How Many Times Does a Pomegranate Tree Blossom?

One thing is certain -- the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum) is a survivor, sometimes living for hundreds of years. It is described by botanists as a deciduous shrub, although growers in the warmest of its U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 11 may laugh at the "shrub" part of the description. Under ideal growing conditions, pomegranates grow as multiple-branched shrubs or trees, reaching up to 30 feet in height. Depending on the cultivar and location, a pomegranate may bloom and fruit several times in spring and into summer.

Bloom Time

Pomegranate trees aren’t only grown for the fruit they produce. The tree’s showy red flowers are borne on the tips of the branches, sometimes singly but often in clusters. In California’s San Joaquin Valley, pomegranate trees may bloom up to three times in the spring, setting fruit after each bloom. In Florida they bloom through the summer, and in Georgia, the pomegranate blooms in spring and then again in flushes throughout the warmer periods of summer and fall. The earlier the tree blooms, the larger the fruit will be.

Environmental Effects

Pomegranate trees require lots of direct sun – at least 8 hours a day. Without it, the plant will live, but it won’t flower. Another environmental factor that may factor into the tree's blooming time is a late frost. This condition is deadly for the pomegranate, and it may kill new buds. The plant may rebound and produce flowers later than usual or it may not bloom at all until the following season.

Cultural Requirements

Two cultural practices affect the pomegranate’s ability to set flowers. Although most pomegranate trees require only nitrogen during the year, too much nitrogen fertilizer is often the culprit when the tree sets fewer blooms than in previous seasons. This typically happens when the tree is planted in the lawn. In this case, fertilize the tree in January with a high-bloom formula, such as 6-12-12. Give the young pomegranate tree 1 pound of fertilizer in November and again in March. Mature trees require 4 1/2 pounds during the same time periods. Improper pruning may also delay the pomegranate’s blooming period. The tree blooms on new wood so it should be pruned while it’s dormant. The new growth in spring from this pruning will produce flowers. Always disinfect your cutting tools before pruning to prevent disease spreading to your tree. You can accomplish this by soaking the blades for five minutes in a solution of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts water.

Failure to Bloom

Immature pomegranate trees – those 3 years of age and younger –typically don’t bloom. If they do, they typically drop any fruit that forms. If your pomegranate tree isn’t blooming, it may be because it’s too young. Pomegranate trees produce both male and female flowers, meaning they can self-fertilize, but cross-pollination by insects produces even better results, according to Purdue University's website. Birds also help pollinate. Attract hummingbirds to the garden with a feeder, and they won't be able to resist the pomegranate's bright, orange-red blossoms.