Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or pitahaya, is the vibrant-colored and sweet-tasting fruit of some cactus plants. It is relatively easy to grow, particularly for those in tropical or subtropical locations where maintenance is minimal. It can also be container-grown for those in frost-prone regions.
Two genera of cacti, both native to Central America, are called dragon fruits. Hylocereus is a vine cactus with many stems growing out. The vines can be straight or bumpy and may have spines. Selenicereus is a columnar cactus. Both species follow a similar growth pattern, flowering during the warmest months and usually more than once a year. In tropical regions, they can flower four to eight times a year, while in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 11 they flower two to three times a year. Buds are between 9 and 14 inches long and grow for 40 to 45 days before leafing out. Hylocereus plants have nocturnal flowers and only bloom at night. In states like California, the flower will only open for one night.
Dragon fruits are in no hurry to ripen, with maturing times ranging from 45 to 150 days. The fruits have scales on their outer shells, and the flesh is custardlike and pleasant. Small black seeds dot the inside of the flesh. Selenicereus fruits are yellow with white flesh. Hylocereus is generally a hot pink or red color with white or pink flesh. Dragon fruits can grow very large, weighing up to 2 pounds at full maturity. Fruits with pink flesh tend to be sweeter than those with white flesh, regardless of the variety.
Like most cactus species, the dragon fruit prefers very warm conditions and cannot survive below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. It performs well in USDA zones 10 and 11 but may need to be protected from frost in zone 9. While they enjoy full sun, they can get sunburned and need occasional shade, making it best to plant them where they will be shaded by other structures or plants for a small portion of the day. They enjoy well-drained soil high in organic materials and have an affinity for soil containing saline.
It is optimal to grow dragon fruits in the ground if the climate is favorable. Both types grow extremely large and need room to spread, so space them at least 8 feet to meet their full fruiting potential. Hylocereus usually requires trellising when full-grown to support the weight of the fruit. It is possible to aggressively prune a dragon fruit to keep it container-worthy. While this greatly increases the upkeep of an otherwise low-maintenance plant, it is a good option for those outside of the USDA zones 9 to 11. Start root cuttings in a 5-gallon bucket and move them to incrementally larger buckets as they grow. Eventually, they will need to be in a minimum 15-gallon bucket. The bucket should have drainage holes in the bottom with rocks to assist in keeping the soil moist but not soaked. Dragon fruits are fast- and strong-growing plants and will need regular pruning to maintain a small stature. They may still require some trellising within the bucket as they grow.
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