How to grow Pomegranate in Australia
Pomegranate is a tough, deciduous small tree or shrub with glossy leaves, bright red flowers loved by honeyeaters, and leathery fruit packed with juicy, tart-sweet seeds. It is very cold tolerant and loves hot, dry summers, so it grows in most of Australia. Plant it in the hottest spot you have, and water evenly to stop the fruit splitting.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pomegranate in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | June to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | June to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | June to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | June to August | |
| Adelaide & SA | June to August | |
| Perth & WA | June to August | |
| Tasmania | September and October | Marginal. The bush is hardy but fruit rarely ripens in cool summers. Hottest wall only. Plant Sep to Oct. |
| Canberra & ACT | September and October | Marginal. The bush takes Canberra frost but fruit ripens late and is often caught by the April frosts. Plant Sep to Oct against a hot north wall and choose an early variety. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not reliable. Fruit ripens Feb to Mar in the peak of the wet, then splits and rots. Trial orchards at Mareeba have struggled for the same reason. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Needs some winter chill and a dry summer to ripen. Wet season humidity splits and rots fruit. |
Where to plant
Plant pomegranates in full sun in the hottest part of the garden, especially in cooler areas, where maximum sun is needed for fruit to ripen. They prefer slightly acid, well-drained soil but grow in a wide range of soils, including poor, heavy clay and alkaline ground. Protect young trees from spring frost.
Pomegranates need a hot, dry summer to ripen their fruit. Wet, humid weather at ripening splits and rots the fruit.
- Adelaide, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and inland areas: pomegranates grow and crop well.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: grow well; Queensland fruit fly control is important.
- Canberra: marginal. The bush takes frost, but fruit ripens late and can be caught by April frosts. Plant in spring against a hot north wall and choose an early variety.
- Hobart: marginal. The bush is hardy but fruit rarely ripens in cool summers; use the hottest wall.
- North Queensland and Darwin: not reliable. Fruit ripens in the wet season and splits and rots.
Choosing a variety
| Variety | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wonderful | Probably the most popular pomegranate: medium to large deep red fruit with juicy, sweet seeds on a vigorous tree |
| Elche | Spanish variety with pink fruit full of juicy seeds; may be less cold tolerant, so give it a warm spot |
| Gulosha azerbaijani | Plain-looking pinkish fruit with large, deep red, very juicy seeds |
| Ben Hur | A newer Australian-bred variety with very large fruit |
| Nana | A dwarf pomegranate about 1 m tall, suited to pots |
One tree is usually enough for a household. Plant a grafted or cutting-grown named variety rather than a seedling.
How to plant
- Plant bare-root or potted trees in winter while dormant, or in spring in frosty areas.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, and tease out the roots.
- Plant at the same depth as before, backfill and water well.
- Mulch around the tree, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk.
- Water deeply two or three times a week for the first six months, depending on the heat.
Watering and feeding
After the first six months, water deeply about once a week in the warm months. Keep the soil from drying out in spring, which improves growth and fruit set. Above all, keep moisture even while fruit is ripening: a sudden heavy soak after a dry spell cracks the skin. Established trees in heavy soil need less water.
Feed with compost or well-rotted manure in spring. Feed lightly, as too much nitrogen reduces flowering.
Pruning and care through the year
- Remove suckers from the base whenever they appear; they sap the tree's energy and reduce fruiting.
- Shape young plants to a single trunk with four or five main branches, or as a multi-stemmed shrub with up to about six stems.
- Prune lightly after harvest. Pomegranates fruit on spurs on mature wood, including near the branch tips, so do not tip prune every branch. In winter, remove dead, damaged or crowded wood and thin out old wood that has fruited for several years.
- Thin crowded fruit to increase the size of the rest.
- In fruit fly areas, bag fruit in mesh sleeves; the spiny branches make netting difficult. King parrots also take the fruit.
Harvesting
Fruit ripens in autumn, mostly from March to May. Pomegranates do not ripen further once picked, so wait until they are ready: the colour deepens, the shiny skin turns matte, the fruit feels heavy, and its shape changes from round to slightly six-sided. Pick the biggest, brightest fruit first.
Cut the fruit with secateurs rather than pulling. Whole fruit keeps for a week or so on the bench and for a couple of months in the fridge or a cool, dark place. The seeds freeze well.
Growing in pots
The dwarf Nana grows to about 1 m and suits a pot at least 40 cm wide in the sunniest spot you have. Water regularly in summer, as pots dry out quickly.
Using it
Score the skin, break the fruit open in a bowl of water and the seeds sink while the pith floats. Use the juicy seeds fresh in salads and desserts, sprinkled over Middle Eastern and North African dishes, or juiced.
Propagation
Pomegranates grow readily from hardwood cuttings taken in winter while the plant is dormant. Plants grown from seed may not be true to type.
Companion planting
Pomegranates suit a hot, dry, Mediterranean-style planting with herbs that share the same conditions.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Pests rarely trouble pomegranates, apart from fruit fly and birds. Splitting from uneven watering is the most common fruit problem.
Pests to watch for
- Fruit fly Queensland fruit fly stings the fruit despite the tough skin. Bag fruit in mesh sleeves and destroy fallen fruit.
- Aphis Small soft insects on new shoots and flower buds in spring.
- Birds Fruit pecked open on the tree, especially by parrots. Bag individual fruit.
Diseases to watch for
- Heart rot Fruit looks normal outside but the inside is brown and rotten. Pick and bin affected fruit and fallen fruit.
- Cercospora fruit spot Small dark spots on the fruit skin and leaves in humid weather. Remove fallen leaves and fruit.
Common questions
Why are my pomegranates splitting?
Uneven watering, especially a heavy soak or rain after a dry spell while the fruit is ripening. Keep moisture steady late in the season, and pick fruit once ripe.
How do I know when a pomegranate is ripe?
The colour deepens, the shiny skin turns matte, the fruit feels heavy and its shape becomes slightly six-sided. They do not ripen further after picking, so wait until they are ready.
How long does a pomegranate tree take to fruit?
About three years after planting.
Can I grow a pomegranate in a pot?
Yes. The dwarf variety Nana grows to about 1 m and suits a pot at least 40 cm wide in full sun.
Why is my pomegranate flowering but not fruiting?
Young plants often drop flowers and fruit as they settle. Too much nitrogen, too little sun or heat, and dry soil at flowering also reduce fruit set. Plant in the hottest spot and water evenly in spring.
When should I prune a pomegranate?
Lightly after harvest, with a winter tidy of dead and crowded wood. Remove suckers whenever they appear, and do not tip prune every branch, as fruit forms on spurs near the tips.
Do pomegranates get fruit fly?
Yes. Despite the leathery skin, Queensland fruit fly attacks them. Bag fruit in mesh sleeves in fruit fly areas.
Sources we checked: Sustainable Gardening Australia: Pomegranates; Local Food Connect (Robin Gale-Baker): Growing pomegranates.