Dragon Fruit.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Cactus

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

20 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 10 a 12

Floración

Late spring to early autumn

Cuidados

Provide a sturdy trellis for this plant to climb as it grows quite heavy. Watch for yellowing stems which often signal too much moisture in the soil. Ensure the plant gets plenty of sun to encourage fruit production.

Riego

Let the soil dry out significantly between waterings to prevent root rot.

Abonado

Feed with a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Poda

Trim back long stems to encourage branching and keep the plant manageable.

Trasplante

Move to a larger container once the roots fill the current pot.

Suelo

Well draining cactus mix

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatura

10 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years

Fragancia

Intensa

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is non toxic to humans, though the spines can cause mechanical irritation.

Niños

Keep away from small children due to the sharp spines on the stems.

Alérgenos por contacto

The small spines on the stems can cause skin irritation upon contact.

Alérgenos en el aire

There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.

Comestibilidad

Ensure fruit is sourced from reliable growers to avoid potential pesticide residues on the skin.

Cómo identificarla

• Three sided succulent stems
• Small spines along stem ridges
• Large white nocturnal flowers
• Bright pink scaly fruit
• White flesh with tiny seeds

Altura

3 a 6m

Anchura

1 a 3m

Hojas

green, evergreen

Flores

white, yellow, 15 a 30cm

Frutos

pink, red, Summer to autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Mealybugs — Small white cottony insects that feed on plant sap.
• Stem rot — Fungal decay caused by excessive moisture or poor drainage.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

cuttings, seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, summer

Cuidados en invierno

Move the plant indoors or into a greenhouse if temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Keep the soil drier during the winter months to prevent root rot.

En maceta

It grows well in large containers with a minimum size of 20 liters to accommodate its root system.

Pair with other succulents that enjoy bright light and infrequent watering to simplify your care routine.

Buenas compañeras

• Sábila — They share similar light and water requirements.
• Planta de jade — Both plants thrive in well draining soil and bright conditions.

Especies parecidas

• Selenicereus megalanthus — It is a closely related species that produces yellow skinned fruit.

Ciencia

Familia

Cactaceae

Género

Selenicereus

Orden

Caryophyllales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Central and South America

Conservación

This species is widely cultivated and not considered threatened in its native range.

It grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte in tropical forests, using its roots to climb trees or rocks for better light access.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

polillas, abejas

Usos

ornamental, culinary fruit, container plant

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Does it need a trellis?

Yes, as a climbing cactus it requires sturdy support to grow properly.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

De dónde viene el nombre

Selenicereus comes from the Greek word for moon, referring to its nocturnal blooms. Undatus refers to the wavy margins of the stems.

Bueno saberlo

• The fruit is commonly known as dragon fruit or pitaya.
• It is a climbing cactus that uses aerial roots to attach to surfaces.
• The plant can produce multiple crops of fruit in a single season.
• It thrives in tropical climates with high light intensity.