Punica granatum shell (PGS), a solid waste, was prepared and characterized by point of zero charge measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption curves, and Boehm titration technique. The ability of PGS biosorbent to remove a basic dye, crystal violet (CV), from aqueous solutions by batch mode was investigated. The effects of pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time, and initial dye concentration on the biosorption capacity were studied. CV uptake was favorable at pH values ranging from 5 to 10. The contact time required to obtain the maximum biosorption was 2 h at 298 K using 0.6 g of biosorbent. The nonlinear pseudo‐second order kinetic model provided a best fit to experimental data when compared to pseudo‐first order and Elovich kinetic models. The equilibrium biosorption isotherm was studied according to nonlinear Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm models. Regeneration of PGS was obtained using acetic acid as eluent. This study demonstrated that PGS is an effective low‐cost biosorbent for the removal of CV from aqueous solutions.