How to Grow Pomegranates From Seeds in a Plastic Bag

Pomegranates, or Punica granatum L., are one of the oldest cultivated fruits in human history. Long relegated to exotic eastern cuisine, the pomegranate has become one of the most popular fruits of the new millennium, due to its high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C and its tart-sweet flavor. Because of its renewed popularity, home gardeners have begun growing pomegranate bushes in their gardens. The hardy, long-lived bush is extremely easy to start from any overripe pomegranate. A quick and dependable way to sprout the seeds is to keep them warm and moist in a plastic sandwich or storage bag.

Overripe pomegranate
Kitchen knife
Spoon
Paper towels
Potting soil
Spray bottle filled with water
Plastic bag

Instructions

- 1
  Cut open an overripe pomegranate using a kitchen knife and scoop out some of the juicy red blobs of fruit with a spoon. Each blob contains a pomegranate seed.
- 2
  Rinse the seeds with warm water to wash away the fruit flesh.
- 3
  Fold a few sheets of paper towel together and spread the seeds across the surface in a single layer.
- 4
  Sprinkle a small amount of potting soil over the seeds.
- 5
  Spray the seeds with water from a spray bottle until the paper toweling is saturated, but not dripping.
- 6
  Slip the wet towel, layered with seeds and dirt, into the plastic bag. Do not seal the bag.
- 7
  Place the bag in a warm place where it will not be disturbed.
- 8
  Check the seeds daily; re-spray with water when the towel feels dry. The seeds should sprout in two to three weeks.
- 9
  Remove the seeds from the plastic bag after they sprout, and place the paper towel in a sunny window. Keep the towel moist and wait until the seeds have small roots and a few leaves. They are then ready for planting.

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