Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, pitahaya, or strawberry pear, is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America, and is one of the fruits grown straight from a unique types of cacti. Dragon fruit, recognized for its deep pink and leathery exterior, is distinctive, nutritious, and spectacular, with sweet nectar within that highlights dazzling white flesh and minute black seeds.
These fast-growing perennial plants will not only produce spherical, spiky, and nutritious fruit, but they will also provide visual value to your garden landscape. Dragon fruit trees give fruit in seven to eight years when grown from seeds, and one to three years when grown from cuttings. Everything you need to know about how to grow dragon fruit in your garden is right here.
What Is Dragon Fruit?
The dragon fruit plant is a huge climbing cactus that bears bright red or yellow fruit and grows long, thick, succulent-like branches. The fruit of a dragon fruit plant is dense, juicy, and sweet, making it ideal for eating raw, slicing up for salads, or blending for smoothies. Dragon fruit bushes produce some of the world's largest blooms, which bloom as stunning white flowers for one night only and fill the air with a distinct tropical aroma.
Home gardeners commonly cultivate three types of dragon fruit. The first is Hylocereus undatus. This is the most popular dragon fruit kind, having red or pink skin and white meat. Hylocereus megalanthus is also frequently grown. The skin of this dragon fruit is yellow, and the meat is white. Hylocereus costaricensis is number three. The skin of this dragon fruit is red, while the flesh is crimson or purple.
Dragon Fruit Optimal Growing Conditions
Unlike most cactus plants, dragon fruit is a climbing plant that need some support to thrive. Because dragon fruit is a subtropical plant that requires a lot of heat and humidity, here is a breakdown of the information you will need to care and cultivate it.
Soil
Dragon fruit will thrive in any well-draining soil, but it favors soil that is slightly acidic with a pH level between six and seven. Sandy soil is ideal for this plant; if it is not accessible, make sure the soil is well draining.
Fertilizer & Nutrition
Fertilize the dragon fruit once a month throughout the active growing season to ensure healthy growth. You should cease feeding your plant for a few months during the chilly winter months.
Water
Because this is a cactus plant, you must ensure that it receives adequate moisture. Water the plant just when the top of the soil is dry to the touch, and never let it sit in water. The soil must be wet but not drenched.
Light
The base of the plant may tolerate some shadow, but the tops of the plant require full sun to blossom successfully. The fruit will not grow well if the plant is given too much shade.
Temperature Requirements
Dragon fruit will not thrive in cold locations, therefore make sure the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid plant damage. The temperature should be between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth.
How To Plant & Grow Dragon Fruit
Buying a dragon fruit and sowing the seeds is an easy way to develop your own dragon fruit cactus. However, if you start a dragon fruit plant from seed, it may take several years before it bears fruit.
Prepare The Soil
Dragon fruit requires full sun, so plant it in a sunny spot in your garden or on a sunny windowsill that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Choose potting soil that is well-draining and rich with organic matter. Don't use cactus soil—dragon fruits require more water than other cacti and require soil that retains moisture significantly better.
Get The Seeds Ready
Scoop out the black seeds from a ripe dragon fruit. Wash the seeds and lay them out on a moist paper towel for at least twelve hours. This will aid in germination and help your dragon fruit plant grow faster.
Sow The Seeds
Cover the soil surface with a thin layer of earth after scattering the dragon fruit seeds. It's fine if it only just covers the seeds; they don't need to be planted deeply.
Water Consistently
Water or spray the soil bed on a regular basis to maintain its moisture. If your soil is prone to drying out, cover it in mulch to keep moisture in until the seeds germinate.
Transplanting
Thin your dragon fruit seedlings as they grow to allow room for each new plant. Plant them in larger pots if you're growing them inside. For maximum health, a ripe dragon fruit will require at least a twenty-gallon pot.
Dragon Fruit Care & Maintenance
Dragon fruit requires little special maintenance once planted. A dragon fruit plant, as a climbing cactus, need some type of support to flourish. It grows well under a trellis, beside a fence, or with a wood stake. Pruning back any dead, dying, diseased, or overgrown branches will keep your plant disease-free and developing properly on its support system. Keep any dogs or pets away from newly planted trees or flowers.
Fertilize your dragon fruit plant once a month during the growing season to provide it with the nutrition it need. To produce fruit, dragon fruit plants rely on nighttime pollinators such as moths and bats. If you're growing it as an indoor house plant, you'll need to hand-pollinate it when it blooms. Swirl a clean cotton swab or paintbrush in the middle of the flower to collect pollen, then brush the pollen onto the flower's stigma, a tall branching section in the center of the flower. Keep your dog away from your dragon fruit plant.
Keep at room temperature. Because dragon fruit plants are not hardy in cold weather, maintain your plant between 32 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit—around 70 degrees is ideal. If your area is hot in the summer but chilly in the winter, bring your plant inside when the temperature cools to keep it warm.
Harvesting Dragon Fruit
Harvesting your dragon fruit tree is simple after it has begun to bear fruit. Look for brightly colored fruits with withered skin flaps on the outside of the fruit. Gently twist the fruit — if it's ripe, it will readily release from the stem. Waiting for the fruit to fall from the stem on its own will result in overipeness. Unpeeled dragon fruit can be stored on the counter for several days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Pests & Diseases
Mealybugs and aphids are frequent pests of dragon fruit. They are sap sucking bugs that feed on the plant's nectar. Aphids also attract ants, who will feast on the plant. Mites and thrips can also be a nuisance; they will not kill the plant, but they are detrimental to its overall health.
Dragon Spots, which appear on the stems and leaves of a plant, can indicate an infection. Bacteria can also create additional problems, such as soft stem rot. This is a disease that affects the branches' tips. Because these infections are often spread from plant to plant, sanitize your clippers. Sunburn can occur during the hottest months of the year when the sun is scorching, and root rot can occur if the plant is given too much water.