How to Prevent Your Pomegranate Skin From Splitting (And Why Does it Happen)

The pomegranate, with its shiny seeds and sweet and sour taste, is one of the most beloved fruits of autumn. If you are among those who grow it or buy it from local producers, you may have wondered why some appear with cracked skin. This phenomenon can compromise the conservation of the fruit, which risks rotting more quickly. But what are the factors of this natural event? And is there anything we can do to prevent it? Let's look together at the main reasons for pomegranate cracks and how to avoid them.

Why Does Pomegranates' Skin Split?

Some pomegranate varieties  are more prone to cracking than others. The structure of the fruit, the climate and the cultivation practices influence this phenomenon. Knowing the main causes helps to prevent the problem and maintain the quality of the harvest.

The pomegranate (scientific name Punica granatum) is composed of a thick and leathery peel that protects the arils, the juicy and edible seeds that make up the inside. Each fruit is attached to the branches by a stalk, which supports it and nourishes it with the sap of the plant. The peel, or pericarp, protects the arils from the elements, and it is precisely this that suffers damage, causing cracks. The pomegranate plant is known for its resistance and low water requirements. However, irregular irrigation or unpredictable weather conditions can weaken it, causing the fruit to crack. The main reasons behind this phenomenon include water imbalances, temperature changes and irregular growth of the fruit. Let's look at them in detail.

1. Water Imbalances

Pomegranate splitting is often caused by irregular irrigation or heavy rains, especially in autumn. During the summer, poor irrigation can dehydrate the fruit, making the skin rigid and less elastic. If the plant then receives a sudden supply of water, the pulp expands rapidly and the skin cracks. This phenomenon is particularly common during seasonal transitions or in regions with unpredictable rainfall.

2. Temperature Changes

Sudden changes between day and night temperatures are a critical factor. During the day, heat causes the skin to expand, while the cold at night contracts it. This constant expansion and contraction weakens the skin, making it more fragile and prone to cracking. Climate change exacerbates the problem: the north wind, for example, rapidly dries out the plant, soil and fruit, further stiffening the skin. If this phase is followed by a humid period or sudden rain, the fruit quickly absorbs water, but the skin, now inelastic, is unable to adapt to the accelerated growth of the pulp.

3. Accelerated Ripening and Growth Stages

Excessive fertilization or climatic conditions that are particularly favorable to growth can contribute to the splitting of pomegranates. These factors can accelerate the ripening of the fruit in an uneven manner, creating internal tensions because some parts of the pulp grow faster than others. The resulting imbalance increases the pressure on the peel, which, lacking elasticity, ends up breaking.

How to Prevent Pomegranates From Splitting

Although we cannot completely control climatic factors, there are useful practices to reduce the risk of cracking in pomegranates. These measures help to keep the fruit healthy and preserve its quality, improving the overall yield of the plant.

Regular Irrigation

To prevent pomegranate cracking, it is essential to ensure constant and moderate irrigation. Avoid both periods of prolonged drought, which make the skin rigid and vulnerable, and abundant and sudden irrigation, which favor excessive absorption of water by the pulp. Two or three irrigations per week in the warmer months help maintain uniform growth and reduce water stress.

Protection From Heavy Rains

During the final stages of ripening, heavy rains can cause cracks in the skin, as water is quickly absorbed by the pulp. To avoid this problem, it is useful to protect pomegranates with sheets or covers, especially after a dry season, when the fruits, already partially dehydrated, are more fragile.

Select Resistant Varieties and Sheltered Locations

Some pomegranate varieties are naturally more resistant to cracking, making them ideal for areas with temperature changes or irregular rainfall. The positioning of the tree is also important: growing it in an area sheltered from the wind and with good sun exposure reduces stress on the fruit, promoting greater resistance to cracking.

Can I Still Eat a Cracked Pomegranate?

Even when pomegranates split, there is no need to discard them, as long as no mold has formed: split fruits, in fact, can be used in various ways in the kitchen. The seeds are perfect for decorating salads and desserts, adding color and a pleasant acidic note. The juice, also extracted from imperfect pomegranates, can be used to prepare sauces, dressings or refreshing drinks and liqueurs . Although aesthetically imperfect, they can enrich recipes and demonstrate that in nature imperfections are an opportunity.

But the pomegranate is not just a fruit to be enjoyed: its history and symbolism make it unique. In different cultures, the pomegranate has taken on a profound meaning linked to abundance, fertility and prosperity. In Greece, for example, it is traditional to break a pomegranate during wedding ceremonies, as a wish for fertility and good luck for the newlyweds. In other traditions, the split fruit is interpreted as a positive symbol, linked to openness to luck and the generosity of nature.

This symbolic value is also reflected in the romantic vision of the split fruit: the cracks in the peel are seen as a sign of abundance, a way in which the pomegranate "overflows " with its richness, almost as if it wanted to share it with those who pick it.