How to grow Pomegranate in New Zealand
Pomegranate is a handsome deciduous shrub or small tree with glossy leaves, bright red-orange flowers in summer and jewel-like fruit in autumn. It is hardier than it looks and survives in most of New Zealand, but it needs a long, hot summer to ripen fruit, so it crops best in sunny, sheltered spots in the north and the dry east.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pomegranate in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | June to August | |
| Auckland | June to August | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | June to August | |
| Central North Island | June to August | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | June to August | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | June to August | |
| Canterbury | June to August | |
| Otago & Southland | June to August | Marginal. The tree survives, but the fruit needs a long hot summer to ripen and coastal Otago and Southland rarely give it. Plant it against a warm north wall for the tree and the flowers, not for a crop. |
| Central Otago | November | Marginal. The hot dry summers suit it, but winters below minus 10 can kill a young plant. Plant in November after the frosts against a hot wall and protect it for its first winters. |
Where to plant
Plant pomegranate in the sunniest, warmest spot you have, with deep, well-drained soil; about 50 cm of good soil is a sound start. A north-facing wall or fence adds the extra warmth the fruit needs. On clay soil, dig in compost and gypsum first.
The plant itself copes with cold and even grows in Canterbury where frosts are not extreme. The limit is summer heat: in cool, cloudy districts it flowers well but the fruit may not ripen.
- Northland, Auckland, coastal Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Nelson and Marlborough: the best districts for fruit. Plants may crop from their second or third year.
- Coastal Otago and Southland: marginal. Grow it against a warm north wall for its flowers, and treat any fruit as a bonus.
- Central Otago: the hot, dry summers suit it, but winters below about minus 10°C can kill a young plant. Plant in November after the frosts, against a hot wall, and protect it for its first winters.
Choosing a variety
- Buy a named, grafted or cutting-grown plant from a garden centre. Seedlings vary and take longer to fruit.
- Dwarf Nana grows to about 1 m and suits pots and small gardens. Its fruit is small and more ornamental than useful.
- Flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects through summer, and the fruit develops in autumn.
How to plant
- Soak a bare-root plant in a bucket of water for about 30 minutes before planting.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. Tease out any circling roots on a potted plant.
- Set the plant in, backfill and firm gently, then make a ring of soil around the root zone to hold water.
- Water in well and keep the soil moist for the first few weeks.
- Mulch with bark or pea straw, keeping it clear of the stem.
Watering and feeding
Once established, pomegranates need only occasional watering, except while they flower and set fruit. Water deeply and evenly through that period. Irregular watering, especially a big soak after a dry spell, makes the fruit split.
Feed with a citrus or fruit fertiliser that contains plenty of potash from spring to autumn, while the plant is flowering and fruiting.
Pruning and care through the year
- Remove suckers that come up from the base or below the graft. They do not fruit and take energy from the plant.
- Prune lightly after harvest to keep a good shape and to remove dead, damaged or crossing growth.
- In colder districts, cover young plants with frost cloth on cold nights in their first winters, and in spring if a late frost threatens new growth.
Harvesting
Fruit is usually ready from March to May, when the skin has coloured for its variety. Timing varies between varieties, so check the label. Cut the fruit off with secateurs rather than pulling.
Uneven water and heavy rain on ripe fruit make it split, so pick ripe fruit before a long spell of autumn rain.
Growing in pots
Pomegranates make good pot plants, especially the dwarf Nana. Use a pot at least 50 cm wide, the bigger the better, with a citrus and fruit potting mix, in full sun. Water deeply two or three times a week in the growing season and feed through spring and summer. A pot can be moved to a warm, sheltered spot in cold districts.
Companion planting
Pomegranate likes the same hot, dry, sunny conditions as Mediterranean herbs, which makes them easy neighbours.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Pomegranates have few serious problems in New Zealand. Sap-sucking insects are the main nuisance as the fruit ripens, and birds take ripe fruit.
Pests to watch for
- Aphids Clusters of small soft insects on new shoots and flower buds in spring.
- Mealybug White, cottony insects tucked into the crown of the fruit and leaf joints.
- Scale Small brown or white bumps on stems, often with black sooty mould.
- Whitefly Tiny white insects fly up from under the leaves.
- Birds Pecked, split fruit on the bush in autumn.
Diseases to watch for
- Heart rot
- Cercospora fruit spot
Common questions
Will a pomegranate grow in my part of New Zealand?
The plant survives in most of the country, including Canterbury, if frosts are not extreme. For fruit it needs a long, hot summer, so it crops best in Northland, Auckland, coastal Hawke's Bay and similar warm, sunny districts. In cooler places, grow it against a warm north wall.
How long until my pomegranate fruits?
Usually two to three years after planting in warm districts, and often longer in cool ones.
Why are my pomegranates splitting?
Splitting comes from uneven water, especially heavy rain or a deep watering after a dry spell while the fruit is ripening. Water evenly through flowering and fruiting, and pick ripe fruit before heavy autumn rain.
When is a pomegranate ripe?
Usually from March to May, when the skin has coloured fully for the variety. Ripe fruit feels heavy for its size. Cut it from the plant with secateurs.
What are the shoots coming up around my pomegranate?
Those are suckers. They grow from the base or from below the graft, will not flower or fruit, and take energy from the plant, so cut them off as they appear.
Can I grow pomegranate in a pot?
Yes. The dwarf Nana grows to about 1 m and suits a pot at least 50 cm wide. Water regularly while it flowers and fruits, and feed with a citrus fertiliser.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow pomegranate; Newstalk ZB: Ruud Kleinpaste's advice for growing pomegranates.