Title image above is copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

First published 1st December 2025

Dragon Fruit Dark Star Selenicereus guatemalensis × Selenicereus undatus Rooted Cutting

Dragon Fruit ‘Dark Star’ (Selenicereus guatemalensis × Selenicereus undatus) Rooted Cutting

Family: Cactaceae (the cactus family)
Genus: Selenicereus (includes several dragon fruit species)

Botanical/Binomial Name: Selenicereus guatemalensis × Selenicereus undatus
Meaning of Name:
Selenicereus, from Ancient Greek Σελήνη (Selḗnē, the Greek moon goddess) + Latin cereus (‘wax taper’, ‘torch’, ‘candle’, also a name used for upright cacti): night-flowering cactus; and
guatemalensis, from Latin guatemalēnsis (‘Guatemalan’); and
undatus, from Latin undātus (‘wavy’, ‘wave-like’)

Common Names: Dragon Fruit, Strawberry Pear, Pitaya

Botanical Characteristics: Succulent | Perennial | Evergreen | Frost tender
Propagation: Cuttings | Layering

Item Description:
With many thanks to Günter for these pieces! The cuttings are about 70 mm wide by about 400-500 mm tall.

Plant Description:
Dragon fruit comes from any of several species of climbing cactus.

The ‘Dark Star’ cultivar looks very similar to ‘Purple Haze’, a fruit with red skin and vivid purple flesh. Both are by the same breeder Paul Thomson and both are hybrids of Selenicereus guatemalensis (red skin, purple flesh) and Selenicereus undatus (red skin, white flesh).

Please note that the photo of the cut fruit is actually ‘Purple Haze’ as I don’t have one of ‘Dark Star’. ‘Dark Star’ is a smaller fruit up to 600 g.

The flowers open at night and require cross-pollination with another type to set fruit. Bats and moths are the pollinators.

‘Dark Star’ fruit is very sweet and described as having a mild grape taste.

Growing Information:
Dragon fruit cacti are grown in well-draining, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. They are natural climbers via aerial roots, and growth is encouraged up a thick pole or similar support of about 1-1.5 m in height. Once they reach the top they will naturally arch out and down towards the ground under their own weight.

The flowers and fruit form on these unsupported lengths, in reach for an easy harvest.