When to Plant Pomegranate in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Plant July to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is July.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Pomegranate guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Pomegranate

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Tough, drought-tolerant, heat-loving deciduous tree/large shrub from the Middle East. Produces fruit with jewel-like arils (seed sacs) packed with sweet-tart juice. Thrives in hot, dry climates with cold winters. Perfect for inland and mediterranean Australia. Self-fertile. Tolerates poor soil, drought, and neglect once established. Beautiful ornamental with orange-red flowers and yellow autumn foliage. Underplanted in Australian gardens.

Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - P P - - - -

P = Planting window

Plant bare root July-August. Warmest position.

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How to Grow Pomegranate in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Plant bare root July-August. Warmest position.

Soil
Extremely tolerant. Grows in sand, clay, limestone, even slightly saline soil. Prefers well-drained but adapts to most conditions. One of the least fussy fruit trees regarding soil.
pH Range
5.5-8.0 (remarkably tolerant of alkaline soil)
Sunlight
Full sun, maximum heat. The hotter the better for fruit sweetness.

Companion plants: Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, lavender, thyme)

Avoid planting near: Nothing specific, very adaptable

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Pomegranate

Recommended Varieties

  • Wonderful
  • Elche

Key Challenges

  • May not ripen fruit fully in cool autumns
  • Short season

Pro Tips

  • Marginal to good in Melbourne. North-facing wall essential.
  • Fruit ripens late (April-May). Needs warm autumn to finish.

Harvesting Pomegranate

When ready: Skin colour deepens (variety-specific red/pink). Metallic 'tink' sound when tapped (vs dull when unripe). Skin starts to look slightly angular (arils pressing against inside). Calyx flattens.

How to harvest: Cut with secateurs. Don't pull. Stem can tear skin.

Where to next

What pomegranate costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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Common Questions About Pomegranate

When do you plant pomegranate in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.