Smaller varieties of dragon fruit cactus are alsogrown indoors as houseplants.
This is a large, heavy cactus with a spreading habit and long stems.
Space plants at least 6 feet apart and support them with astrong trellis.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Warning
Dragon fruit cactus is considered invasive in central and southern Florida.
The most challenging part is to get the plants pollinated for fruit production.
Soil
Dragon fruit cacti are not terribly fussy when it comes to soil bang out orpH level.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Temperatures ranging from 65 degrees F to 80 degrees F at the highest are considered optimal growing conditions.
Fertilizer
Dragon fruit cacti are fast growers and heavy feeders.
In addition, amend the soil with compost ororganic mattera couple of times a year.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Collect the pollen from the stamen of one variety and gently dab it onto the stigma of another variety.
Use a fresh cotton swab for every plant.
If it’s ripe, you should be able to twist it from the stem with ease.
The long cactus stems of the dragonfruit plant can reach up to six meters in lengthHuyThoai / Getty Images
If kept in the refrigerator, dragon fruit lasts up to two weeks.
Use a five-gallon container that is at least 10 to 12 inches deep, with adequate drainage holes.
To prevent the container from toppling over, a ceramic or terra-cotta pot works better than lightweight plastic.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Fill it with nutrient-rich, neutral to acidicpotting soil(not cactus soil).
To further improve the drainage, place pebbles, stones, or bark at the bottom of the container.
Provide a sturdy trellis for the plant to grow on.
Uncontrolled growth also leads to poor light penetration for the tangled center stems, which impacts fruit production.
Regular pruning also encourages prolific flowering and prevents the plant from becoming too heavy for the trellis.
Pruning Tip
Looking for the best pruners for your dragon fruit cactuses?
We tested 8top-rated prunersin our Lab to verify your cactuses stay happy and healthy.
Bring the plants indoors when daytime temperatures drop below 65 F and there is any danger of frost.
The plants are also attractive toants,mealybugs,mites, andthrips.
Remove the damaged, infected parts and treat the plant with a fungicide.
If your plant flowers but does not set any fruit, it was not properly pollinated.
A dragon fruit plant can live up to 20 years.
For the plant to fruit, it will need to flower in early summer through early to midfall.
Try putting the plant in a brighter spot or a greenhouse.
While the plant is in the cactus family, it is very different from the cacti in desert climates.
It is a subtropical cactus that requires mild, humid environments to thrive.
Selenicereus undatus.University of Florida Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants.
