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What you’ll need
How to make it
If you are a reader on Deenista, you may already know our long-standing fascination with pomegranates. They appear often in our art, our writing, and our seasonal tables, not as decoration alone, but as symbols with meaning.
The pomegranate is a fruit of abundance, fertility, and renewal. It is mentioned in the Quran as one of the fruits of Paradise, and historically it has held a central place across the Middle East, Persia, and the Mediterranean — both in food culture and visual tradition. Today, the pomegranate has travelled far beyond its origins, showing up everywhere from modern interiors to winter tables and even Christmas ornaments.
In this post, we’ll show you how to create a wild, sculptural pomegranate centerpiece that feels intentional but effortless — and importantly, fairly budget-friendly. No floral foam, no professional skills, and no elaborate shopping list required.
Inspired by a relaxed centerpiece technique shared by Meghan
I won’t pretend to have reinvented the wheel here. The inspiration came from With Love, Meghan on Netflix, where she demonstrates how to build relaxed, organic centerpieces using whatever is available rather than over-styled arrangements.
Of course, I didn’t have access to an abundance of flowers or a studio full of options. Instead, I went to my local flower shop and chose a few simple filler branches and one or two slightly stronger elements for structure. The real centre of gravity, though, was always the pomegranate.
And that’s the point: when the fruit itself carries visual and symbolic weight, you can do less and still achieve something striking.
Using a floral grid to build a pomegranate centerpiece (no floral foam)
Before getting into the step-by-step, there’s one practical detail worth mentioning because this is what makes the whole centerpiece work without floral foam.
Inside the bowl, I use a metal floral grid (sometimes called a flower frog grid or chicken wire grid). It sits inside the bowl and is clipped to the edges with small metal clips to adjust and fix the height. This creates a stable structure that holds both branches and fruit in place, while still allowing water in the bowl.
Unlike floral foam, these grids are fully reusable, making them a better choice both environmentally and financially over time. They also allow flowers and greenery to last longer, since the stems sit directly in water rather than in foam, which can dry out quickly.
This is a very traditional, low-waste technique for building arrangements, and it’s one I learned from Meghan, who uses the same method.
I also filled the bowl with a small amount of water, which helps keep the greenery fresh for several days.
What you need to create the pomegranate centerpiece
- 1–3 pomegranates
- A shallow bowl or pedestal bowl
- A metal floral grid / chicken wire grid
- Small metal clips (to secure the grid at your desired height)
- Wooden grill sticks or skewers
- Greenery or filler branches (eucalyptus, olive branches, seasonal foliage)
- Optional statement branches (ilex — also known as winterberry or holly — for seasonal colour)
- Water
- Scissors or secateurs
Step-by-step: how to make the pomegranate centerpiece
1. Prepare the bowl
Place the metal floral grid inside the bowl and secure it to the edges using the clips. Adjust the height so it sits firmly and doesn’t move. Add a little water to the bowl (just enough to cover the stems later).
2. Secure the pomegranate
Take a wooden grill stick and gently push the sharper end into the base of the pomegranate. This acts as a support stem. For larger or heavier pomegranates, you may need to use two sticks for extra stability. Insert the other end (or ends) through the metal floral grid and into the bowl, anchoring the fruit in place.
This keeps the pomegranate stable and slightly elevated, rather than just resting loosely in the arrangement.
3. Create the base around it
Trim the greenery and any statement branches to your desired length before inserting them through the grid. Start with slightly longer stems on two opposite sides of the bowl, then work your way inward, shortening the stems as you move toward the centre. The grid gives resistance, making it easier to control direction without overworking the branches. Let everything spill outward naturally around the pomegranate.
4. Adjust and refine
Rotate the pomegranate slightly if needed, tuck greenery around it, and stop as soon as it feels balanced. The structure underneath does the work — there’s no need to force anything.
Why pomegranates work so well as a centerpiece
Pomegranates are visually strong on their own. Their deep red colour anchors the table, while their cultural symbolism adds depth without explanation. Paired with muted greenery and simple ceramics, they create a centerpiece that feels seasonal, meaningful, and contemporary.
This style works equally well for everyday winter tables, dinner parties, and cultural gatherings.
A perfect Yalda centerpiece
This pomegranate centerpiece is particularly well suited for Yalda night table settings. Yalda celebrates light returning after darkness, abundance, and togetherness — all themes deeply connected to the pomegranate.
Whether you are setting a full sofreh or keeping things minimal, this centerpiece integrates effortlessly into a modern Yalda table.
More pomegranate-inspired decor ideas: how to create a contemporary Yalda sofreh
Bring the pomegranate beyond the table
If this centerpiece resonates with you, you may also want to explore our pomegranate-inspired artworks at Deenista:
Pomegranate still life artworks — still life compositions rooted in heritage and symbolism, designed for dining spaces and calm interiors.
All these pieces extend the same story — from table to wall.
Pomegranate centerpiece final thoughts
This centerpiece is not about perfection. It’s about letting meaningful elements speak for themselves. A few branches, a simple bowl, and a fruit that has carried symbolism for centuries — sometimes that’s all a table needs.
Interested in Islamic culture and heritage? Read our post on the deeper meaning behind Rumi’s famous quote.
