Wonderful Pomegranate (Punica granatum 'Wonderful')
“Wonderful” is the classic pomegranate you see in grocery stores—big, ruby-red fruit with jewel-like arils and a bold sweet-tart flavor. On the plant, it’s a tough, sun-loving performer that can be trained as a small tree or kept as a productive shrub, making it a clean fit for food forest edges, orchard rows, or a sunny courtyard corner.
The flowers are showy, orange-red, and they don’t whisper—they announce. That bloom show is followed by round fruit that slowly colors up through the warm season. With good light, consistent moisture during fruit fill, and a little thinning for airflow, Wonderful can become a reliable “late-season payoff” plant.
In Florida planting zone 9, the biggest wins come from full sun and drainage. Pomegranates tolerate drought once established, but fruit quality improves when you avoid stress during flowering and fruit sizing. If your humidity runs high, prioritize spacing and pruning so the canopy dries quickly after rain.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Punica granatum 'Wonderful' |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Lythraceae (Loosestrife family) |
| Common Name(s): | Wonderful Pomegranate, Pomegranate |
| Size: | Typically 8–12 ft (often larger if unpruned); can be trained as a multi-stem shrub or small tree |
| Plant Type: | Deciduous shrub / small tree |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Species native to the region from Iran to northern India; widely cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical climates |
| Native to: | Southwest Asia (species origin); 'Wonderful' is a cultivated selection |
| Planted range in the USA: | Commonly grown in the Southeast, Southwest, and California; performs best where summers are hot and sunlight is strong |
| Conservation Status: | Not applicable (cultivated fruit plant) |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in late winter to spring (or fall in warm areas) so roots establish before peak heat and heavy fruiting |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun (best flowering and fruit sweetness) |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained loam or sandy loam; adaptable, but avoid chronically wet soils |
| Soil pH: | 5.5 to 7.2 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established, but consistent moisture improves fruit size and reduces splitting |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Low to moderate; a balanced fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient (avoid excessive nitrogen that pushes leaves over fruit). |
| Pruning Requirements: | Prune in late winter: remove suckers, thin crowded branches, and shape for airflow; light summer pruning can reduce density |
| Growth Rate: | Medium (about 1–2 ft per year in good conditions) |
| Companion Planting: | Pairs well with insectary flowers and low groundcovers that reduce weeds and soil splash while keeping the trunk zone clear |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Moderate to high once established; best fruit quality comes with steady moisture during bloom and fruit sizing |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Established wood can tolerate roughly down to about 10°F (−12°C) with possible dieback; flowers/young fruit are often damaged around 28°F (−2°C) |
| Heat Tolerance: | Excellent; can handle up to about 105–110°F (41–43°C) when irrigated and mulched |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; strong winds can scar fruit and break slender shoots—train structure and use windbreaks in exposed sites |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low to moderate; avoid direct salt spray and salty irrigation water for best growth |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | Typically 7–10 (often grown in 6 with protection); thrives in 8–10 for consistent fruiting |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Pomegranate (leathery rind with arils inside) |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | Late summer through fall (often Sep–Nov in warm climates); harvest when fully colored and fruit sounds “metallic” when tapped |
| Fruit Description: | Large red fruit; arils are deep red with a sweet-tart, classic pomegranate flavor |
| Edible Plant: | Yes (arils/juice) |
| Edible Parts: | Arils (juice sacs) and juice; seeds are often swallowed or chewed depending on preference |
| Medicinal: | Primarily grown as a food plant; traditional uses exist, but treat all medicinal claims as informational only |
| Flower Color: | Orange-red |
| Flower Shape: | Waxy, tubular blooms with flared petals |
| Fragrance: | Light to mild |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Spring through summer (often May–Aug, depending on weather) |
| Bloom Duration: | Intermittent flushes over several weeks to months |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Generally self-fertile; cross-pollination can improve fruit set and size when another pomegranate is nearby |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees and other beneficial insects during bloom; ripe fruit can attract birds and small wildlife |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees are the primary pollinators; other beneficial insects may also visit flowers |
| Problematic Pest: | Can be affected by aphids, scale, mealybugs, mites, thrips, and stink/leaf-footed bugs (site-dependent). |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | No, pomegranate fruit is considered non-toxic |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized as poisonous |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; fruit is widely consumed (as with any food, sensitivity/allergy is possible in rare cases) |
| Toxic to Animals: | Generally non-toxic; overeating fruit/peels may cause mild digestive upset |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Leaf Spot, Fruit Rot, Anthracnose, Sooty Mold (often linked to sap-sucking pests), and Root Rot in poorly drained soils |
Companion Planting
For Wonderful Pomegranate (Punica granatum 'Wonderful'), the best companions are plants that support pollinators through the warm season, attract beneficial predators for sap-sucking pests, and keep soil covered to reduce weeds and splash. Keep a clear mulch ring at the trunk, then use living mulch and insectary plants beyond that zone.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Living mulch that suppresses weeds and feeds pollinators; reduces soil splash after heavy rains.
Use: Let it fill paths and edges around the dripline (keep it back from direct trunk contact).
Florida Native: Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Long bloom window that supports pollinators; brings in beneficial insects that help with soft-bodied pests.
Use: Plant in sunny pockets near the guild edge for color and insectary value.
Florida Native: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Tough, drought-tolerant nectar source; supports bees and beneficial insects during warm months.
Use: Plant as a sunny border around the pomegranate area to keep blooms close to the crop.
Florida Friendly: Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing groundcover that suppresses weeds and builds soil over time.
Use: Use as living mulch beyond the trunk ring; mow/trim to keep it tidy.
Florida Friendly: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Zone Range: 3–9 (varies by cultivar)
Benefits: Attracts predatory insects (lacewings, parasitic wasps) that help balance aphids and other small pests.
Use: Plant in full sun where it won’t get shaded by the pomegranate canopy.
Florida Friendly: Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
Zone Range: 9–11 (often grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixer and biomass plant; can act as a temporary nurse/wind buffer.
Use: Plant on the windward side and prune for “chop-and-drop” mulch as the pomegranate matures.
Keep airflow high (especially in humid seasons): prune for an open structure and avoid dense plantings right up against the trunk. Use groundcovers to reduce weeds and soil splash, and keep nectar plants flowering nearby to support beneficial insects through summer.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based references for fruit crop care, pruning, fertilizing, and pest/disease management concepts.
- UF/IFAS Extension (Solutions for Your Life) — Florida home landscape best practices (watering, soils, and integrated pest management basics).
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise and sustainable landscape recommendations that pair well with food forest design.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework for planting suitability.
- USDA PLANTS Database — species-level taxonomy and general reference context.
- EPPO Global Database — terminology and background reference for common pests and diseases.