruit for the next two or three months once it begins to blossom (with the standard flowering period usually running from April to June).
Although the exact time of year and the fruiting period’s duration can vary based on which cultivar you have chosen to grow, the pomegranate fruit itself typically ripens in time for a fall harvest.
How To Know When to Harvest Your Pomegranates
Generally speaking, it can take quite some time for the pomegranate fruit to not only develop fully but also ripen completely. It is important to try to let your fruit ripen fully before harvesting it because unripe pomegranates tend to be more acidic and have a less satisfying flavor.
The most effective way for knowing whether or not your pomegranates are ready for harvest is to check the skin of the fruit. As pomegranates ripen, they lose some of their hard smooth texture, becoming softer and rougher to the touch.
Another way to check ripeness is to feel the weight of the fruit; ripe pomegranates will be noticeably heavier than unripe pomegranates.
Years 15+: Fruit Production Slows
While pomegranate trees themselves can live for many years (there are even reports of some pomegranate trees living for over a century!) fruit production has a tendency to slow down after about a decade or so after reaching full maturity
As such, once a pomegranate tree gets to be around fifteen years old, it will start producing less fruit; furthermore, this fruit will also start to deteriorate in overall quality, with less flavor in comparison to earlier harvests.
There are some varieties of pomegranate trees that can continue producing quality crops of fruit even into their 20s and 30s but it’s important to remember that the older your tree is, the less likely it becomes that it will produce a bountiful and flavorful harvest.
Pomegranate Tree Care Tips (What Do Pomegranate Trees Need?)
Now that we’ve gone over a full timeline for growing pomegranate trees and discussed what to expect at those different stages of growth, let’s take a few moments to talk about the type of conditions and care pomegranate trees need to thrive.
Appropriate Climate Is Important
Generally speaking, according to the USDA, pomegranate trees do best in Hardiness Zones 8-11. This is because they are native to the Mediterranean, and are used to hotter and drier weather.
As such, when grown outdoors they often thrive in the southwestern regions of the United States (although they can also be successfully grown outdoors in warmer south-eastern states such as Florida and Louisiana).
Sun Is Required
As a species native to warmer and more arid climates, pomegranate trees are also accustomed to growing in locations with plenty of sunlight.
Pomegranate trees need to be grown in full sun; this means that they need six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day in order to remain healthy and achieve optimal growth.
There are some cultivars that can be grown in partial shade, but it’s important to do the appropriate research before going this route.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that when it comes to fruit production, growing in the full sun really is the best option (since the overall productivity of your trees as well as the quality and flavor of the fruit can be affected by how much sun the trees receive).
Loamy Soil Is The Best
According to the University of Florida, pomegranate trees are fairly adaptable when it comes to the soil but typically prefer loamy soil with good drainage.
Furthermore, pomegranate trees are also very adaptable when it comes to the pH level of the soil, and are capable of thriving in soils with a pH level in the range between 5.5 and 7.2.
Don’t Overwater
As mentioned above, pomegranate trees prefer well-draining soil; as such, it’s important that you don’t overwater them, as this could lead to waterlogged or boggy soil.
It is also worth noting that pomegranate trees by nature are fairly drought-tolerant.
That being said, it’s still important to make sure that your pomegranate trees are receiving enough moisture to grow and remain healthy (the specific amount of watering necessary can vary depending on factors such as soil type and local weather conditions).
It’s especially important to ensure that your pomegranate trees are getting sufficient water during the fruit-bearing season since not receiving enough water during this time can have an impact on fruit production.
Fertilize Your Tree When It’s Mature
While it is not always recommended to fertilize pomegranate trees during the first or second year of life, once a tree has reached maturity it can be a good idea to fertilize it twice a year (once in the spring and then once more in the fall).
Products such as Dr. Earth’s Premium Fruit Tree Fertilizer can be useful in this regard.
Recap
And there we have it! Remember, when it comes to the growth timeline of a pomegranate tree:
- Growing your trees from seeds rather than transplanting seedlings or saplings will result in a longer wait until fruit production and harvest
- Flowering and fruit production will not occur until the tree reaches maturity (usually after 2 to 5 years of growth depending on various factors)
- Flowering and fruiting is a process that can take a few months
- While pomegranate trees can be extremely long-lived (with some trees living centuries) fruit quality will begin to drop after about 15 years, with the pomegranates themselves often having less flavor in comparison to earlier harvests
And when it comes to caring for your pomegranate trees, don’t forget:
- While some pomegranate trees can tolerate partial shade, the species as a whole thrives in full sun; try to make sure your pomegranate trees receive 6 to 8 hours of direct natural light a day
- Pomegranate trees are fairly adaptable when it comes to the soil they grow in, but typically prefer loamy soil with good drainage
- Pomegranate trees are drought-tolerant but still need enough water to remain healthy, particularly during the fruit-bearing season
- Prune your pomegranate tree as needed during its dormancy period (but only after it is fully mature and well-established)
- Wait for your pomegranate fruit to ripen fully before harvesting; unripe pomegranates are edible but have subpar flavor
- When in doubt, consult an arborist or fruit tree specialist for advice
That’s all for now! We hope you’ve found this article helpful and informative for understanding not only the typical growth timeline for pomegranate trees in general but also how to care for your own pomegranate tree during the various stages of its life.
Resources
P. Melgarejo, R. Martinez-Valero, JM Guillamon, M. Miro, & A. Amoros. (n.d.). Phenological stages of the pomegranate tree … – Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1744-7348.1997.tb05789.x
qizi, I. K. D., Hasanovna, P. M., & qizi, T. D. I. (n.d.). Pomegranate fruit growing and storage technology. Middle European Scientific Bulletin. http://cejsr.academicjournal.io/index.php/journal/article/view/1089
Volschenk, T. (2020, July 10). Water use and irrigation management of Pomegranate Trees – A Review. Agricultural Water Management. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378377420303231
Y. Shulman, L. Feinberstein, & S. Lavee. (2015, November 27). Pomegranate fruit development and maturation. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00221589.1984.11515196
Zarei, M., Azizi, M., & Bashir-Sadr, Z. (2011, March 28). Evaluation of physicochemical characteristics of pomegranate (punica granatum L.) fruit during ripening: Fruits. Cambridge Core.. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/fruits/article/abs/evaluation-of-physicochemical-characteristics-of-pomegranate-punica-granatum-l-fruit-during-ripening/2A4C13B75BFC2AEED2AECE1AEA2EBD3C
