Dragon fruit has long been valued by the indigenous peoples of Central and South America for its sweet flavor. But this fruit is more than a tasty snack; it's also a beautiful and interesting type of cactus plant that produces stunning–if ephemeral–flowers. Here's how to grow dragon fruit from seed so you can enjoy your own plant. Then, use the tips below to help your new dragon fruit plant thrive for many years.
Steps to Grow Dragon Fruit from Seed
Materials
- Seed starter soil mix
- 4-inch plastic pots
- 1 Dragon fruit
- Kitchen strainer or thin sieve
- Plastic wrap
- Rubber band
1. Separate seeds from pulp.
The first step is to separate the tiny black seeds from the pulp. Choose a dragon fruit that is overripe and scoop out the pulp into a sieve or kitchen strainer with a fine mesh. Next, rinse the pulp and seeds under a faucet and gently begin pressing on the pulp. Continue rinsing seeds until all of the pulp has been washed away and only the seeds remain. Allow seeds to dry on a paper towel.
2. Prepare soil and container.
Fill the plastic pot(s) with seed mix and moisten until evenly damp. Leave about 1 inch of space between the soil surface and the pot's rim.
3. Sow seeds in pots.
Evenly sprinkle seeds on the surface of the damp seed mix. Separate any seeds that have clumped together and spritz them with water to unstick them. You don't need to be precise about the number of seeds you sow, but try to make sure each has about a half inch of space.
4. Cover pots and place in warm spot.
Place plastic wrap over the top of the pot(s) and secure it in place with a rubber band. This will help keep moisture levels even while seeds are germinating. Leave your pot(s) in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating. Grow lights and horticultural heating pads can be beneficial.
5. Remove cover once growth appears.
In 1-2 weeks, seeds should begin to sprout. Once the seedlings send up some leaves, remove the cover and check the soil often to make sure it doesn't dry out.
6. Pot up seedlings.
After the third set of leaves has appeared, gently remove individual plants from the pot and plant each in its own larger container. After seedlings are firmly established, begin fertilizing with a half-strength fertilizer.
Where to Grow Dragon Fruit Plants
These unusual plants are subtropical to tropical plants (USDA Hardiness Zones 10+) that are easy to grow under warm, dry conditions both indoors and outdoors. While established plants can handle brief periods of cold or even light frosts, it's best to avoid exposing them to temperatures below 50°F for extended periods of time.
Give outdoor plants full sun (8+ hours per day) where possible and supplement indoor plants with grow lights. Dragon fruit plants are not especially picky about their soil though it must drain well to avoid root rot.
Found in nature scrambling up the bark of trees, dragon fruits are actually vining cacti. While these plants are natural climbers, they can be grown in hanging baskets with good results. If you train your plant up a pole, an annual pruning just after fruit harvest can help keep your plant shaped and productive. Remove any branches that grow from the main stem(s) and trim off stems that have borne fruit the previous season. Cut stems at nodes.
Dragon Fruit Plant Care Tips
During the growing season, give plants plenty of water but allow the soil to dry somewhat before watering again. While dormant or while plants have otherwise slowed their growth, cut back on watering.
Mature plants can grow quickly and will respond well to fertilizers while actively growing, flowering, and fruiting. As with many cacti, dragon fruit plants are night-blooming and pollinated by moths and bats in their natural habitat. You may need to use a soft paint brush to pollinate flowers if you aren't getting many fruits.