pitaya flower

The Magical and Mysterious Pitaya Flower Only Blooms for One Night

Strawberry pear, Kaktus Madu, cactus fruit, night-blooming cereus – it’s probably popping up all over your Instagram and Pinterest feeds and every food photographer seems to have a strong interest in capturing them. Why not? They are more photogenic than some of us humans.

Everyone knows about pitaya, the exotic-looking dragon fruit that tastes like a cross between pear and kiwi. It’s pretty tasty (to most people) but people are more drawn to the appearance of the fruit. It has a pink/bright-red exterior, a fleshy white/red inside filled with tiny black seeds, and green scales on the outside that makes it look like something out of a fairytale. The scales are similar to those on a dragon, hence the name ‘Dragon fruit’. It’s simply enchanting, and you’d be further drawn in by the mysterious nature of the flower most people don’t ever get to see.

Read More: How To Grow Creeping Avens, The Candyfloss Flower

The dazzling but short-lived flower

pitaya cactus flower

The pitaya flower, also known as the moonflower or the Queen of the Night flower is one of the most mysterious flowers in nature. Two weeks after the buds are planted, the flower blooms in the dark and usually lasts one night before wilting. Two weeks later, the super fruit makes its entrance into the world after the wilting flower has been pollinated.

The pitaya flower comes from one of the 16 species of the Hylocereus genus native to Mexico and South American countries, although the plants can be grown in nearly every part of the world today. The most common species is H. undatus, a highly commercialized crop in many countries including Israel, Australia, China Malaysia, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Colombia Taiwan, and Costa Rica. Many of the species bloom beautiful flowers with creamy-white petals. Sometimes, the tips of the petals are a lovely purple shade and in some species, the petals are a sweet red color.

pitaya cactus flower with dragonfruit

Sadly, the pitaya flower is short-lived, blooming just for one night. It’s not the best plant for longer-term decoration. But growing this incredible plant yields not only a yummy fruit but a magical, mysterious evening with an absolutely stunning flower.

How to grow pitaya cactus

Pitaya cactus are actually fairly simple to grow. Seeds can be collected from the cactus fruit, cleaned, and dried. Collect seeds from an overripe but unblemished fruit.

Once dried, the seeds can be planted in a standard potting soil mix just barely under the soil. The cactus seeds will germinate after about two weeks. Be careful not to overwater your cactus seedlings. Pitaya cactus are climbers and will appreciate something to climb onto.

Your pitaya cactus can thrive outdoors and produce these dazzling pitaya flowers in zones 10 and 11. Some may be able to survive in zones 9a and 9b.

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Thomas Nelson
Gardening Expert
Hi! I'm Thomas, one of the founders of The Garden Magazine. I come from a long line of gardeners who used the art of gardening as a way to live long, healthy lives. I'm here to share my knowledge of gardening with the world!