The pomegranate is an ancient fruit native to Persia, in what is now modern day Iran. Once the plants were discovered by travelers, people were quickly planting pomegranate trees throughout the regions of Asia, Africa, and Europe surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.
Over the millennia, the luscious fruit has worked its way into the mythology of the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks; been praised in both the Bible and Talmud; and featured in major works of art. One can almost hear the traders along the ancient Silk Road trade route asking questions about how to grow a pomegranate tree and how to market this remarkable fruit.
Over the ensuing years, the pomegranate became the fruit of royalty. This rich history, steeped in myth and romance, can probably be attributed to the fruit's uniqueness; for it is truly unique. The pomegranate, Punica granatum, belongs to a family of plants that has only one genus and two species - the other only found on the island of Socotra, an island in the Indian Ocean.
How to Grow a Pomegranate Tree from Seeds
There isn't much to say about how to plant a pomegranate seed since these seeds sprout readily without too much help. The seeds should be cleaned of the fleshy aril surrounding them and should be planted in loose soil with a covering layer about a 1/2 inch (1.5 cm).
Heat should be second on your pomegranate seed care list. These seeds will germinate at normal room temperature in about 30-40 days. Bring the soil temperature up a few degrees and you can cut this time in half. Try surrounding your plant with foil and placing it in direct sun until the seedlings sprout.
There is another method that should be mentioned when describing how to plant a pomegranate seed. It's called the baggie method. Some gardeners swear by this method for growing pomegranate from seeds. Wet a coffee filter and wring out the excess water. Sprinkle the cleaned seed on one quarter of the filter. Carefully fold the filter into quarters and slide it into a sealable plastic bag. Store in a warm place and check the bag every few days for germination.
Once the pomegranate seeds sprout, transfer them to a pot. Use any small container that has good drainage and plant two to three seeds per pot. You can pinch off the weaker seedlings after they are a few weeks old or transplant them to their own pot. That's it!
