Climbing tropical cactus with large white nocturnal flowers and delicious fruit. Stems may grow to 15 feet or more long, with regular branching. 3 ribs, 1-3 short spines, nocturnal flowers 6-8 inches wide, fruit to nearly 4 inches in diameter, covered with leafy appendages. Apparently self fertile, though not very in my experience.

This cactus is quite widespread in cultivation, to the extent that its origins in nature remain obscure. It is grown for the fruit, which is fleshy and tasty, with small seeds. It likes to climb and enjoys some support while doing so, until the roots latch on (and they will, given time). It can climb quite high in trees. Drought tolerant, though frequently grown in the tropics, where there is abundant rainfall. Very easy to start from cuttings. Disease free and hassle free. A variety of fruit colors have been selected.

A couple of notes about names. The scientific name for this plant recently changed when Hylocereus (the old name) was lumped with Selenicereus (the new name). The plants in this expanded genus produce similarly large, nocturnal flowers and edible fruit. S. undatus is by far the most common in cultivation (especially as a crop).

In Spanish speaking countries (ie. the places of putative origin) this plant and its fruit are called pitahaya (pee-tah-AY-ah, four syllables, the H is silent). This name is very similar to (frequently confused with) but distinct from the word pitaya (three syllables), which refers to Stenocereus species and their fleshy, edible fruit (which are spiny, in contrast to dragonfruit). Both types of cacti are widespread in Mexico, and both types of fruit are widely available in season.

Reply to this comment

Outside the native habitats and where it's cultivated, this plant happens to grow in some of the more shaded areas in Malta , often near fences and walls , sometimes outcompeting Opuntia ficus indica for space. Ive seen it wrapped around a palm tree, some 4 meters in height. Bloom time there (and I mean roughly peak season) would be end of August ( I caught this one late blooming season). By the first couple of days of September I think most blooms have expired. Ones in sunnier conditions bloom less profusely, and are often smaller in stature.

Reply to this comment

I have a Dragon Fruit plant growing for about four years. The plant is growing well, but it's not flowering or fruiting. I live in a warm place where the summer temperature is about 27 to 30 degrees C.

Reply to this comment

Hylocereus undatus is a large, spiny cactus found in tropical and subtropical American gardens and is also a popular plant in other areas of the world. This plant has a few common English names, i.e. "Strawberry Pear", "Dragon Fruit" and "Night Blooming Cereus", but probably the most common name is "Queen of the Night" because of its large white fragrant blooms which are nocturnal and only last for one night.

Hylocereus undatus is a fast growing, many branched vine-like cactus with triangular, three, four, and sometimes five sided jointed stems. The stems form strong aerial roots that adhere to tree rock or surfaces where they climb and scramble to heights of 15-20 feet. During summer and fall the plant produces very large, fragrant white flowers which are nocturnal, lasting only one night. The oval to oblong 4"-5" thick fleshy fruit of the Hylocereus undatus has red or yellow skin, and contains numerous very small black seeds which are embedded in the white, juicy pulp. The fruit has common English names of "Strawberry Pear", "Dragon Fruit" and the common Spanish name "Pitaya". The ripe fruit can be chilled, cut in half and eaten with a spoon, and the juice is enjoyed as a chilled drink.

This cacti thrives in a well draining potting medium consisting of high organic matter and prefers temperatures between 65º-80ºF to do well.

Reply to this comment