Hylocereus costaricensis – Red Dragonfruit

Hylocereus costaricensis (Red Dragonfruit) is a spreading, climbing cactus that produces fruit with a bright pink skin; that is popular and expensive. This species is grown commercially for its fruit in many countries, but it is not uncommon to see it growing purely for its ornamental value. Hylocereus costaricensis uses aerial roots to climb and is often grown up large posts or tree trunks; to give the appearance that it is a tree all on its own. It is quite a beautiful specimen in a cactus garden and bears lovely large flowers and tasty edible fruit. Click here to check out our full range of Edibles or Fruits or to view information about the White Dragonfruit. Growth Hylocereus costaricensis is a cactus that is native to tropical regions of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. It can also be grown in dry and temperate climates but it is best to keep them in pots until they are a few years old and well established, before planting them outdoors in temperate areas. Dragonfruit plants need support as they grow, their long succulent branches can be very heavy and may break weak structures eventually. They are easiest to grow and harvest with some height and we recommend growing them up next a strong post or kept in pot off the ground to let their branches hang down. The 3-5 sided branches (ribs) can grow as large as 10 metres in length, which is huge. However, can easily be trimmed at the joints to keep at a preferred length. Each joint can range between 20 cm’s to over 1 metre. It’s flowers are large, getting up to 17 cm’s in diameter, have pink-purple tips and quite stunning. The scented flowers are nocturnal, opening as the sun is setting and only survive for the one night, as the sun comes up the next morning the petals will start to fall and its life span is sadly over. The skin of the fruit is bright pink-red on the outside and although almost identical on the outside to the white dragon fruit; there are subtle differences. The Flesh of the fruit is a deep pink-fuchsia colour and the plant can fruit up to 6 times a year in ideal climates. The flowers are also edible. Caring for Cacti during Winter If growing in cooler climates, keep in mind that cacti don’t need water while they are dormant during winter, and can rot if the soil is too moist. The trickiest part if growing them outdoors is keeping the soil fairly dry during cold wet periods. It is best to keep them in containers until they are a couple of years old and well established before planting them outdoors. Raised beds or rockeries where the soil can drain easily are beneficial. Of course you can keep them indoors or in pots outdoors, so that you can move them to a protected area in winter. FAMILY: Cactaceae CLIMATE: Temperate, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Tropical TEMPERATURE RANGE: -3 to 40°C / 27 to 104°F SOIL TYPE: Soil MUST be well draining. LOCATION: Full Sun HEIGHT: Up to 10 metres (32 feet) WIDTH: Up to 10 metres (32 feet) pH: 5.5-7.0 GROWTH TYPE: Evergreen, Climbing WATER REQUIREMENTS: Light POLLINATION: Bats and Moths MATURITY: 4-5 years GERMINATION RATES: 70-85% GERMINATION TIME: 2-4 weeks SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 350 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: Yes WEED POTENTIAL: Yes – In Hawaii FACTS ABOUT HYLOCEREUS COSTARICENSIS (Red Dragonfruit)   Some countries call this fruit Pitaya, Strawberry Pear and Pitahaya. It has a similar texture and taste to a mild flavoured pear or melon. Dragonfruit has lots of vitamins and minerals and also have some medicinal health benefits. Eating the fruit of the Red Dragonfruit can turn your urine and faeces pink!