Growli

Troubleshooting

Wonderful Pomegranate problems — and how to fix them

Wonderful Pomegranate (Punica granatum 'Wonderful') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.

Fruit splitting

Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell, or high humidity, makes ripening fruit crack open. Keep soil moisture even during fruiting and protect from late-season rain where possible.

Failure to ripen in cool climates

'Wonderful' needs a long, hot summer; in cool UK and northern US gardens fruit often fails to ripen outdoors. Grow in a large container that can be moved into a greenhouse or conservatory.

Few flowers or fruit

Insufficient heat and sun, or over-feeding with nitrogen, give lush growth but little fruit. Provide maximum sunlight and warmth and use a potassium-rich feed once mature.

Frost damage

Young growth and unripe wood are damaged below freezing, and the plant defoliates in hard frost. Protect container plants in an unheated greenhouse or porch over winter in cold regions.

Prevent wonderful pomegranate problems before they start

Most wonderful pomegranate issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:

Looking for wonderful pomegranate in general rather than its problems? Read the full wonderful pomegranate care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.

Wonderful Pomegranate problems — FAQ

Why is my wonderful pomegranate fruit splitting?

Heavy watering or rain after a dry spell, or high humidity, makes ripening fruit crack open. Keep soil moisture even during fruiting and protect from late-season rain where possible.

Why is my wonderful pomegranate failure to ripen in cool climates?

'Wonderful' needs a long, hot summer; in cool UK and northern US gardens fruit often fails to ripen outdoors. Grow in a large container that can be moved into a greenhouse or conservatory.

Why is my wonderful pomegranate few flowers or fruit?

Insufficient heat and sun, or over-feeding with nitrogen, give lush growth but little fruit. Provide maximum sunlight and warmth and use a potassium-rich feed once mature.

Why is my wonderful pomegranate frost damage?

Young growth and unripe wood are damaged below freezing, and the plant defoliates in hard frost. Protect container plants in an unheated greenhouse or porch over winter in cold regions.