Dragon Fruit

Hylocereus spp. and Selenicereus spp.

1. Identification and origin

The pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, includes species of the genera Hylocereus [e.g.: Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose] and Selenicereus [e.g.: Selenicereus megalanthus (K. Schum. ex Vaupel) Moran]. They are climbing cacti native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. The crop has spread to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Mediterranean. In Portugal, it is in a phase of expansion, mainly in greenhouses and coastal areas with a mild climate.

2. Economic importance

The pitaya has high commercial value owing to its exotic appearance, high demand in the fresh market and good post-harvest storage capacity. Intensive greenhouse production allows extended harvests and uniform sizes. The fruit is consumed fresh, in juices, desserts and gourmet products.

3. Botanical description

Climbing cactus plants, with succulent, triangular or polygonal stems, bearing areoles with small spines. The flowers are large, white, nocturnal and short-lived. The fruits are oval berries, with a coloured skin (red, pink, yellow) and white, red or purple pulp, containing numerous small seeds. The root system is shallow but efficient in water absorption.

4. Soil and climate requirements

The pitaya adapts to tropical and subtropical climates, tolerating high temperatures. It prefers temperatures between 18–32 °C and is sensitive to cold below 5 °C. It develops best in well-drained soils, of sandy to loamy texture, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It tolerates some dryness but benefits from regular irrigation during fruiting periods. The crop requires vertical trellising and good ventilation.

5. Main pests

• Scale insects (Dactylopius spp., Planococcus citri): sap sucking and sooty mould
• Fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata): oviposition and rots
• Mites (Tetranychus spp.): chloroses and necroses on the cladodes
• Aphids (Aphididae): curling and transmission of viruses
• Slugs and snails: borings in the cladodes and fruits
• Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.): root galls and vegetative decline

6. Main diseases

• Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides): sunken lesions on the cladodes and fruits
• Fungal rots (Fusarium oxysporum, Botryosphaeria spp.): necroses and death of segments
• Root rots (Phytophthora spp.): wilting and sudden death in waterlogged soils
• Bacterial spots (Xanthomonas spp.): watery lesions and necroses
• Powdery mildew (Oidium spp.): white spots and reduction of photosynthesis

7. General crop management

The management of the pitaya includes the choice of species and cultivars adapted to the local climate, the installation of robust trellising systems and regular pruning to control growth and favour fruiting. Irrigation should be moderate, avoiding waterlogging. The control of scale insects, mites and anthracnose is essential, especially under greenhouse. Harvesting is carried out when the skin reaches the colour characteristic of the cultivar, avoiding delays that reduce quality.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Hylocereus spp., Selenicereus spp.
• CABI – Crop Protection Compendium – Hylocereus undatus, Selenicereus megalanthus
• Nerd, A., et al. (2002). Fruit physiology and production of pitaya. Horticultural Reviews.
• FAO (2021). Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Production Manual.
• Mizrahi, Y., et al. (2015). Domestication and cultivation of pitaya. In: Cactus Biology and Cultivation. Springer.
• Tel‑Zur, N., et al. (2011). Breeding and genetics of Hylocereus. Acta Horticulturae.