The Best Compact Pomegranate Tree Varieties To Grow Indoors

With their delicious fruit and luxurious green foliage, growing and taking care of a pomegranate tree is a wonderful experience. However, as these fruit trees are only hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10 and enjoy warm, arid environments, you may not be able to grow them outdoors in your climate. Thankfully, there are some fantastic compact cultivars that are perfect for growing inside. Which cultivar you pick depends on how much room you have in your home and what you want from your tree. Do you want to grow edible fruit, or do you wish to simply have your pomegranate tree for ornamental reasons?

For a pomegranate tree that is compact but still produces tasty, fresh fruit, 'Red Silk' (Punica granatum 'Red Silk') may be perfect for you. This cultivar grows to around 6 feet in height and has a spreading habit, getting to around the same size wide. However, the quality of the fruits is not compromised with this dwarf pomegranate tree. The fruit is fairly large and sweet, with shiny dark red skin. It will begin to produce fruit one or two years after planting and usually produces a fair-sized crop that ripens in October. You will need to place your 'Red Silk' pomegranate tree in a spot where it will receive direct sunlight for at least half of the day. Ensure that its soil is well-draining.

The 'Red Silk' cultivar makes for a fantastic indoor fruit tree. However, if you are looking for an even smaller variety, there are some great options to pick from. The cultivar 'Nana' (Punica granatum 'Nana') gets to around 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide to create a dense mini tree for your home. The flowers are beautiful, blooming in stunning hues of orange and red. After the flowers, the fruit arrives to decorate the tree. However, the fruits of this cultivar are usually ornamental and do not taste as good as larger cultivars of pomegranate trees. The 'Nana' pomegranate tree needs full sun and average, well-draining soil to thrive. 

Another compact option for an indoor pomegranate tree is the 'State Fair' (Punica granatum 'State Fair') cultivar. This variety grows up to 5 feet tall and just as wide, with small fruit appearing on the tree after a summer of orange and red blooms. Although this cultivar is mainly grown as an ornamental, the fruit can be used in jams and preserves. Like the other dwarf pomegranate tree varieties, 'State Fair' needs full sun and well-draining soil to flourish.