Selenicereus undatus
Images by part: leaf (1) · flower (0) · fruit (0) · bark (0) · habit (0) · other (0)

Selenicereus undatus

Dragon fruit · Nightblooming Cactus · Night-blooming cereus · Strawberry-pear · Pitaya

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun Toxicity: low
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
382
Observations
2,533

Description

Source: leafsnap

Selenicereus undatus, the white-fleshed pitahaya, is a species of Cactaceae and is the most cultivated species in the genus. It is used both as an ornamental vine and as a fruit crop - the pitahaya or dragon fruit. The native origin of the species has never been resolved.

Care Guide

💧 Water

White-fleshed pitahaya thrives in tropical climates characterized by high humidity and occasional heavy rains. While it is drought-tolerant, it still prefers moist conditions. To prevent over-watering, it's best to water it every two weeks. Usually grown outdoors, the growth cycle of white-fleshed pitahaya is influenced by seasonal rainfall patterns.

☀️ Light Full sun

White-Fleshed Pitahaya, native to dry regions, performs best in full sun; its natural habitat features intense sunlight and very little shade. It can also tolerate partial sun, providing some flexibility in its growth.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

White-Fleshed Pitahaya does well in its native habitat where temperatures range from 68 to 100 °F (20 to 38 ℃). If temperatures stay within that range, seasonal adjustments are usually unnecessary.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity dry (<40%)

This plant prefers dry conditions, so don't mist it. However, watering it less often can also thrive in higher humidity.

Humidity: dry (<40%)
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

For White-Fleshed Pitahaya, small amounts of fertilizer applied 1-2 times a year during the growing season are adequate. Do not fertilize in winter or summer when the plant is dormant. Use less fertilizer for plants that have been repotted and wait a couple of months after repotting before you fertilize. Fertilizing helps maintain healthy growth and promotes flowering.

🪴 Pot & Repot Every 12 months
Suggested frequency: Every 12 months
✂️ Pruning

White-fleshed pitahaya requires minimal pruning. To ensure healthy growth, remove any withered flowers and branches. This allows the plant to allocate nutrients more efficiently.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Succulent, Vine
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Selenicereus
Family
Cactaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
3.05 m to 10.06 m
Mature Spread
2.13 m to 3.96 m
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
25.40 cm to 30.48 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Early fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Honduras, Mexico

Tags (8)

Common Names (9)

en Dragon fruit
en Nightblooming Cactus
en Night-blooming cereus
en Strawberry-pear
en Pitaya
en Night Blooming Cerus
en Red Skin
en Buah naga
zh 火龙果