Growing Pomegranate Trees in Alabama

Pomegranate tree in bloom: growing pomegranate is worth the effort.

Growing Pomegranate in Alabama

My momma was recently on the Rick and Bubba Show, and she mentioned our pomegranate trees in passing.  My grandmother owns a farm supply in Verbena, Alabama, and she told me after the show a woman came in the store asking for a pomegranate tree! The woman was unaware that they could grow in Alabama.

The pomegranates are blooming in our orchard now. The flowers look attractive even after they lose their petals for its’ calyx is large and showy. The flowers are not why we bought the tree though; it’s the fruit that is valued.

The flavor of the fruit is somewhere in between sweet and sour, depending on the variety. Its arils (the flesh covering the seed) are used all around the world in the form of juice, syrup, and sauces. They also can be eaten whole with the seeds as a topping to deserts or salads.

The pomegranates are not only good, but are good for you, too! The fruit’s arils are high in vitamin C and potassium. The seeds are rich in fiber and are a source of unsaturated oils.

In Alabama the pomegranate harvest season is usually between August and September. During that time, we use pomegranates in all sorts of recipes.

For example, we add them raw into our granola, over pancakes, and in our salads. Additionally, I mix the raw fruit with a fabulous pomegranate reduction to pour over quail, duck, and turkey.

The possibilities for dessert dishes are endless. Just for starters, we make pomegranate syrup for our ice cream topping and use concentrated pomegranate juice to make sherbet.  Pomegranate cake is divine, and pomegranate jam is excellent as well. 

Pomegranates have been used since creation and will certainly continue to be used for generations to come. I highly recommend growing pomegranate to harvest for your own recipes!

How to Make Pomegranate Syrup

Crush pomegranates into a mesh colander until you have 1 cup on juice.  

Strain the juice through a cheese cloth for a very smooth consistency.  

Place juice with 1/2 cup of sugar into a small saucepan and bring to a boil for about a minute or until sugar dissolves.  

Spoon over pound cake, ice cream, meringue, or your favorite dessert for a sweet dish. Or spoon over venison steaks, duck, or turkey for a different and awesome savory dish!  Enjoy and be healthy!

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30 Comments

  1. Bobby Barnes says:

    As a boy i remember people growing POMEGRANATES and I consumed my share= This was in the wiregrass reagion. Can Ponegranates grow in N.Alabamaas well. If so where can trees be purchaseed,
    Thank you, Bob

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      Hi Bobby, I am so glad that you asked that question. Pomegranates grow in region 8. Verbena Farm Supply in Clanton, Alabama sells Pomegrantate Trees. My father-in-law remembers Pomegranate trees growing in Birmingham when he was a boy. If Pomegranate trees are sold in your area then they probably will grow where you bought them. If I can be of further help to you, let me know.

  2. Skip Pittman says:

    I live in Bryant, Alabama located in the NE corner of the state on Sand Mountain. Can I grow pomegranate trees here?

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      I wish that you could, but not without totally babying it. If you had a small greenhouse you would have a better chance. Zone 8 is the lowest zone (around the Birmingham area) that pomegranate trees with grow without being protected. If you try to grow one make sure that you cover it at night with a sheet to keep the frost from damaging and killing it. Let me know what you do and how it works out. You could try to grow one on the Southern side of your house well protected from wind. We are actually growing a lemon tree and Kumquat tree and they are about 8 years old. They are not supposed to grow in zone 7, but we have them almost enclosed in a courtyard type space and we are very careful to cover it in times of frost. Good Luck! Let me know how it goes.

      1. Mark LaRoux says:

        Hey I have two pomegranate trees on Chapman mountain in Huntsville, they grow fine here as long as you keep them on the sunny south facing side of a building. Mine are Wonderful, with a mix of Russian I assume as they are absolutely frost proof, and it gets in the single digits occasionally. I occasionally trade my pomegranates for other stuff with Papa Saint at Sonoco off 72 east at his stand. Drop by in late August, should be a few there by then.
        It’s tough growing in north Alabama, almost everything likes pomegranate buds and fruits though…ants, squirrels, aphids, stinkbugs, birds, etc.

        1. I love to hear that!! This is so encouraging to those trying to grow pomegranates further than mid-Alabama. Thanks for sharing this.

  3. Catherine says:

    I live in southern Shelby County and have two pomegranate trees. We’ve had them for years and never do anything to them. We don’t even cover them in a frost. In late fall, we get the most beautiful, delicious fruit I’ve ever had.

    1. I live in Tuscaloosa County and I’ve been looking for some pomegranate trees close by. Do anyone know where I can get some besides offline

      1. Stacy Harris says:

        I am not sure, but I have some friends that live in that area. I will make a few calls and check for you. I do hope I can help you.

  4. Where can I buy fresh pomegranates in Birmingham AL (Willing to drive distance if the fruit is worth while) ? And in what season ? Slowly and properly chewing pomegranate helps with colitis. Start with 20 seeds and one can go up very slowly.

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      That is very interesting about chewing pomegranates can help with colitis. You can get them in Birmingham at Wal-Mart at times but I suggest Botanical Gardens. The tree/bush can be purchased at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for 16.99. Call them about their tree that is thriving well there. The variety for sale is variety “Wonderful”, which is recommended for Alabama.

  5. Yes, you can buy pomegranates at Aldis, Walmart, and Winn Dixie in season and sometimes they show up sporadically. Also try Fresh Market. The tree/bush can be purchased at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for 16.99. Call them about their tree that is thriving well there. The variety for sale is variety “Wonderful”, which is recommended for Alabama.

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      Thanks so much Linda for that information. Pomegranates are one of my very favorite trees and ingredients to work with and I am sure people will want to know where to get them. Fantastic! Thanks again!

  6. PeteMitchum says:

    I live in the coastal region of Alabama…Lillian to be exact. We have several fruit trees in my yard that do well, satsuma, grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime… We love our citrus but would love to grow a couple of pomegranates. DO you think they would do well here?

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      Yes, I do think they would do very well in the coastal region. I wish I could grow satsumas, etc. That would be a dream. Maybe if I get a green house…

    2. Shane Jennings says:

      There’s a tree in Loxley that’s over 100 years old & also a really old one in Stapleton.

  7. We planted 3 trees that we got from friends last fall. They survived the snow and freezing temperature. Right now, they’re full of leaves and looking strong. They’re two different species. One has thorns on it and the other 2 have just smooth and leafy.

    1. Stacy Harris says:

      We love ours and it produced pretty well this year. I am so glad that yours survived. It was really cold lat year. Have you gotten many pomegranates?

  8. Pat Addaway says:

    I remember them growing in Birmingham also, we had a neighbor who had several bushes

  9. I’ve got two almost fully grown pomegranates in Huntsville on Chapman mountain. The original owners of my house planted them about 8-10 years ago. Plant them with something to block the north wind and make sure they get lots of morning sunshine and have drainage…unfortunately squirrels and raccoons love them too. I now have seedlings that have thorns too.

    1. That’s fantastic Mark! I just know you love them. Thanks so much.

  10. I have three in my back yard that i planter a couple of years a go. Last year i had a lots but this year there are only a bout a dozen on all of the bushes, I did not prone them i think that is the reason there is not many this year.

    1. That may be the case. Often I’ll get lots of blooms, but the flowers will fall off the tree before I get the fruit. That can be frustrating. I’m looking for an answer to that dilemma.

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