🌵 Dragon Fruit: Growing Guide
Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus undatus) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at 5–40 °C (41–104 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 200 cm (79 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Hylocereus undatus |
|---|---|
| Category | Tropical Fruits |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 200 cm (79 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 5–40 °C (41–104 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 5 cm (2 in) |
| Height | 100–500 cm (39–197 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Jul · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
Watering
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Moderate, tolerates drought.
Growing tips
A cactus! Flowers at night. Pink or white fruit. Very low maintenance. Spectacular.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Dragon Fruit: when should I sow and plant it?
Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Jul · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct. Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
Dragon Fruit: how often should I water it?
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Moderate, tolerates drought.
Dragon Fruit: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 200 cm (79 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 5 cm (2 in).
Dragon Fruit: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Dragon Fruit: which plants grow well with it?
Cactus.
Plan your garden
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