Pomegranate
Punica granatum
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Guam, Iran, Iraq, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Palau, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Turkmenistan
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lythraceae
- Genus:
- Punica
- Species:
- Punica granatum
- USDA Symbol:
- PUGR2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- orange, red
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Black-etched Prominent (Cerura scitiscripta), Cacao moth (Ephestia elutella), Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), Cryptoblabes sp., Eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis), Filbertworm (Cydia latiferreana), Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella), navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella), Omnivorous Leafroller (Platynota stultana), stored nut moth (Paralipsa gularis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire or severe damage.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers deep soil with good aeration
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–45 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best at 68-75°F. Fresh seed germinates more readily than dried seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI