Cactus - Living House

Dragon Fruit

Hylocereus undatus

The cactus that doesn't bite.

Don’t let the name startle you! With fragrant white and yellow blooms, this perfectly low-maintenance houseplant is a hardy cactus and comes with a great will to grow (and is soft to the touch). As its stems continue to sprawl outward, you may want to repot the dragon fruit to see its full potential.

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Sun

Place in a light shaded to bright environment. Avoid direct sunlight.

Water

Water more frequently than other cacti (approximately once every 2 weeks). Allow soil to dry between waterings. Soil should be moist, but not saturated.

Temperature

12-27ºC (54-80ºF). Keep indoors, except USDA zones 10a to 11b. Do not exceed 37ºC (100ºF), or let below 0ºC (32ºF), to prevent wilting/freezing.

The fruit borne by mature plants is edible. Do not consume the plant itself.

More Care Tips

Soil and Repotting

Repot annually using a well-draining potting mix formulated for succulents and cacti. The whole plant can be repotted into one pot, or the individual stems may be separated.

Pruning and Shaping

If you notice skinny growth emitting from the top of the stems, it is likely a sign of not enough sunlight. These growths may be pruned using a sharp, sterile knife or scissors. Once pruned, move the plant to a brighter location with more sunlight.

Propagation

Can be propagated from seeds or cuttings.

Plant Health

Aerial roots or epiphytic roots appear as tiny, white, hair-like growths on the stems and are a common occurrence in Dragon Fruit. These roots help Dragon Fruit cacti cling to and grow on structures, and also help the plant get moisture and nutrients. They are normal and should be left alone.

Blooming

Container-grown Dragon Fruit that are grown from seeds will grow much more slowly than plants grown from cuttings, or grown outdoors in their native habitats. It can take several years for a Dragon Fruit cactus to reach maturity before it can bloom or produce fruit.

Plant Maintenance

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