Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) | seeds, 20 pcs.

• Latin name: Hylocereus costaricensis (accepted name: Selenicereus costaricensis)
• Danish names: Rød dragefrugt, rød pitahaya
• English names: Red dragon fruit, red-fleshed dragon fruit, red pitaya

Hylocereus costaricensis is a tropical, climbing cactus grown primarily for its spectacular dragon fruits with vibrant red to purple flesh. The combination of the intense color, the small black seeds, and the pink to red skin makes the fruit one of the most eye-catching types of pitahaya.

The species is native to Central America and is particularly associated with Costa Rica and the surrounding regions. There, it grows in warm conditions as a climbing or partially epiphytic cactus that uses trees, rocks, and other vegetation as support. The long, triangular stems can form aerial roots and eventually develop into large, vigorous plants.

Like other dragon fruit cacti, Hylocereus costaricensis develops very large white flowers. They typically open in the evening and at night and are only open for a short time. The flowering is an impressive sight in itself, and after successful pollination, the plant can develop the characteristic red-fleshed dragon fruits.

A dragon fruit with intense red flesh

It is especially the flesh that makes Hylocereus costaricensis interesting. Where the classic dragon fruit from Hylocereus undatus has white flesh with black seeds, H. costaricensis develops fruits with a striking red to deep purple color inside.

The two species have a similar climbing growth habit and can be difficult to distinguish from one another when the plants are young. When they set fruit, however, the difference becomes very clear. H. costaricensis is therefore particularly interesting for those who want a more unusual and colorful dragon fruit.

As a third variety, one can grow Hylocereus megalanthus, which produces the so-called yellow pitahaya. It has yellow skin and light-colored flesh and differs clearly from both the white-fleshed and the red-fleshed dragon fruit.

By growing the three species together, you can therefore obtain an exciting collection of dragon fruits: H. undatus with white flesh, H. costaricensis with red to purple flesh, and H. megalanthus with its characteristic yellow skin.

Cultivation and requirements

Hylocereus costaricensis is a relatively fast-growing cactus that thrives best in bright and warm conditions. It prefers:

• Very bright light and preferably several hours of sun
• An airy and well-drained soil
• Regular watering during the active growing season
• Warm temperatures
• A sturdy support for the plant to climb

Although Hylocereus costaricensis is a cactus, it should not be grown exactly like a classic desert cactus. The species is adapted to a warmer and more humid environment and appreciates regular watering when in active growth. However, the soil should always be well-drained so that the roots are not constantly wet.

A good cactus and succulent soil is suitable for cultivation. During the growing season, the plant can also benefit from our organic long-term cactus fertilizer to support its vigorous growth.

As the plant grows larger, it is advantageous to give it a stable support. Dragon fruit cacti are often grown up a pole or trellis, from which the long shoots can later hang down. This gives the plant a more natural growth habit and can also make a large plant easier to handle.

In Denmark, Hylocereus costaricensis is best grown as a potted plant in a greenhouse or conservatory. In summer, the plant can be placed outdoors in a warm, sunny, and sheltered spot. The species does not tolerate a Danish winter and must be brought inside and overwintered frost-free.

Cultivation from seeds

Hylocereus costaricensis can be grown from seeds and is an exciting species to follow from the small seedlings all the way to large, climbing cactus plants.

• Sow the seeds superficially in fine and well-drained seed soil
• Cover the seeds only very lightly or leave them on the soil surface
• Maintain a temperature of around 22–28 °C
• Keep the soil evenly slightly moist during germination
• Place the sowing in a bright spot, but protect the very young sprouts from strong direct sun

Under warm and humid conditions, the seeds can germinate relatively quickly. The newly sprouted plants are very small and do not initially look like the large, triangular dragon fruit cacti they will eventually develop into.

As the seedlings grow, they can gradually be accustomed to more light. Once the root system and stems have become larger, the plants can be repotted into a coarser and more well-drained cactus soil.

Plants grown from seeds need time to reach sufficient size for flowering and fruit production. In return, seed propagation allows you to follow the entire development from a tiny seed to a large tropical fruit cactus.

Utility and collector value

Hylocereus costaricensis is interesting as an exotic fruit plant, ornamental plant, and collector's cactus alike. The long, climbing stems give the plant a different look than traditional cacti, while the enormous night-blooming flowers make a mature plant highly decorative.

The biggest attraction, however, is the red-fleshed dragon fruits. The intensely colored flesh makes the species an exciting contrast to the better-known Hylocereus undatus, and together with the yellow Hylocereus megalanthus, it shows how much variation exists among the plants we collectively know as dragon fruit or pitahaya.

Hylocereus costaricensis is therefore an obvious choice for those who want to grow a slightly more unusual dragon fruit from seed – and not least for the collector who wants several different types of pitahaya side by side.

- Can sometimes also be purchased as a plant here