Botanical Overview
Several species of plants in the Cactus family (Cactaceae) produce Dragon Fruit.
Most belong to the Selenicereus genus and are night-blooming. Dragon fruit is grown commercially
in South and Central America, Mexico, the United States, Spain, Australia and Southeast Asia.
Description
Form:
Climbing cactus vine.
Lifespan:
20 years or more.
Leaf retention:
The evergreen stems have no leaves.
Growth rate:
Rapid.
Mature Size:
Up to 20' (6m) long.
Flowers:
Large, white, bell-shaped, sweet fragrance, lasting only one night. Unpollinated flowers may
sometimes stay open the next morning for pollination by bees. The flowers produce no nectar.
Bloom:
At night, 3-6 times a year, mid spring to mid-fall.
Self-fruitful:
Some species and varieties will self-pollinate and others do better with a second plant for
pollination. Hand pollination (at night, of course) will improve fruit set on some species.
Selenicereus plants should be cross pollinated within their species to ensure success.
Years before fruiting:
After a fruiting stem segment is planted, 6 months to one year.
From seed, the plant can take up to 7 years to flower.
Fruit:
Oval to egg-shaped, 0.5-3.0 lb (0.23-1.36 kg), red or yellow skin with prominent, usually
green, wings, easy to peel. The edible flesh is white, pink, red or purple, juicy, with tiny,
edible black seeds dotted throughout, and a slightly sweet taste. Red-fleshed fruit are often
considered to be the best tasting, and red-skinned, white-fleshed fruit the most bland.
Months for fruit to ripen:
45-50 days. A fruit is ripe when its skin is fully colored, the wings fold outward, and two
twists can remove it from the stem. A fruit is over-ripe when it falls from the stem. One
plant may produce up to 220 lb (100 kg) of fruit after 4-5 years.
Storage after harvest:
Unwashed fruit can be refrigerated up to five days.
Leaves:
None.
Stems:
Green, segmented, with 3-5 fins extending along the entire length of the segment. Wavy edges
are present on the fins of some species, and each segment can have several small spines along
its edges or be spineless. Several branches can grow from each segment joint. These stems
are very heavy because they are succulent and contain water.
Roots:
Aerial rootlets, which attach the vine to a vertical surface, grow from each stem segment,
and allow the vine to climb. This plant can suffer root rot in wet soil.
Species of Note for hot, dry climates:
Selenicereus costaricensis - fruit with red skin,
purple-red flesh.
Selenicereus monacanthus - red skin, red flesh.
Selenicereus megalanthus - yellow skin, white
flesh.
Selenicereus undatus - red skin, white flesh,
blandest flavor.
Wildlife: The flowers attract bats, moths and bees for
pollination.
Toxic / Danger:
Possible spiny stem edges.
Origin:
Mexico, Central America and northern South America, in lowland, tropical, deciduous forests.
This cactus is often found climbing trees in its native environment. These species have
probably been cultivated more than 1000 years.
Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones:
10-11. The plant is damaged below 31°F (-0.5°C).
Chill hours:
None.
Heat tolerant:
Yes. Over 80°F (27°C), 50-60% shade is needed all day. This plant is known to tolerate
125°F (52°C) in part shade, but fruit quantity and quality is reduced when the plant
is not in full sun.
Drought tolerant:
No.
Sun:
Full sun in moderate temperatures to all day part shade in high temperatures.
Planting:
Locate this cactus in well draining, enriched soil, where it can receive 50-60% shade all day
when needed. Place a post-and-top-frame structure next to it that can support 250 lb (114 kg)
of stem weight. Wires should not be used for support because they cut into the stem as it
grows heavier.
Space each cactus 8' (2.4m) apart, using two or more of each species for cross pollination.
The cactus can also be grown in a container on top of a tall post where the stems can
hang down instead of climbing. Container grown plants can be moved indoors during cold
winters, but they are exceedingly heavy.
Soil:
Well draining, sandy, high organic content, cycled between slightly moist and just turned dry,
pH 6.1-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). A container might be best in alkaline soil regions
to avoid to avoid nutrient deficiencies. These cacti are salt tolerant.
Fertilize:
During the growing season, apply an organic fertilizer, moderately high in nitrogen, monthly.
During blossoming, do not fertilize.
Water after becoming established:
During flowering and fruiting, apply just enough water so that the soil alternates between
moist and dry over a 3-7 day period. Growing in a container 14"+ (35+cm) in diameter, with
drain holes on the bottom sides, provides good moisture control.
Excess rainfall or irrigation may cause flower drop, split fruit, and root rot.
It can tolerate monthly water during the cold season when not flowering or fruiting.
Mulch:
Spread organic mulch over the root zone to reduce moisture evaporation and avoid temperature
extremes.
First Year Care:
Provide all day 50% shade for the first four months in all climates.
Prune:
Remove all side branches that emerge on the newly planted stem until it reaches the
trellis. Once high enough, the stem should be tied with a thick rope to the bottom,
then half-way up as it grows. When it reaches the top of the trellis, the stem should
be cut to encourage lateral branching which should also be tied down.
Remove diseased, damaged or dead stems and cut back those that reach the soil. Remove
stems that interfere with the harvest and those that result in crowding. After harvest, prune
extra and crowded stems. Treat cuts with a fungicide as necessary. Sterilize pruning tools
before each use.
The fruit may have to be thinned when small if it grows abundantly.
Litter:
Low. Fruit drop if not harvested.
Propagation:
To make stem cuttings, cut the stem base on a slant, mark which end is higher, then treat with
a fungicide and let dry for a week in the shade so the cut will callous over.
Plant the cuttings, optionally using a root hormone, in the ground or in pots, proper end up.
Seed is unreliable.
Pests:
Cage the roots at planting if gophers are a problem. Fungal infections cause brown spots on
the stem. Bacterial infections cause soft stem rot when aggravated by a calcium and nitrogen
deficiency.
Uses:
Food plant. The fruit is eaten raw, often chilled, and also served as a juice, as a fruit
sorbet, or made into a syrup. Unopened flower buds can be cooked as a vegetable. The flowers
can be eaten or used to make tea.
Comments
The scientific synonym for the Dragon Fruit genus is Hylocereus.
Another common name for Dragon Fruit is Pitahaya.
Hylocereus polyrhizus is an invalid name used by nurseries that is most often used for
Selenicereus monacanthus.
Do you have additional information or a different experience for these plants that you would
like to share? Email info@GardenOracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.