Wild Pomegranate Plant Care

Wild Pomegranate (Burchellia bubalina) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Burchellia genus. Wild Pomegranate is native to southern Africa: the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Provinces in South Africa, and Eswatini. Wild Pomegranate is also known as Buffalo Horn, Cape Pomegranate.

Wild Pomegranate displays a compact, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Wild Pomegranate produces small tubular red flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild Pomegranate every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Wild Pomegranate thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Burchellia bubalina tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Wild Pomegranate prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Wild Pomegranate to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wild Pomegranate every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild Pomegranate is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Wild Pomegranate can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Wild Pomegranate while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Wild Pomegranate is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Wild Pomegranate can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Wild Pomegranate is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Wild Pomegranate grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Wild Pomegranate is native to southern Africa: the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Provinces in South Africa, and Eswatini. In cooler regions, grow Wild Pomegranate as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.