Dragon Fruit.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Cactus

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 7 à 14 jours

Taille adulte

20 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 12

Floraison

Late spring to early autumn

Entretien

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.

Arrosage

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

Engrais

Feed with a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Taille

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

Rempotage

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

Sol

Well draining cactus mix

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.0

Température

10 à 35°C

Humidité

40 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Moyenne

Durée de vie

Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years

Parfum

Fort

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

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

Enfants

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

Allergènes de contact

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

Allergènes aéroportés

There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.

Comestibilité

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

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur

3 à 6m

Envergure

1 à 3m

Feuilles

green, evergreen

Fleurs

white, yellow, 15 à 30cm

Fruits

pink, red, Summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

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

La cultiver

Multiplication

cuttings, seed

Quand planter

spring, summer

Hivernage

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 pot

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.

Bonnes associations

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

Espèces similaires

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

Science

Famille

Cactaceae

Genre

Selenicereus

Ordre

Caryophyllales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Central and South America

Préservation

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.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

papillons de nuit, abeilles

Utilisations

ornamental, culinary fruit, container plant

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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

Bon à savoir

• 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.