When to Plant Pomegranate in Perth, Mediterranean Guide

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

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 Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs

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 Mediterranean

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

P = Planting window

Plant bare root June-August.

Want a nudge when it is Pomegranate sowing time in Perth?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Mediterranean zone right now, Pomegranate included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

How to Grow Pomegranate in Mediterranean Australia

When to Plant

Plant bare root June-August.

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

Mediterranean Growing Tips for Pomegranate

Recommended Varieties

  • Wonderful
  • Elche
  • Ben Hur
  • Mollar de Elche
  • Gulosha Rosavaya

Key Challenges

  • Minimal, this is natural pomegranate climate

Pro Tips

  • Ideal zone along with arid. Adelaide and Perth are excellent for pomegranates.
  • Dry summers eliminate most fruit rot issues.
  • Consider commercial production. Australian pomegranates have export potential.

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 mediterranean zone this September: Ginger, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Cucumber.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

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 Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.