Pink dragon fruit (pitaya) is a climbing cactus with spectacular night-blooming flowers and sweet fruit with bright pink to magenta flesh. (Selenicereus sp. (pink flesh))
Shop this plant: Dragonfruit Pink Plant 7 Gal – Miami-Dade
Quick Care Summary
- Sun: Full sun to light afternoon shade.
- Soil: Fast-draining, sandy soil with compost; dragon fruit rots in wet soil.
- Watering: Water weekly in dry weather, more while flowering and fruiting; let the soil dry between waterings.
Sun
Full sun to light afternoon shade.
Soil
Fast-draining, sandy soil with compost; dragon fruit rots in wet soil. Raised beds or mounds work well.
Watering
Water weekly in dry weather, more while flowering and fruiting; let the soil dry between waterings.
Fertilizer Schedule for South Florida
Feed a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks from March through October; add compost around the base.
Pruning
Train stems up a sturdy post 5-6 ft tall with a top frame so the stems can cascade. Remove crowded or damaged stems after harvest.
Cold Protection
Damaged near 32°F. Cover with frost cloth on cold nights.
Container vs. In-Ground
Grows well in a 15-25 gallon container with a sturdy trellis.
Spacing
Space posts 6-10 ft apart.
Flowering and Fruiting Timeline
Often fruits in 1-2 years. Flowers bloom at night from summer to fall; fruit ripens about 30-50 days later.
Harvest
Pick when the skin turns fully pink-red and the 'wings' start to brown. Twist or cut from the stem.
Common Pests and Diseases
Start with organic, low-impact fixes: good airflow, clean-up of fallen fruit and leaves, and soaps or oils before anything stronger. Always follow label directions.
Stem rot
How to identify: Soft, yellow-brown sections of stem.
Organic-first treatment: Cut out rotted sections, let dry, and improve drainage.
Scale and mealybugs
How to identify: Small bumps or white cottony clusters on stems and leaf undersides, often with sticky honeydew and black sooty mold.
Organic-first treatment: Prune heavily infested twigs, spray horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, and control the ants that farm them.
Ants and fruit flies
How to identify: Damaged or oozing fruit.
Organic-first treatment: Harvest promptly and keep the area clean.
Anthracnose and leaf spot
How to identify: Dark sunken spots on leaves and fruit, worse in rainy weather.
Organic-first treatment: Prune for airflow, clean up fallen leaves and fruit, and use copper fungicide during wet periods if needed.
FAQ
Do I need two plants? Some pink types benefit from cross-pollination; hand pollinating at night improves fruit set.
How fast does it grow? Very fast in summer; well-trained plants fruit in 1-2 years.
Related Reading
- How to Grow Dragon Fruit in Miami
- Why Too Much Fertilizer Can Hurt Your Fruit Tree More Than None
- Cold-Hardy Fruit Trees for Florida Freezes (and How to Protect Tender Ones)
Ready to grow your own? Get the Pink Dragon Fruit here.
