Pomegranate
Punica granatum, family Lythraceae
A shrub with bright red flowers and a fruit full of edible seeds
Pomegranate is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Iran and nearby regions, now grown across Asia, the Mediterranean, and beyond. Its bright red or white flowers are followed by round, thick-skinned fruits packed with juicy seeds, widely used in food, drink, and dye, and rich in symbolism in many cultures.
- Native to Iran and the surrounding region
- Flowers are bright red or white and about 3 cm wide
- Fruit contains hundreds of edible seeds
- Used in Persian, Turkish, and Mexican cuisine
- Symbol of fertility and abundance in ancient cultures
What does Pomegranate look like?
The pomegranate grows as a shrub or small tree, usually 1.5 to 5 metres tall, with spiny branches and glossy, narrow leaves. Its flowers are bright red or sometimes white, about 3 cm across, with three to seven petals. The fruit is round, 2–12 cm wide, with a thick, reddish or sometimes yellow or purple skin. Inside, hundreds of juicy seeds are packed in chambers separated by white membranes. Some varieties are grown just for their showy flowers.
Where does Pomegranate come from?
Pomegranate is native to Iran and the region stretching from the Caucasus to northern South Asia. It was first domesticated by ancient Iranians about 5,000 years ago and spread early to the Middle East, Mediterranean, and South Asia. Archaeological finds show it was valued in ancient Egypt, Israel, and Greece. The plant reached China and Southeast Asia along trade routes, and was introduced to the Americas by Spanish settlers in the 16th century.
When and how Pomegranate blooms
Pomegranates are grown from seed or by cuttings, thriving in dry climates with either winter or summer rainfall. They tolerate drought and moderate frost. Flowering and fruiting usually occur from autumn to winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The plant can be propagated by layering, hardwood or softwood cuttings, and tissue culture. Dwarf varieties are used in gardens and as bonsai.
How Pomegranate is used
The fruit is eaten fresh, its seeds and juice used in cooking, baking, and drinks. Pomegranate molasses and syrup are common in Persian, Turkish, and Syrian dishes. The peel is used as a dye for wool and silk. In Mexico, the seeds decorate traditional dishes. The plant is also valued as an ornamental shrub for its flowers and sculptural form.
Kinds of Pomegranate
There are more than 500 named cultivars, differing in fruit size, skin and seed colour, and taste. The dwarf variety P. granatum var. nana is popular in gardens and as bonsai. The only other species in the genus, the Socotran pomegranate, has pink flowers and smaller, less sweet fruit.
What Pomegranate means
Pomegranate has been a symbol of fertility, abundance, and royalty in Persian culture and appears in ancient art and ritual. Its blossom was sacred in ancient Iran, and the fruit has been found in archaeological sites across the Middle East and Mediterranean. The name 'garnet' comes from the fruit's colour, and in France, 'grenade' gave its name to the hand-thrown explosive.
Where Pomegranate is used and seen
Traditions that use it
Where to see Pomegranate
Questions people ask about Pomegranate
Where does the pomegranate come from?
Pomegranate is native to Iran and the region from the Caucasus to northern South Asia. It was first domesticated by ancient Iranians and later spread to the Middle East, Mediterranean, South Asia, and beyond.
What does the pomegranate flower look like?
The pomegranate flower is bright red or sometimes white, about 3 cm across, with three to seven petals. Some varieties are grown mainly for their showy flowers.
How is the pomegranate used?
Pomegranate fruit is eaten fresh, and its seeds and juice are used in cooking, baking, and drinks. The peel is used as a dye, and the plant is also grown as an ornamental shrub.
What does the pomegranate symbolise?
In ancient Persian culture, the pomegranate symbolised fertility, abundance, and royal authority. Its blossom was considered sacred and it appears in art and ritual from the region.
Are there different types of pomegranate?
Yes, there are over 500 named cultivars with differences in fruit size, colour, and taste. There is also a dwarf variety popular in gardens and as bonsai.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- Punica granatum var. nanaRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Pomegranate", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
Others in the family Lythraceae
The whole family
HennaLawsonia inermis
Shrub whose leaves yield the dye henna for skin, hair, and fabric
Lawsonia inermis · Wildflower
Woodfordia fruticosadhavdi
A flowering shrub found from Africa to South and Southeast Asia
🇲🇲 Myanmar and 7 more · Wildflower
Purple-loosestrifeLythrum salicaria
Tall spikes of reddish-purple flowers found in wetlands and gardens
🇨🇳 China and 3 more · Wildflower
More from Iran
All the flowers of Iran
PeachPrunus persica
A flowering fruit tree from China, grown for its pink blossoms and sweet fruit
🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Flowering tree
AlmondPrunus amygdalus
A Mediterranean tree grown for its fragrant spring flowers and edible seeds
🇮🇷 Iran and 6 more · Flowering tree
ApricotPrunus armeniaca
A small fruit tree with early white to pink blossoms and golden-orange fruit
🇨🇳 China and 6 more · Flowering tree
TulipTulipa
Spring-blooming bulbs with showy, cup-shaped flowers in many colours
🇳🇱 Netherlands and 7 more · Wildflower