Life Span
Not Available
  
Perennial
  
Type
Cactus or Succulent
  
Cactus, Fruit
  
Origin
Southwestern United States, Mexico
  
Caribbean, Central America
  
Types
Not Available
  
Hylocereus undatus, Hylocereus costaricensis, Hylocereus megalanthus
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Desert, Dry areas, Rocky areas
  
Rocky areas, Terrestrial
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-12
  
11-15
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-8
  
12-9
  
Sunset Zone
10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
  
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Upright/Erect
  
Spreading
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Hot Pink, Rose, Bronze
  
White, Gold
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Green
  
Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Not Available
  
Toothed
  
Thorns
Yes
  
Yes
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun
  
Growth Rate
Slow
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
  
Early Summer, Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
Not Available
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Container, Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Leaf Cutting, Stem Cutting
  
Cuttings, reseeds, Stem Cutting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Allow soil to be completely dry in between waterings
  
Average Water Needs, Keep the Soil well drained
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun
  
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
No fertilizers needed
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch, Root rot
  
Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry Conditions, Heat Tolerance, Sun
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
  
Semi-Double
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Not Available
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
Not Available
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Leaf
Not Available
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Not Available
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
No
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Bold
  
Foliage Sheen
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
no allergic reactions
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Borders, Decorating walls
  
As decorated salad, Beautification
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
  
Antidiabetic, Appetite enhancer, increase memory, Weight loss
  
Part of Plant Used
Stem
  
Fruits
  
Other Uses
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Rock Garden, Wall
  
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
CYLINDROPUNTIA fulgida
  
HYLOCEREUS undatus
  
Common Name
hanging chain cholla
  
Pitahaya, Dragon fruit, Night blooming Cereus, Strawberry Pear, Belle of the Night, Cinderella Plant, Jesus in the Cradle
  
In Hindi
jumping cholla
  
Red Pitaya
  
In German
jumping cholla
  
Drachenfrucht, Distelbirne
  
In French
jumping cholla
  
pitaya, fruit du dragon, cierge-lézard, poire de chardon
  
In Spanish
jumping cholla
  
pitahaya roja (Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela); flor de caliz, pitajava (Puerto Rico); junco, junco tapatio, pitahaya orejona, reina de la noche, tasajo (Mexico)
  
In Greek
jumping cholla
  
Φρούτο του δράκου (fruto tu draku)
  
In Portuguese
jumping cholla
  
pitaia, cato-barse, cardo-ananaz, rainha da noite
  
In Polish
jumping cholla
  
Red Pitaya
  
In Latin
jumping cholla
  
Red Pitaya
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Tracheophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Caryophyllales
  
Caryophyllales
  
Family
Cactaceae
  
Cactaceae
  
Genus
Cylindropuntia
  
Hylocereus
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Cacteae
  
Subfamily
Not Available
  
Cactoideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available