Pomegranates are a delicious fruit packed with nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Growing your own pomegranate tree from a cutting is an easy way to add this superfood to your garden or orchard Propagating pomegranate from cuttings allows you to replicate the parent plant’s genetics, so you’ll get identical fruit. With just a bit of time and effort, you’ll have a brand new pomegranate tree.
Why Propagate Pomegranate from Cuttings
There are a few reasons why propagating from a cutting is preferable to growing pomegranate from seed
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Guaranteed genetics. A cutting is genetically identical to the parent plant, so you’ll get the same fruit and plant characteristics. Pomegranate trees grown from seed can have unpredictable genetics.
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Faster fruiting. Trees started from cuttings may fruit in just 1-2 years, while seed-grown trees can take over 5 years to bear fruit.
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Easier process. Taking and rooting cuttings is less complicated than extracting, drying, storing, and germinating pomegranate seeds.
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More reliable. Cuttings readily form roots if given the right conditions, while germination rates for seeds can be variable.
Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Pomegranate Cuttings
Propagating pomegranate from cuttings follows a simple process. Here are the steps:
Choose a Healthy Parent Plant
Select a pomegranate tree that’s healthy, mature, and producing a good quantity of high-quality fruit. Take cuttings from branches that aren’t overly thick and woody. Prune off any flowers, fruits, or buds so the cutting can direct energy toward forming roots rather than fruiting.
Take 6-8 Inch Cuttings
Use sterilized, sharp pruners or scissors to take 6-8 inch cuttings from the parent plant during winter dormancy. Each cutting should have at least 2 leaf nodes where leaves emerge from the stem. Remove all but 1-2 leaves from each cutting.
Dip Cut End in Rooting Hormone
Optional but recommended, dip the cut end of each cutting in powdered rooting hormone. This contains plant growth regulators that encourage root formation. Shake off any excess powder.
Stick Cuttings in Potting Mix
Fill small pots with a well-draining potting mix. Poke holes and insert each cutting at least 2 inches deep. Gently firm the soil around the cuttings.
Enclose Pots in Plastic Bags
Place each potted cutting inside a clear plastic bag, sealing it closed to create a humid environment. Rooting works best at high humidity.
Place in Bright Shade
Keep pots in a bright location out of direct sun. Dappled sunlight or bright shade is ideal. Maintain temperatures around 70-80°F if possible.
Wait 6-8 Weeks for Roots
Be patient! It takes 4-8 weeks for pomegranate cuttings to form calluses and generate new roots. Check periodically to see if rooting has occurred.
Transplant into Larger Pots or Garden
Once cuttings have developed an ample root system, transplant them into larger pots or permanent spots in the garden. Gradually expose them to more sun over 7-10 days.
Tips for Successful Pomegranate Propagation
Follow these tips to ensure your pomegranate cuttings root quickly:
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Take cuttings first thing in the morning for maximum hydration.
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Use a sterile, sharp blade to prevent crushing stems.
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Cut just below a leaf node where roots will emerge.
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Remove flowers, fruits, and all but a few leaves.
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Optimal cutting size is 1/4-1/2 inches thick and 6-8 inches long.
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Dip cut ends in rooting hormone to spur root growth.
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Stick cuttings 2-3 inches deep in sterile, well-draining soil.
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Enclose in plastic to keep humidity very high.
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Keep soil moist but not saturated while rooting.
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Place in bright, indirect light and moderate warmth.
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Be patient! Rooting takes 1-2 months.
Common Questions about Pomegranate Propagation
If you’re new to propagating pomegranate trees, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
What’s the best time of year to take cuttings?
The ideal time is during winter dormancy. However, cuttings can be taken at any time of year.
Should I use rooting hormone?
Rooting hormone is optional, but it does increase the rate of success. Use a powder or gel containing auxins like IBA or NAA.
How long should cuttings be?
Between 6-8 inches is best. Make sure at least 2 leaf nodes are included.
How often should I water newly rooted cuttings?
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soaked. Cuttings won’t root if the soil dries out.
When can I transplant my rooted cuttings?
Once there is significant root development, usually 6-8 weeks after taking the cuttings.
How soon will propagated pomegranates produce fruit?
They may flower and fruit within 1-2 years if grown in ideal conditions.
The Reward of Growing Your Own Pomegranates
Propagating pomegranate trees from cuttings takes patience, but the reward is well worth it. In less than a year, you can grow small orchard of your own pomegranate trees with delicious, nutrient-dense fruit. Follow the simple propagation steps, give your cuttings good care, and you’ll soon be harvesting homegrown pomegranates!
How to Root a Pomegranate Tree
Growing a pomegranate tree from cuttings requires a hardwood cutting taken at an appropriate time. You should take pomegranate tree cuttings in late winter. Each cutting should be about 10 inches (25. 5 cm. ) long and taken from year-old wood that is ¼ to ½ inch (6 mm. to 1 cm. ) in diameter. You should put a commercial growth hormone on the cut end of each pomegranate tree cutting as soon as you take it. You can allow the roots to develop in your greenhouse before planting. Alternatively, you can plant the cuttings immediately in their permanent location. If you plant the cuttings outside, select an area in full sun with well-draining, loamy soil. Insert the lower end of each cutting into the worked soil. Arrange the level of the cutting so that the top node remains above the soil. To grow more than one pomegranate tree from a cutting, plant the cuttings at least 3 feet (1 m) apart. ) apart if you wish to grow a shrub. Plant them 18 feet (5. 5 m. ) apart or more if you intend to grow the cuttings into trees.