How to Grow Pomegranate in Pots | Growing Anar

Do not let the small space stop you from growing fruits! Learn How to Grow Pomegranate in Pots and relish its juicy harvest!

Anar not only gives a bountiful harvest but also looks great in pots with its lush green foliage and large re fruits. The best part is, you can easily grow its dwarf varieties in a small space. Here’s all you need to know about How to Grow Pomegranate in Pots!

Botanical Name: Punica granatum

Common Indian Names: Anar, Kamphoi, Madulai, Dalimb, Danimma

Learn about the best Pomegranate growing season in India here

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Propagating Pomegranate in Containers

Pomegranate grows best from seeds and cuttings. Growing it from cuttings saves a lot of time and it is a fairly easy process. You can propagate pomegranate in India at any time of the year, but the monsoon is considered most optimum for their cultivation.

From Cuttings

• Snip off 6-8 inches of cutting from a healthy branch. Make sure the cutting has 3-4 nodes.
• Remove the leaves from the lower part.
• Dip the ends in a rooting hormone and plant it in a well-draining potting mix.
• Water well and keep the container in a bright location.
• New shoots will appear in 1-2 weeks and the cutting will take around 4-5 months to establish properly.

From Seeds

• You can buy quality seeds from the local nursery shop.
• Soak the seeds in lukewarm water overnight before sowing to increase the germination chances.
• Fill a small container or seedling tray with a seed starting mix.
• Sow the seeds half an inch deep in the soil. Mist thoroughly and cover the tray with plastic.
• Place it at a location where it gets bright, indirect sunlight.
• The seeds will germinate in 3-4 weeks.

Note: You can also buy a sapling from the local nursery and plant it directly in the container filled with commercial potting mix. It will save you a lot of time!

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Best Pot Size for Pomegranate

The pot size depends on the variety you are growing. Most of the dwarf varieties grow 2-5 feet, and 12-14 inches of pot would be more than enough. Do make sure that the pot has drainage holes at the bottom.

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Growing Requirements for Pomegranate in Pots

Sunlight

Pomegranate requires plenty of light to grow, so choose a spot that receives 4-6 hours of full sun. Though it can tolerate some partial shade, the production and taste of the fruits would not be great.

Soil

The plant does best in well-draining and fertile soil with a pH of around 6-8. It can thrive in a wide range of soil types but consider using the commercial potting mix for containers for the best results.

Water

Water the soil when the top one inch of the soil in the container feels dry to touch. Do make sure that you are not keeping the growing medium overly damp. Also, avoid wetting the foliage unnecessarily. The plant will require frequent watering sessions in Indian summers.

Climate

Pomegranate is fond of hot climates and the tropical climate of India works wonders for the plant. The ideal temperature for growing pomegranate is 20-30 C. Make sure the temperature should not drop below 5 C.

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Taking Care of Pomegranate in Pots

Fertilizer

An all-purpose liquid fertilizer, diluted to half of its strength will give it the needed boost in growth. Feed it every alternate week during the growing phase of springs and summers. Refer to the label for dosage and instructions.

You can also add compost or well-rotted manure once a month.

Pruning

Trim off any diseased and broken branches from the plant from time to time. Young plants produce many shoots from the base and you can prune them to keep their size and shape in check after the first year.

Re-potting

When the roots start to come out of the drainage holes or topsoil, then it’s an indication that the plant has become root-bound. In such a case, transfer it to a container that’s not more than one size bigger than the old pot. Always use fresh potting mix while re-potting.

Pests and Diseases

The plant is susceptible to Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Spray the plant with neem oil, garlic spray, or soap solution to keep them at bay. Also, the plant is susceptible to root rot, and fungal diseases – make sure that you are never keeping the soil overwatered.

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Harvesting Pomegranate in Pots

Pomegranate grown from the seeds will start producing fruits after 4-5 years. The ones grown from cuttings will fruit from the second year. Harvest the fruits when they attain deep red color. But, do not wait for too long, else the skin will start cracking. Use a sanitized knife or scissors to make a clean cut.

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