Dragon Fruit Plant, Selenicereus undatus (syn. Hylocereus undatus)

Description

Dragon fruit is properly called Selenicereus undatus, but they still get labeled by its old scientific name (Hylocereus undatus) in most garden centers. It’s from the family Cactaceae, and it’s known as pitahaya, pitaya, strawberry pear, night blooming cereus, or dragon fruit. This native of Central America and grows on terraces, houses, and Indian farms as climbing ornamental cactus, as well as it gives familiar and exotic Dragon fruit.

The dragon fruit is a climbing, three-ribbed stem plant rather than a desert cactus, and has a stout, semiepiphytic plant. Its ribs are undulating with very small areoles with short spines. Older plants develop aerial roots which cling to walls, tree trunks, posts or trellis, as the plant climbs its way to height, sunshine and warmth and time which would enable it to produce trumpet-like, white, fragrant, nocturnal flowers, that earned it titles such as 'Belle of the Night', or 'Queen of the Night' in different cultures. This is a cutting or rooted plant young and healthy, that is just beginning its 'climbing life', so is not mature to flower or produce fruit.

Dragon fruit is the Unconventional Backyard-friendly plant for the one wanting something just a bit out of the ordinary - Not very needy and tolerant of Indian summer heat, it takes a little time for the show to perform its particular habit to spill and to climb over. Thrives in an exposed balcony, terrace or even in the garden on the edge with a ready wall, trellis, or fence – dragon fruit makes an easy introduction to the world of the patiently ambitious gardener, interested in a long term project with potential for home-grown fruit.

Key Features

• Fast-growing climbing cactus with a distinctive three-ribbed stem structure
• Can eventually produce the well-known dragon fruit under the right growing conditions
• Large, fragrant white flowers bloom at night once the plant matures
• Drought-tolerant and forgiving of missed waterings, like most cacti
• Thrives outdoors in Indian climates with plenty of direct sunlight
• Low day-to-day maintenance once it settles into its spot
• Doubles as an interesting ornamental climber, even before it fruits
• Good long-term project for gardeners keen on growing edible plants at home

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 x Dragon Fruit Plant (Selenicereus undatus), rooted cutting/young plant
• 1 x Pot (Bare-rooted/Pot: Optional)
• Well-draining succulent/cactus potting mix (if potted option selected)
• Basic care guide

Important Notes

• Natural variation in stem size, colour, and shape is normal - no two cuttings look exactly alike.
• The stems carry small areoles with short spines, similar to other cacti. Handle gardening gloves and keep out of reach of young children and pets.
• It's fairly common to see some yellowing and slight softening of the base of the stem as it travels in the mail, and it generally clears up in a few weeks after repotting.
• This is a young plant and will not flower or fruit immediately. Flowering and fruiting typically take one to two years or more of steady growth, good sunlight, and eventually a support structure to climb on.
• Protect the plant from frost and prolonged cold; it is best suited to warm, frost-free regions of India.
• As the plant grows longer, plan for a trellis, post, or wall support nearby - without one, the stems will sprawl rather than climb.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will my Dragon Fruit plant produce fruit?

A: When this type of young plant receives adequate sun and heat, it usually takes 1-2 years or more before it gets big enough to bloom and produce fruit. Proper support structure to climb on and often hand pollination of these night blooming flowers are factors as well.

Q: Is this suitable for growing indoors?

A: This is not a good choice for a fully house plant. A dragon fruit requires a high level of light for its development, flowering, etc. A sunny balcony, terrace or an outdoor space is more suitable.

Q: How often should I water it? 

A: Water only when the top couple inches of the soil is totally dry and then water generously until it flows through. The biggest issue with this plant is overwatering, so it's better to under-water rather than overwater it - particularly in winter.

Q: My plant stem looks a little soft and wrinkled. Is it dying? 

A: When a stem is slightly wrinkled, it could be a transit effect, or a plant drawing down some water reserves, and it will likely get firm and plump within 1 to 2 weeks of moving into its new home after water/sun. If the softening continues up or is soft black, it’s likely from over watering, and you should decrease watering and look at the roots.

Q: Will the plant need any support to grow on? 

A: Yes it will eventually. The plant when young can usually sit straight up in its pot for a number of months, but it is naturally a climbing cactus so as it gets longer and heavier it will need a post, trellis or wall for the new aerial roots to take hold.

Q: Is it safe for pets? 

A: Dragon fruit is not often listed on toxic to pets pages as toxic to cats and dogs, as long as fruit, and while the dragon fruit plant itself has little prickles that a curious pet could puncture, it's best placed where animals cannot readily get to it.