Types of pomegranate trees have been cultivated for centuries. They add an ornamental value to your garden, and some can also be grown indoors in pots.
Our gardening team has created a list of seven beautiful pomegranate varieties to plant – among them, the angel read and the sin pepe pomegranates.
Pomegranate Trees You Can Grow Indoors and Outdoors
1. Eversweet Pomegranate
Distinguishing characteristics
It’s grown as an ornamental shrub or espalier with arching branches. When it’s mature, the tree can reach a maximum height between 8 and 10 feet tall.
It bears fruit after one year of being planted from a nursery shrub that can be shipped to your location when you’re looking for a sweet pomegranate tree for sale.
Specific Needs
Pick the sunniest spot to grow this tree. It withstands different soil types but will thrive in well-draining soil.
This tree is hardy in USDA zones 7 to 11 and requires at least 8 hours of sunlight to stay in shape.
It self-pollinates and needs to be watered regularly.
Benefits
Fruits are usually harvested in late October or November and can stay stored for up to three months. Many believe this to be the sweetest and best pomegranate in the world.
This is one of the best pomegranate varieties for cooler climates, and it’s packed with fibers and minerals.
Common issues
Citrus flat mites can attack this plant and ruin the fruit.
This variety is highly resistant to most diseases but can be infected with the Cercospora fruit spot.
People grow this seedless and tasty sweet Punica granatum variety for its edible fruit. It thrives in coastal regions and can be a great choice if other pomegranate tree types won’t grow because the weather is too cold.
Unlike other fruits that typically have a purple heart, this one doesn’t stain, making it one of the most sought-after alternatives.
2. Dwarf Pomegranate
Distinguishing characteristics
This deciduous shrub is evergreen in warmer climates, and the beautiful green foliage changes yellow in the fall.
In the summer, brilliant red-orange flowers bloom, followed by red fruits.
The fruit is edible but too sour compared to other pomegranate types. It reaches a maximum height of between 2 and 4 feet.
Specific Needs
Mass planting in coastal and country gardens works for this shrub.
It must grow in a container in colder climates to protect it from cold weather, especially when paired with another compact variety like the Kashmir blend or Parfianka pomegranate.
It’s drought-tolerant once established, thrives in well-draining, moderately moist soil, and should be fertilized monthly.
Benefits
This will be a great option if you don’t have space to grow a regular tree.
The fruit juice is used to make soup and in salads.
Common issues
Alternaria fruit rot is a significant issue and usually affects this tree.
Aphids and omnivorous leaf rollers can attack the fruit and leaves.
A compact deciduous shrub that bears beautiful and tasty fruits. The compact size of the tree impacts the fruit, so they’re smaller than usual.
This is an excellent pomegranate variety for container planting and can reach its mature size when grown in a pot.
3. Angel Red Pomegranate
Distinguishing characteristics
The Punica granatum smith grows 10 feet tall and bears juicy and sweet fruits in September.
The red fruits have a soft rind, and the tree bears a heavy crop compared to other types.
Specific Needs
It thrives in USDA zones 7 to 11, but you can grow it in USDA zones 4 to 6 in a patio container.
It prefers rich and moist soil and needs to be kept in the sun.
Benefits
People usually grow this tree in their garden because the fruits are juicy and soft. Moreover, the dark green foliage and red-orange flowers will add excellent value to your landscape design.
This is a pomegranate fruit for colder climates. You might want to move your container pomegranate inside the house, where they will add beauty as indoor houseplants.
Common issues
Check the tree for leaf spot disease and fruit rot that damage the look of your plant and the quality of your harvest.
Several pests, including garden ants, false codling moths, and thrips, can also attack this plant, so you must remove infected leaves and fruits.
This new variety will bear a vibrant red fruit that ripens in the fall. It has a sweet-tart flavor with hints of currant, rhubarb, tart cherry, and raspberry taste.
The seeds are big and heavy compared to the overall size of the fruit, making it pretty heavy for how it looks.
4. Socotran Pomegranate
Distinguishing characteristics
People usually grow this tree for its ornamental value, and it can reach a maximum height of 33 feet tall in optimal conditions.
The foliage is deep green, and the tree bears red-orange fruits in winter.
It does well as an indoor bonsai plant.
Specific Needs
Tolerant of drought and salty conditions but needs access to full sun for the best flowering and fruiting.
It can tolerate various soil conditions, including alkaline and loamy types, but it has to be well-draining.
During dry weather, you must water it every two to four weeks, especially until it is established.
Benefits
The leaves and fruits represent a food source for various animals, and the fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds.
Although this tree grows in dry conditions, it’s tolerant of frost to survive in various weather conditions.
Common issues
Patience is needed when you grow this tree. After five or six years, it bears fruit to be an ornamental tree in your garden.
This tree is prone to root decay from fungal diseases in wet conditions.
The Punica protopunica is native to the Island of Socotra, and it thrives in dry conditions. This tree is different from other species because the flowers are more pink than red, and the fruit is smaller.
Scientifically, this is considered the forgotten sister of the common pomegranate.
5. Red Silk Pomegranate
Distinguishing characteristics
This tree is a semi-dwarf variety mainly grown for its high fruit production.
Grows to a height between 15 and 20 feet tall and bears sweet red fruits between August and September. However, some trees will bear their fruit in July.
Although these pomegranates are flavorful, people grow this tree for its attractive foliage and brightly colored fruits that contrast beautifully with the leaves.
Specific Needs
Grows well in USDA zones 7 to 10 and is considered winter hardy in its range.
You can grow it in the sunniest spot in your garden, where it can receive at least 10 hours of full sun.
Prefers well-draining soil and needs access to water to establish its extensive root system.
Benefits
This can be a great companion plant for several edible herbs like dill, parsley, cilantro, and mint, as it won’t deplete nutrients.
Several dwarf cultivars are good choices for container or patio plants, especially in colder climates.
Common issues
This variety is pretty resistant to pests and diseases, but it can be infested by leaf spots that can spread to the fruits to become black patches.
Heart rot or black heart can infect this tree, especially in water-saturated soil.
This will be one of the fastest-growing fruit trees on your property. The fruit tastes crisp like an apple, and the tree’s size makes it a good choice for small urban gardens.
However, the fruits are rather large, and they taste very sweet.
6. Wonderful Pomegranate
Distinguishing characteristics
One of the most versatile varieties and an excellent choice for poor soil and novice gardeners.
Has long, slender leaves that turn golden-yellow in the fall. The fruits taste a little tangy, and the tree provides an all-year interest in your garden.
The tree reaches 10 to 15 feet tall and will spread about 10 feet wide. The crimson red blooms will appear in the spring and summer, and the fruits will appear in late September.
Specific Needs
The pomegranate wonderful variety is probably the most commercially grown pomegranate, as it can survive in different locations. It also thrives as an indoor plant in the right conditions.
Thrives in USDA 2 to 11 growing zones, so it will grow where other fruit varieties struggle or you face problems growing pomegranates.
The tree prefers to grow in loamy soil, receiving at least 10 hours of full sun. However, it takes two or three years to bear fruit.
Benefits
More resistant to pests and diseases than other varieties.
This is a long-lived variety and produces large fleshy fruits.
The flowers can attract hummingbirds to your garden.
Common issues
You should plan because growing this tree in wet locations can lead to several diseases. You should also avoid overwatering your tree.
Leaf-footed bugs usually attack this tree and can cause substantial damage to the fruit as they suck on the juice.
This pomegranate tree grows some of the largest fruits and is considered to be one of the best pomegranate trees for southern California. This isn’t the sweetest pomegranate variety but the most widespread. It’s usually grown for its ornamental value in gardens.
7. Sin Pepe Pomegranate
Distinguishing characteristics
Some people think this tree produces seedless fruits, but they have soft seeds that make it a desirable choice for fruit gardens.
The tree grows to an average height of 10 feet tall and is grown for its ornamental value, in addition to the delicious fruit.
This perennial tree can be evergreen or deciduous, depending on its location.
Specific Needs
Regular pruning will keep this tree at 10 feet tall, but it can grow to be 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
It thrives in well-draining soil and should be grown in the sun.
Regular watering is needed during the first growing season until the root system is established.
Benefits
This sweet pomegranate variety has non-staining juice.
The shrub can be pruned to add beauty to your Mediterranean garden. You can also prune it to grow it as a container plant.
Common issues
Gray mold is transferred in air-borne spores and can infect unripe fruits and flowers. Poor air circulation will worsen the case.
Cercospora fruit spot or black mold starts on the leaves, forming patches that later infect the fruit.
Also called pink satin, this variety grows fruits with very soft seeds. The fruits are ready to harvest in September and October and have a tasty fruit punch-like flavor, so they’re suitable for eating and juicing. Many people mistake this for the golden globe, although it’s more yellow.
Conclusion
Pomegranate types can survive in different locations, but they appreciate access to full sun to stay healthy.
Some notes to keep in mind when choosing your pomegranate:
Some types, like the Socotran variety, can grow to a massive size.
Compact types like the dwarf variety can grow as ornamental shrubs.
Some types, like the wonderful variety, are more resistant to cold weather.
Some varieties will bear fruits faster, like the eversweet variety.
With all these pomegranate kinds, you’ll always find the best variety to grow in your garden. So, which one are you planning to grow next?
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