Dragon Fruit Care

Dragon Fruit or Pitahaya usually refers to the variously-colored fruit of the Hylocerus. Pitaya usually refers to the yellow fruit of the Stenocerus. Both plants are tropical cacti. The Pitaya is usually very juicy and tart while the Pitahaya is often sweeter. The texture is frequently compared to that of the kiwi fruit.

DRAGON FRUIT VARIETIES

 Variety About

American Beauty

Hylocereus guatemalensis

  • Medium, pink fruit
  • Self-fertile

Edgar's Baby

Hylocereus

  • Large, red fruit

Tricia

Hylocereus purpusii

  • Medium, red fruit

Vietnamese Jaina

Hylocereus undatus

  • Large, whiter fruit
  • Self-fertile
  • Semi-sweet 

Yellow Dragon

Selenicereus megalanthus

  • Self-fertile
  • One of the tastiest varieties

 GROWING DRAGON FRUIT

  • Watering: Overwatering or excessive rainfall can cause the flowers to drop and fruit to rot. If overwatering occurs over an extended period, it can cause maturing fruit to split on the branch. 
  • Hardiness: Dragon Fruit can endure temperatures up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit but can also take very short periods of frost. Dragon Fruit is hardy in USDA zones 10-11 and down to zone 9 if protected from frost.
  • Height: The average mature height of vines is 3 to 20 feet. 
  • Growing conditions: Dragon Fruit loves full sun and rich, well-drained soil.

Shop for Dragon Fruit and other Desert/Xeric plants at Wellspring Gardens.

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