This plant gives not only a sweet fruit but also some stellar-looking cacti as well. Here is How to Grow Dragon Fruit Plant Indoors!
Belle of the Night, better known as the Dragon Fruit, is a cactus. It can be grown indoors with moderate maintenance.
Dragon Fruit Information
Botanical Name: Hylocereus undatus
USDA Zone: 10 – 12
The origin of the Dragon Fruit is not extremely clear, but it is believed to be found in southern Mexico, Costa Rica, Columbia, Brazil, and many other locations. It is an evergreen plant whose flowers bloom only during the night. Indoors, it will not sprout fruit unless done by hand pollination. But even without fruits, it makes for a striking cactus to plant indoors. Scroll on to read about how to grow it indoors.
Propagating Dragon Fruit
From Stem Cuttings
Find a 6 to 15-inch (15-38 cm) stem from a well-grown Dragon Plant. Cut it from the base and apply some fungicide. Let it dry over 7 – 8 days in a shaded and dry place. After it has dried out, put it in a rooting hormone and plant it in a new pot. It will soon turn into a full plant.
Requirements for Growing Dragon Fruit
Light
Keep your tropical succulent in a spot which receives full sun, i.e. 6 – 8 hours of light during the day, and then partial shade during the rest of the day. Artificial light also works if needed. Take care to give it full exposure, and not just one part of the plant receives too much light, or it will burn.
Soil
This plant is tolerant of any well-drained soil. Look for chalk, loamy or sandy soil with acid, alkaline or neutral pH.
Water
When the plant is in the growing stage, water it generously. Allow the topsoil to dry before watering on general days. It is also a bit drought-tolerant, so do not panic if you forget to water it for a short while.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal temperature for this plant is- above freezing temperature and less than 100 F/38 C. It can tolerate light heat and cold but will die if kept in such an environment for a prolonged time.
A humidity level of 30% – 50% is ideal for the Dragon Fruit. During summers, use the pebble tray method, misting or humidifiers to maintain the humidity levels.
Dragon Fruit Care
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is required when the plant is in its growing stage. During this time, fertilize it using a balanced, liquid, low-nitrogen fertilizer on a monthly basis. There is no requirement for fertilizing during colder months.
Pests and Diseases
Indoors, the plant might get attacked by aphids, mealybugs, and scale and anthracnose disease due to low air circulation between the stems.
Support and Trellis
This plant grows up as a vine. Naturally, it needs some support to grow. Provide strong support or trellis to your pot, keeping the cactus weight in mind so that it grows beautifully.
Pruning
Pruning is required in this plant because it tends to grow so much that it stops air circulation, which can be a cause of a fungal infection. So, prune your cactus to keep it healthy and in shape.
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