Yes, you can grow pomegranates from seeds and the process is simpler than most people think. The catch is that your seed-grown tree may produce fruit that tastes different from the parent pomegranate you took the seeds from. The fruit size, flavor, and color can all vary because each seed creates a new genetic mix rather than a clone.
I tried this with seeds from a store-bought Wonderful pomegranate two years ago. For pomegranate seed germination, I soaked the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to soften the coating. Then I pressed them into moist seed-starting mix about half an inch deep. I covered the tray with plastic wrap and set it on a warm windowsill. The first tiny green sprouts broke through the soil about 5 weeks later.
Those early weeks of pomegranate seed germination taught me patience. The seedlings grew slow in the first few months. Each one put out just a couple of small leaves at a time. I kept the soil moist but not wet and made sure they got plenty of light. By month three, the strongest seedlings stood about 4 inches tall and started growing faster.
Here's the science behind why seed-grown fruit can surprise you. Each pomegranate seed carries a unique mix of genes from both parent flowers. This means your seedling is a brand new plant, not a copy. Cuttings work different because they are exact clones of the parent tree. A cutting from a Wonderful pomegranate will always make Wonderful fruit. A seed from that same tree might give you something sweet, sour, or somewhere in between.
University of Georgia CAES research shows seed-grown trees take about 3 years to produce their first fruit. Trees grown from cuttings fruit by year 2 since they skip the juvenile growth phase. That extra year matters if you want fruit fast. But if you enjoy the process and don't mind a surprise, growing from seed is a fun project.
If you want to try it yourself, follow these steps. Soak your seeds for 24 hours in room temperature water. Plant them in moist seed-starting mix and keep the soil at 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C). Cover the container to hold in moisture. Expect sprouts in 4 to 6 weeks and plan on at least 3 years before you see any fruit on your tree.
The pomegranate from seed vs cutting choice comes down to your goals. Pick seeds if you enjoy growing plants from scratch and don't mind a fruit flavor gamble. Pick cuttings if you want guaranteed fruit quality and a faster harvest. Either way, you end up with a beautiful tree that gives your yard great fall color. I'd suggest trying both methods so you can see the difference for yourself firsthand.
Read the full article: Growing Pomegranate: Expert Advice
