Three-winged photosynthetic stems
Broad faces carry out photosynthesis while the edges organise areoles and aerial roots.
Hylocereus undatus 5.5cm
Normal price
€3,50
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Hylocereusundatus
No fruit yet. Plenty of style 😍
- Cactaceae
- Epiphytic/hemiepiphytic habit
- Bright filtered light
- Climbing or trailing
- Avoid prolonged drought
Hylocereus undatus is a dynamic cactus with fleshy, usually three-angled stems, undulating edges and small areoles following the ribs like discreet stitching. Clean green surfaces and the unusual angular cross-section give young stems a modern linear quality. As they lengthen, the initially upright form develops into a far freer trailing or climbing silhouette.
At maturity it creates a rich mass of waving green lines and can open enormous white flowers resembling nocturnal stars. Iconic dragon fruit adds another celebrated dimension to its identity and makes its story familiar far beyond cactus collecting. This is a plant with genuine visual evolution, spectacular floral presence and instantly recognisable exotic appeal.
What makes it distinctive
It does not behave like a desert barrel cactus: its form is adapted to forest climbing, support and more regular access to moisture.
A cactus that seeks support
Lengthening stems can be tied to a trellis or post, or allowed to cascade from a high container.
Nocturnal scale
Mature plants produce exceptionally large, fragrant flowers that open at night.
Why you’ll love it: it quickly brings linear, tropical movement and reveals a completely different side of the cactus family.
In your spacePlacement & plant pairingsWhere it looks its best and which plants sit comfortably alongside it
Where it looks its best
Give it a very bright position protected from harsh midday sun and add a slim stake or small trellis early. It can trail from a high shelf, provided the stems are not sharply bent.
Plants that complement it
It sits well beside other epiphytic cacti and tropical climbers, but each plant should remain in its own pot because watering rhythms differ.
- Disocactus anguliger — flat zig-zag stems for a related yet distinct silhouette.
- Epiphyllum oxypetalum — larger flattened stems and nocturnal flowering.
- Hoya carnosa — waxy leaves and climbing movement in bright filtered light.
Care at a glance
Light
Abundant filtered light with gentle morning or late-afternoon sun.
Watering
Water when most of the mix has dried, rather than after prolonged total drought.
Climate
Warm, airy conditions with moderate humidity and protection below 10°C.
Pets
Not intended for chewing; small spines and firm stem edges can cause injury.
Selected for this plant
Substrate & feeding
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, watering, seasonal rhythm, substrate and feeding in detail
Light and position
Abundant filtered light with gentle morning or late-afternoon sun.
How to water
Water when most of the mix has dried, rather than after prolonged total drought.
Air and humidity
It tolerates more atmospheric humidity than desert cacti but still needs moving air. Do not enclose it in a wet terrarium or allow water to stagnate at the base.
Temperature and seasonal rhythm
Growth accelerates with warmth, long days and available moisture. In lower winter light, reduce watering without leaving the entire root ball bone-dry for weeks.
Substrate
Use a porous, organic yet fast-draining epiphyte mix that retains some moisture without compacting. Hoya Mix provides this balance better than an almost entirely mineral desert mix.
Feeding, repotting and handling
Feed lightly during active growth, only onto already moist roots and according to the label. With fresh Hoya Mix, wait until its initial nutrition period has passed before adding fertiliser.
Botanical identityIdentity & natural originAccepted name, cultivar history and the wild plant’s natural range
Accepted name: Selenicereus undatus
The accepted botanical name is Selenicereus undatus (Haw.) D.R.Hunt; Hylocereus undatus is a widely used synonym and remains the product’s trade name.
From Cereus to Selenicereus
Adrian Haworth described it as Cereus undatus in 1830. Later combinations placed it in Hylocereus and ultimately Selenicereus.
A Mesoamerican forest cactus
Its documented native range runs from Mexico to Honduras. It is a climbing epiphytic or hemiepiphytic cactus of forest habitats, not an open-desert species.
From natural habitat to care: Climbing over trees and rocks, where roots encounter organic debris and intermittent moisture, explains its need for both air and drainage without a desert cactus’s extreme dry cycle. In a pot it favours bright filtered light, support and watering when the mix is nearly dry.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific facts nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who wants to understand the structures behind the plant’s appearance
The ‘wings’ are stem ribs
Angled ribs increase photosynthetic surface area without producing ordinary leaves.
Aerial roots are functional
They form along stems, anchor to surfaces and can absorb water in a suitable microenvironment.
Flowering is nocturnal
Huge flowers open at night and are associated with nocturnal pollinators, although cultivated fruit set may require hand pollination.
Fruit develops from the ovary
Dragon fruit is a fleshy berry with numerous small black seeds; a young 5.5 cm plant is not yet of productive age.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers on support, filtered light, watering rhythm and the long-term prospect of flowers and fruit.
01Is it a desert cactus?
No. It is a climbing forest cactus, so it needs an airy mix but does not benefit from weeks of extreme drought during active growth.
02Does it need a support already?
A small stake or trellis helps young stems establish direction. Alternatively, let them trail without pressing against a hard edge.
03When should it be watered?
Water when most of the mix is dry and the pot feels light, but before stems noticeably lose firmness. Soak thoroughly and drain.
04Why are new stems very thin?
Very thin, weak growth often reflects insufficient light or lack of support. Increase light gradually and guide the new section.
05Will it produce dragon fruit indoors?
It needs a large mature plant, strong light, space, flowering and successful pollination. This is a long-term possibility, not an expected feature of the young product.
06Is it safe around children and pets?
Small spines and firm edges can injure. Keep the plant stable and away from traffic, and do not treat the ornamental plant or any fruit as food without safe identification.
Shop the look
Lovely apart. Irresistible together.
Choose your pairing
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Your selected lookPlant + pot €8,00 EUR
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📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.