Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Cactus, Fruit
  
Tree
  
Origin
Caribbean, Central America
  
China
  
Types
Hylocereus undatus, Hylocereus costaricensis, Hylocereus megalanthus
  
Not Available
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Rocky areas, Terrestrial
  
Fields, Forest edges, Grassland, Roadsides
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
11-15
  
4-8
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-9
  
8-1
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Not Available
  
Habit
Spreading
  
Arching/Fountain-shaped
  
Plant Size
  
  
Minimum Height
1,220.00 cm
  
33
Minimum Width
1,070.00 cm
  
19
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White, Gold
  
Yellow green, Light Green
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Red
  
Pink, Light Green, Sienna
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Not Available
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Not Available
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Not Available
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Toothed
  
Heart-shaped
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Summer, Fall
  
Spring, Summer
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Average
  
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer
  
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
No
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Pollution, Drought, Salt, Soil Compaction
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Cuttings, reseeds, Stem Cutting
  
Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Keep the Soil well drained
  
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Average
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Prune in late summer or fall, Prune in late winter, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
  
Red blotch, Spotted Lanterfly
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought, Variety of soil types
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Insignificant
  
Flower Petal Number
Semi-Double
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
Yes
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Coarse
  
Foliage Sheen
Not Available
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
Yes
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Not Available
  
Birds
  
Allergy
no allergic reactions
  
allergic reaction, Skin irritation
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
As decorated salad, Beautification
  
Beautification, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
No Beauty Benefits
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Antidiabetic, Appetite enhancer, increase memory, Weight loss
  
Anthelmintic, Antispasmodic, Asthma, Astringent
  
Part of Plant Used
Fruits
  
Bark, Root
  
Other Uses
Not Available
  
Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used for woodware
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
  
Shade Trees, Street Trees
  
Botanical Name
HYLOCEREUS undatus
  
AILANTHUS altissima
  
Common Name
Pitahaya, Dragon fruit, Night blooming Cereus, Strawberry Pear, Belle of the Night, Cinderella Plant, Jesus in the Cradle
  
Tree-of-Heaven
  
In Hindi
Red Pitaya
  
कल्पवृक्ष
  
In German
Drachenfrucht, Distelbirne
  
Baum des Himmels
  
In French
pitaya, fruit du dragon, cierge-lézard, poire de chardon
  
Arbre de paradis
  
In Spanish
pitahaya roja (Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela); flor de caliz, pitajava (Puerto Rico); junco, junco tapatio, pitahaya orejona, reina de la noche, tasajo (Mexico)
  
Arbol del Cielo
  
In Greek
Φρούτο του δράκου (fruto tu draku)
  
Δέντρο του Ουρανού
  
In Portuguese
pitaia, cato-barse, cardo-ananaz, rainha da noite
  
Árvore do céu
  
In Polish
Red Pitaya
  
Drzewo Nieba
  
In Latin
Red Pitaya
  
Lignum de caelo
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Caryophyllales
  
Sapindales
  
Family
Cactaceae
  
Simaroubaceae
  
Genus
Hylocereus
  
Ailanthus
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Cacteae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Cactoideae
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available