Meet the dragon with a dark side. Dark Star Dragon Fruit combines sculptural cactus growth, vivid red-to-magenta flesh and spectacular flowers that open after dark. It is the kind of edible plant that becomes a conversation piece long before harvest.
View Dark Star Dragon Fruit at Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery.
Why Dark Star stands out
Daleys describes Dark Star as producing medium-to-large fruit with red flesh and a mild, sweet, grape-like flavour. The fruit is especially refreshing when chilled and eaten fresh. Its long, narrow bracts give the fruit its dramatic appearance, while elaborate white flowers bloom at night.
Three useful growing facts
- Time to fruit: approximately 2–3 years under good conditions.
- Climate: best suited to tropical and subtropical conditions; the Daleys listing recommends temperatures above 5°C.
- Small-space potential: suitable for pots and able to be pruned to around 2 metres, although its listed in-ground height is 2–5 metres.
Give it the right support
Dragon fruit is a climbing, vine-like cactus with aerial roots. A strong upright frame allows mature stems to hang over the top, encouraging a practical shape for flowering and harvest. The Northern Territory Government recommends free-draining soil, some protection from excessive light and careful watering while cuttings establish. Daleys lists Dark Star for part sun and soil with excellent to good drainage.
A flower worth staying up for
Pitaya flowers are large, white and perfumed. They open in the evening and finish the following morning, making each bloom a short-lived garden event. This is one edible climber that earns its place for spectacle as well as fruit.
Ready to grow something extraordinary? Check current availability and choose your Dark Star Dragon Fruit plant here.
Watch Dark Star Dragon Fruit
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