Hylocereus undatus (White Dragonfruit) is a spreading, climbing cactus that produces fruit with a bright pink skin; that is popular and expensive. This species is grown commercially for its fruit in many countries, but it is not uncommon to see it growing purely for its ornamental value. Hylocereus undatus uses aerial roots to climb and is often grown up large stakes, posts or tree trunks; to give the appearance that it is a tree all on its own.
It is quite a beautiful specimen in a cactus garden and bears lovely large flowers and tasty edible fruit.
Check out our other page about the Red Dragonfruit.
Growth
Hylocereus undatus is a cactus that is native to tropical regions. It can also be grown in dry and temperate climates but it is best to keep them in pots until they are a few years old and well established, before planting them outdoors. Dragonfruit plants need support as they grow, their long succulent branches can be very heavy and may break weak structures eventually. They are easiest to grow and harvest with some height and we recommend growing them up next a strong post or kept in pot off the ground to let their branches hang down.
The 3-5 sided branches (ribs) can grow as large as 10 metres in length, which is huge. However, can easily be trimmed at the joints to keep at a preferred length. Each joint can range between 20 cm’s to over 1 metre. It’s flowers are large, getting up to 17 cm’s in diameter, have yellow-green tips and truly beautiful. The flowers are nocturnal, opening as the sun is setting and only survive for the one night, as the sun comes up the next morning the petals will start to fall and its life span is sadly over.
The skin of the fruit is bright pink-red on the outside and although almost identical to the red dragon fruit; there are subtle differences. The fruit is whit on the inside and the plant can fruit up to 6 times a year in ideal climates and the flowers are also edible.
Caring for Cacti during Winter
If growing in cooler climates, keep in mind that cacti don’t need water while they are dormant during winter, and can rot if the soil is too moist. The trickiest part if growing them outdoors is keeping the soil fairly dry during cold wet periods. It is best to keep them in containers until they are a couple of years old and well established before planting them outdoors. Raised beds or rockeries where the soil can drain easily are beneficial. Of course you can keep them indoors or in pots outdoors, so that you can move them to a protected area in winter.
FAMILY:
Cactaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-3 to 40°C / 27 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil MUST be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 10 metres (32 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 10 metres (32 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen, Climbing
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bats and Moths
MATURITY:
4-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 350
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes – Including Northern NSW & parts of QLD
FACTS ABOUT HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS (White Dragonfruit)
Dragon Fruit is believed to be native to Mexico but has been grown successfully from Canada to as south as Argentina.
Some countries call this fruit Pitaya, Strawberry Pear and Pitahaya. It has a similar texture and taste to mild flavoured pear and melon.
Dragonfruit has lots of vitamins and minerals and also have some medicinal health benefits.
