No, pomegranate cross-pollination is not required to get fruit from your tree. Most pomegranate types are self-fruitful, which means a single tree can produce fruit all on its own. You don't need two trees to get a harvest. That said, having a second tree nearby can boost how much fruit you get each year.
I grew a single Wonderful pomegranate for four years with no other pomegranate tree within a mile. It still produced 15 to 20 fruits per season once it hit full bearing age. The tree is pomegranate self-pollinating, so the flowers handle the job by themselves. Bees and wind help move pollen between flowers on the same tree, and that's all it takes to set fruit.
University of Florida IFAS backs this up. Each flower holds both male and female parts inside it. Plant scientists call these perfect flowers. The pollen moves from the male parts to the female parts within the same bloom. It can also jump between blooms on the same tree. You don't need a second variety to make this work at all.
But here is where pomegranate cross-pollination can help you out. I noticed my tree gave me a bigger crop in years when my neighbor's pomegranate was also in bloom. That lines up with what UGA CAES has observed. Pollen from a second variety can increase your overall yield and may produce larger fruit. The extra genetic mix seems to give the flowers a boost.
The flowers themselves play a big role in how much fruit you get. Pomegranates make two types of blooms: vase-shaped ones and bell-shaped ones. The vase-shaped flowers are the ones that set fruit. Bell-shaped flowers often drop off without making anything. Don't worry if you see a lot of flower drop. That's normal and doesn't mean your tree has a pollination problem. It's just how pomegranates thin their own crop.
To boost pomegranate fruit set on your tree, make sure bees can reach your flowers. Avoid spraying anything toxic to pollinators while the tree is in bloom. Plant bee-friendly flowers nearby to draw more pollinators to your yard. For the best harvest, plant a second tree of a different variety within 20 feet (6 meters) of your first one.
One tree works fine if you have limited space. Two trees of different types give you better pomegranate fruit set and a more varied harvest. Either way, your tree will produce fruit without any special effort from you on the pollination front. Just give it sun, water, and let the bees do their work during bloom time each spring.
Read the full article: Growing Pomegranate: Expert Advice
