Dragon Fruit Growing Guide
Enjoy a slice of paradise wherever you are by growing your own dragon fruit. Famed for its fluorescent pink flesh and scale-like shell, this fruit is refreshing and slightly sweet. Often eaten raw, dragon fruit can be sliced into segments and makes a delicious smoothie. It's packed full of nutrients and a variety of antioxidants.
Introduction
Enjoy a slice of paradise wherever you are by growing your own dragon fruit. Famed for its fluorescent pink flesh and scale-like shell, this fruit is refreshing and slightly sweet. Often eaten raw, dragon fruit can be sliced into segments and makes a delicious smoothie. It's packed full of nutrients and a variety of antioxidants.
The question is, can you grow dragon fruit in the UK? And if so, how? Let's look at this in our dragon fruit growing guide.
Where can dragon fruit grow?
Native to Southern Mexico and Central America, the dragon fruit is accustomed to a hot climate. The fruit is commonly found in Thailand and Bali; however, they are now grown all over the world thanks to advances in gardening and agriculture.
Can you grow dragon fruit in the UK?
Yes, you can absolutely grow dragon fruit in the UK. For a dragon fruit plant to thrive, it needs four essential things:
1. A warm environment to mimic its ideal climate - Inside a polytunnel is ideal, although even inside the home can work too. Temperatures of 20-30°C are the sweet spot in your home. Make sure the plant is protected from drafts.
2. Slightly acidic soil - A pH around 6.0 to 7.0 will work perfectly, and the soil must have great drainage.
3. Sunlight - Like all plants, the dragon fruit needs sunlight to grow. Between 6-8 hours of bright sunshine will create the best results.
4. Something to climb on - A dragon fruit plant is a climbing cactus, so something to encourage upwards growth like a frame or trellis will help it perform at its best.
Whilst the UK's weather conditions aren't ideal, with careful planning and preparation and the right equipment, dragon fruits can grow in the UK.
How to grow a dragon fruit plant from seed
1. Take some flesh from the inside of a ripe dragon fruit and squash it onto a paper towel.
2. Keep it in a warm place away from direct sunlight.
3. Seedlings should sprout in 2-3 weeks and can be planted in slightly acidic, free-draining soil.
4. If growing in a polytunnel, position it to get ample sunlight, away from shady spots.
5. Ensure the temperature of the growing environment is between 21-38°C. If needed, you can heat your polytunnel with bubble wrap insulation, polythene cloche or a traditional heater.
6. Water the plant sparingly. As a cactus, your dragon fruit plant will hold onto a lot of water naturally. Once a week should suffice in the warmer months.
Be aware that growing a dragon fruit plant from seed will mean a long wait for fruit to grow, potentially up to seven years! If you're propagating dragon fruit plants, a quicker crop will come from taking cuttings.
How to grow dragon fruit cuttings
1. Cut a branch from an existing dragon fruit plant. You'll need a piece around 10 inches long, so only take cuttings from mature plants. A longer piece can be propagated into two or three new plants.
2. Note where the top of each new stem is (planting it upside down will be a waste of time!) and then leave the cuttings in a cool, dry and shaded spot for around a week to cure.
3. Once the edges of the cuttings have turned white, they're ready to plant. Place them an inch or two into the right soil mix and mist it regularly.
4. You should start to see new growth in around a month, where the care tips above will take over!
How long does dragon fruit take to grow?
Dragon fruit plants aren't for those who lack patience. It can take as long as 3-4 years before they begin producing fruit, and even longer if you're starting from the very start and growing from seed.
However, each plant can provide between 45-100 fruits per wave, and each plant has three waves per year. So, if you can stick out the wait, it'll be worth it!
Is dragon fruit good for you?
Yes, dragon fruit is good for you. They contain nutrients that have various health benefits, such as:
- Reducing inflammation: The antioxidants within the fruit prevent cell damage.
- Promoting good gut health: Dragon fruit contains prebiotics to help balance the good bacteria in the gut.
- Enzyme regeneration: High levels of magnesium in dragon fruit can boost key functions such as making proteins and controlling blood sugar levels.
Grow dragon fruit in the UK with Premier Polytunnels
As a family-run business with over 35 years of experience, you can trust our polytunnels to protect your dragon fruit plants from pests and promote their desired growing conditions. We prioritise quality and innovation, continuously striving to create the best growing environment.
Premier Polytunnels are the only polytunnels on the market to have a 5-layer thermal anti drip polyethene cover – making them ideal to keep your dragon fruits warm and dry. Chosen by the likes of BBC and The Royal Parks, our polytunnels are made by experts, for the experts.
Have a question about set-up? Our dedicated Construction Helpline is available 7 days a week until 9pm to talk you through building your polytunnel. Alternatively, check out our construction advice and FAQ pages for detailed tips and guidance.
Available with accessories such as netting, polythene film, ground cover and adhesive tape, Premier Polytunnels are designed to meet your every need.
If you'd like to discover which polytunnel is right for you, feel free to contact our friendly team for advice on 01282 811250 or info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk.
