Pomegranates

Pomegranates are easy to grow in the Houston area with no disease and no pests. All the varieties described below need 150-200 chill hours each winter to produce fruit, which means that anywhere in the greater Houston area will be fine places to grow these pomegranates. The juice around the seeds is very delicious and a delight to eat. Fruit can be juiced and the seeds removed through a strainer, if you object to a mouthful of often edible delicious seeds.

Care of Pomegranate Trees  

Planting: Plant the tree 6' to 8' from the nearest tree. They can be planted closer, but there will be very little room between trees, even though the tree is upright in its growth pattern. A hole larger than the container should be dug and the side soil in the hole needs to be broken up a little. Then the tree is placed in the hole at the depth of the soil in the container. Put the soil that was dug up around the planted tree and compress the soil to get rid of air pockets.

Production: These trees may produce fruit in the second year but it is a good idea to pick the fruit off immediately and let the tree put all its energy into growth rather than fruit production. Young trees will flower and then drop their flower which means that they are not yet mature enough to produce fruit.

Harvesting: Pomegranates ripen in the fall, any time from early August to late September. When the fruit has a good color, pick off one and open it. If there is fully colorful seeds and juice inside, then it is ripe.

Varieties of Pomegranates for the Houston Area Climate

Garnet Sash Vigorous tree sets big crops of large, dark red fruit with deep-red, partially edible sweet-tart seeds. Can be grown as a shrub or tree and kept any height by summer pruning. Eat fresh or use in cooking. Excellent source of antioxidants. Requires Self fruitful.

Cloud Medium-sized fruit with a green-red color. Juice sweet and white. One of the very best tasting pomegranates. We are excited to finally have this variety.

Kashmir Blend Medium size pomegranate with light pink-red exterior. Ruby red seeds have intense flavor with no overbearing acidic taste. Tree has a slightly spreading growth habit and can also be grown as a shrub. Keep any height with summer pruning. Excellent source of antioxidants- eat fresh or use in cooking. Self fruitful.

Pink Satin Medium to large size fruit with dark red flesh and medium light-pink edible seeds. Wonderful refreshing juice is non-staining, with a sweet, fruit-punch flavor. Plant is vigorous and can be grown as a shrub or tree and kept any height by summer pruning. Eat fresh, juice or use in salads. Self fruitful.

Red Silk Medium to large size fruit with a pinkish-red exterior. Firm yet edible seeds have a sweet berry flavor and a great acid/sugar balance. Naturally semi-dwarf tree has a slightly-spreading grown habit and sets large crops. Grow as a tree or shrub and keep any height by summer pruning. Excellent source of antioxidants. Eat fresh or use in cooking. Self fruitful.

Sharp Velvet Large sized pomegranate with a very appealing, unique refreshing flavor. Fruit has a dark red exterior and dark seeds, the color of crushed-red velvet. Upright growing tree sets huge crops of highly ornamental fruit and can be kept any height with summer pruning. Eat fresh or use in cooking. An excellent source of antioxidants. Requires Self-fruitful.