The Dragon Fruit, also called “pitaya,” is an exciting and delicious addition to any landscape. Known for its flaming pink fruit with white speckled flesh, the Dragon Fruit Plant has climbing vines that grow well in dry areas, making it relatively low maintenance, particularly in tropical or subtropical locations. It can also be container-grown indoors by those living in frost-prone regions.
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Dragon Fruit Plant Appearance and Aroma
Full of exotic appeal, the Dragon Fruit Tree has a palm-like trunk that leads up to a twisty tangle of cactus vines, making it perfect for an Asian-style garden or tropical motif. The Dragon Fruit’s large white flowers can grow up to a foot long and add a striking contrast to the green flesh of the cactus leaves. Not only beautiful, the Dragon Fruit's night-blooming blossoms are sweetly fragranced, too!
Dragon Fruit Taste and Health Benefits
The real crown jewel of this plant is the Dragon Fruit itself. Its bright pink skin and unique shape adds a burst of color and conceals a soft white fruit within. Similar to that of a kiwi, the flesh of the Dragon Fruit contains crunchy black seeds and has a sweet, yet slightly sour, taste.
Ideal as a chilled snack or in fresh fruit smoothies or sorbets, this healthy fruit is packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and other rich minerals.
When, Where, and How To Plant Your Dragon Fruit
It is best to plant your Dragon Fruit Tree in the spring since it typically produces fruit by the summer. You can either plant your Dragon Fruit outdoors in the ground or in a container to bring indoors.
The Dragon Fruit’s Sun and Soil Needs
A location that receives full sun (6-8 hours daily) is best for the Dragon Fruit Tree. The Dragon Fruit thrives in a lot of light, so try to avoid shady areas no matter where you choose to plant it. It also prefers well-draining, sandy soil, so stay away from planting in wet, mucky soils with standing water. Make sure to plant your Dragon Fruit flush with the soil line.
Planting Your Dragon Fruit Effectively
Before planting, use a pair of garden shears or a knife to make slits down the sides of the root ball, which will encourage faster root growth into the soil. If planting multiple Dragon Fruit Trees, space them out to allow clumps of cacti to form properly and reach their full rooting and fruiting potential.
Helping Your Dragon Fruit Thrive Outside
Since the Dragon Fruit Tree is a climbing cactus, it will require support to climb on as it matures, whether in a container or in the ground. Place a trellis near it to help give the cactus structure so it may reach its full growth potential.
Note: When planting outside, the plant may remain dormant for a while as it gets used to its new environment.
Growing the Dragon Fruit Plant in a Container
Be selective when choosing your cactus pot. Most decorative containers do not have drainage holes at the bottom. However, terracotta pots are porous and will effectively dry out the soil (even without drainage holes). If you have to have a specific container that is not terracotta, drill your own holes in the bottom to ensure proper drainage and prevent waterlogging and root rot.
We also recommend using a sandy cactus potting mix when planting in a pot or container. You can bring your potted Dragon Fruit indoors if you live in more temperate growing zones with cooler seasonal temperatures, and it will adapt. Make sure to allow enough room for root growth in the container. A trellis in a container at least 10 inches deep should be sufficient to start.
Fertilizing the Dragon Fruit Tree
Whether planting in a container or in the ground, mixing a small amount of slow-release, low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer (like 6-6-6 or 8-3-9) into the planting hole before placing it will encourage accelerated root growth.
For outdoor, in-ground planting, you can also add a balanced granular fertilizer monthly. Although Dragon Fruit Trees love light and thrive off of it, lack of fertilization will often stunt growth and prevent fruiting.
Whether you're planting indoors or outdoors, make sure to follow the instructions on your fertilizer packaging. Also, consider using organic fertilizer!
Dragon Fruit Cactus Watering Requirements
Since the Dragon Fruit is a tropical succulent, it should be watered only when the soil is nearly dry. Overwatering is a surefire way to kill a cactus! You can check the moisture of the soil by putting your finger or a yard stick into the soil about 3 inches down. If you detect any water at all, wait a while before watering.
Be especially careful when watering a potted Dragon Fruit, as containers can retain more moisture. And never mist a cactus!
Pruning Your Dragon Fruit Plant
You will need to inspect your Dragon Fruit Tree a few times a year for clusters of overcrowding during active growth periods. Using protective gear (pants, long sleeves, gloves, etc.) to avoid the cactus spines, clip off parts of the cactus that are touching, crowding, or growing over each other.
The goal is to create enough space between branches to allow for the large, night-blooming flowers to unfurl and eventually produce plentiful fruit. This will also make the fruit much easier to pick!
Pollination and Propagation of the Dragon Fruit
Our Dragon Fruit Cacti are self-fertile. You will get fruit with only one plant. However, adding an additional Dragon Fruit Cactus will drastically increase the size of your crop.
Outdoor Dragon Fruit Trees are frequented by pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, bees, and even bats who visit the nocturnal white blooms of the Dragon Fruit.
One of the best benefits of having your own Dragon Fruit cactus is the ability to harvest the seeds from the fresh fruit and use them for more cactus plants. You can also take the parts of the cactus leftover from pruning and attempt to root them to grow more!
Dragon Fruit: Does Growing Organic Matter?
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to eating organic. If you want to keep your Dragon Fruit organic, consider using our organic planting mix or organic fertilizer, both of which can be shipped directly to your home.
How Long Does a Dragon Fruit Tree Take to Grow?
You’ll only have to wait about 30 to 50 days after your cactus starts flowering to harvest your delicious, homegrown Dragon Fruit! The fruit will be oval shaped and about 3 to 6 inches long.
You’ll know the fruit is ripe for the picking when it:
- Changes from a bright green to a red or pink color
- Has no spots (A few spots on the outer skin is normal, but if it has a lot of dark splotches it may already be overripe.)
- Has "wings"—the leafier parts that extend off of the fruit—that have started to turn slightly brown and dry out (If the wings are still a bright yellow or red color, the fruit is not quite ready yet.)
If starting from a seed or cactus branch, it could take up to 6-7 years for a Dragon Fruit Tree to flower and produce fruit.
I don’t have a lot of outdoor space, or I live in a place with cooler temperatures. Can I grow my Dragon Fruit Tree indoors?
Growing a Dragon Fruit Tree indoors is entirely possible if you provide a space for the cactus to grow that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, like a sunroom or in front of a large window. As mentioned above, make sure your potted Dragon Fruit has a climbing pole installed in the container so it can grow to its fullest potential.
Keep it away from exceptionally cold windows, as the Dragon Fruit Plant is not frost-tolerant. The ideal indoor temperature for a Dragon Fruit is 65-85°F, and the ideal room humidity is 30-50%.
If you live in a particularly dry space you can keep a humidity tray with pebbles nearby the plant. Prune back overgrown branches to encourage growth.
You can move your Dragon Fruit Tree outside in the summer if you wish, so it can get help from pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to produce more fruit. Just make sure the plant is not subjected to harsh sunlight and heat over 100°F, or else it will wither.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Dragon Fruit
Pests such as rats, raccoons, birds, ants, mealybugs, mites, and slugs are attracted to the delicious Dragon Fruit crop, so you may have to take measures to protect your tree from these critters (ex. use deterrents like sprays, nets, and fencing).
Root rot and overwatering is a danger for the Dragon Fruit, as well as scorching from extreme heat and under fertilization. Follow the planting and care instructions to make sure your Dragon Fruit cactus gets the right amount of sunlight, moisture, soil, and humidity.
Get Started With Your Own Dragon Fruit Plant
With its large, fragrant white flowers, unique climbing cactus branches, and nutritious pink fruit, the Dragon Fruit Plant is the total package. For the best results, remember to follow these tips on planting, pruning, and caring for your Dragon Fruit.
Get started with your own Dragon Fruit and reap the benefits of this tropical plant from home!
