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Hylocereus undatus
Partial shade is ideal for this plant, but it can also tolerate sunny locations.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
It can tolerate temperatures as low as -1.1 °C for short periods. However, the plant is not frost-resistant.
It is used not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a fruit crop – known as pitahaya or dragon fruit.
Hylocereus undatus, commonly known as Dragon Fruit, is a cactus also listed under the synonyms Cereus undatus and Selenicereus undatus. The Latin epithet undatus means “wavy” and refers to the shape of the stem margins. The exact origin of the species is uncertain and it may represent an old hybrid. It is a lithophytic or hemiepiphytic cactus, meaning it can grow on rocks or attach itself to other plants using aerial roots.
This succulent has green, trailing stems, usually with three ribs. The rib margins are horn-like and wavy, and the areoles bear one to three short spines that are grey-brown to black. Individual segments can reach up to about 1.2 m in length, and the plant branches freely, producing aerial roots for support.
The flowers are very large, white, strongly fragrant, and open at night. They appear from late spring to early summer and may be followed by elongated to oval fruits known as dragon fruit.
Hylocereus undatus is a fast-growing succulent that can be fertilized during the growing season. Under good conditions it quickly outgrows its container, so providing space or support is recommended.