Dragon fruit (pitaya) Selenicereus undatus
Dragon fruit (pitaya) (Selenicereus undatus) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Cactaceae family, native to Central America and Mexico. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Dragon fruit (pitaya) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Dragon fruit (pitaya) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 17–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Central America and Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Dragon fruit (pitaya) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Dragon fruit (pitaya)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Dragon fruit (pitaya)
- How far apart should I plant Dragon fruit (pitaya)?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Dragon fruit (pitaya) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Dragon fruit (pitaya) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Dragon fruit (pitaya)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Dragon fruit (pitaya) flower?
- From about May for 17–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Dragon fruit (pitaya) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Dragon fruit (pitaya)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Dragon fruit (pitaya). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- A climbing cactus trained over a post; huge night-blooming flowers in flushes through summer. Vietnam is the largest exporter. Formerly Hylocereus undatus.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Prickly pear (nopal) Opuntia ficus-indica
- Golden barrel cactus Echinocactus grusonii
- Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea
- Fishhook barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizeni
- Teddy-bear cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii
- Engelmann's prickly pear Opuntia engelmannii
- Organ pipe cactus Stenocereus thurberi
- Mexican giant cardón Pachycereus pringlei