Soft-seeded
Red Silk is a dwarf pomegranate cultivar developed at UC Davis that reaches just 6 feet tall, making it uncommonly practical for container growing and small gardens. In hardiness zones 8 through 10, this variety bears large fruits with vibrant red juice and a beautifully balanced grenadine flavor that blends sweetness with bright acidity. Its ornamental value is equally striking, with brilliant foliage and orange flowers that transform any patio or landscape, while its heavy fruit production means you'll have plenty of pomegranates to enjoy fresh or process into juice.
Full Sun
—
8-10
72in H x ?in W
Perennial
High
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This UC Davis introduction thrives in a potted form where most other pomegranates struggle, tolerating aggressive pruning without complaint and maintaining a naturally compact habit. The large fruit size combined with that signature grenadine flavor makes each harvest feel generous, and the plant's ornamental qualities mean it earns its space even when not bearing fruit. Grown in full sun within zones 8 to 10, Red Silk transitions easily between functioning as a specimen plant and a productive food source.
The large red-juiced fruits are exceptional for fresh eating, where the balanced acid-to-sweetness ratio makes them refreshing on their own or in a fruit bowl. They're equally valuable for making grenadine syrup, pomegranate juice, or the jewel-like arils can be scattered across salads and grain dishes. The ornamental flowers and foliage earn the plant space in landscaping even when fruit production is secondary.
Pomegranates ripen during late fall as temperatures cool. Harvest when the fruits have fully colored and the skin feels slightly firm when gently squeezed; the fruit should detach cleanly from the branch with a slight twist.
Red Silk responds exceptionally well to pruning and can be maintained as either a small multi-stemmed bush or a tree form depending on your preference. The variety tolerates heavy pruning unusually well, making it easy to control its size and shape for container or landscape settings. Prune to your desired height and form without hesitation.
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“Red Silk emerged from breeding work at UC Davis, the University of California's agricultural research institution long known for developing improved cultivars suited to home gardeners and small-scale growers. Rather than creating another full-sized pomegranate tree, breeders specifically targeted a compact form that would thrive in containers on patios and decks, addressing a real gap for gardeners with limited space who still wanted reliable pomegranate production.”