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.
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.
How To Plant & Grow
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.
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.
Care & Maintenance
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.
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.
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.