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.

Plant guide

Dragon Fruit.

Selenicereus undatus

Pronounced seh-len-ih-SEE-ree-us un-DAY-tus

Also known as Nightblooming Cactus

Night-blooming Cereus — Photo by J. L. Gómez-Hechavarría (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This stunning climbing cactus produces vibrant, scale covered fruit that looks just like a dragon. It thrives in warm, sunny spots and loves to scramble over trellises. You will enjoy its massive, fragrant white flowers that bloom only at night.

Another photo of Dragon Fruit — Photo by capacoscar (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Cactus
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 20 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

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.

Watering: Let the soil dry out significantly between waterings to prevent root rot.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage branching and keep the plant manageable.
Repotting: Move to a larger container once the roots fill the current pot.
Soil: Well draining cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth during the active season
Soil drying out too quickly after watering

Safety

People: The plant is non toxic to humans, though the spines can cause mechanical irritation.
Children: Keep away from small children due to the sharp spines on the stems.
Contact allergens: The small spines on the stems can cause skin irritation upon contact.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: Ensure fruit is sourced from reliable growers to avoid potential pesticide residues on the skin.

How to identify it

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

Height: 3 to 6m
Spread: 1 to 3m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, yellow, 15 to 30cm
Fruit: pink, red, Summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Stem RotCommon
AnthracnoseUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: 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.
In containers: It grows well in large containers with a minimum size of 20 liters to accommodate its root system.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a healthy stem segment about 20 centimeters long.
2. Allow the cut end to callous over for several days in a dry place.
3. Insert the calloused end into a well draining cactus potting mix.
4. Keep the soil lightly moist until roots develop.

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

Grows well with

Aloe · They share similar light and water requirements.
Jade Plant · Both plants thrive in well draining soil and bright conditions.

Similar species

Yellow Pitaya · It is a closely related species that produces yellow skinned fruit.

Science

Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Selenicereus
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and South America
Conservation: 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.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: moths, bees
Uses: ornamental, culinary fruit, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

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.

Where the name comes from

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

Good to know

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.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.