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Dragon Fruit - Red (Hylocereus costaricensis) 1G

$30.00
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Magenta-skinned fruit with sweet purple flesh — tropical beauty & flavor in your garden.
In stock: 10 available
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Dragon Fruit - Red (Hylocereus costaricensis) 1G
Product Details

🌱 Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) – Exotic Beauty & Tropical Sweetness! šŸ‡āœØ

Bring home one of the world’s most stunning fruits! With its vivid magenta skin, dark pink-purple flesh, and refreshing flavor, the Red Dragon Fruit is both a culinary treasure and a breathtaking ornamental plant for your garden or patio.


🌿 Quick Facts

Category Details
Botanical Name Hylocereus costaricensis
Plant Type Tropical climbing cactus, fruiting vine
Size at Sale Ships in 1-gallon pot
Mature Height & Width 15–20 ft with support, can be pruned smaller
USDA Zones 9–11 (warm subtropical/tropical regions)
Sun Requirements Full sun preferred; tolerates part shade
Cold Hardiness Sensitive below 32°F – protect from frost
Growth Habit Sprawling, climbing vine with segmented succulent stems
Spacing 8–12 ft apart if planting multiple

šŸˆ Fruit Details

  • Flavor Profile: Sweet, refreshing, and mildly tropical with subtle berry notes.
  • Texture: Juicy, soft, and succulent – similar to kiwi or melon.
  • Skin & Flesh: Magenta-red outer rind; dark pink to purple inner flesh studded with edible black seeds.
  • Fruit Size: Typically 1–2 lbs per fruit.
  • Harvest Season:
    • Florida: Summer through early fall (multiple flushes possible).
    • Other Regions: Varies with climate but generally summer-fall.
  • Fruiting Habits: Flowers open at night (pollinator dependent). Self-fertile strains exist, but cross-pollination often boosts yields. Avoid water stress during flowering to maximize fruit set.

🌱 Top Benefits & Uses

  • Culinary Star: Perfect for smoothies, fruit bowls, salads, jams, desserts, and even cocktails.
  • Health Benefits: Rich in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and natural prebiotics to support digestion and immunity.
  • Cultural Roots: Revered in Central America for centuries; in Mayan and Aztec tradition, dragon fruit was a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
  • Wildlife Friendly: Night-blooming flowers attract moths, bats, and pollinators.
  • Industry Use: Fruit pulp and extracts are popular in skincare products for their anti-aging antioxidant benefits.
  • Ornamental Appeal: Its sculptural cactus-like stems and night-blooming flowers are truly garden show-stoppers.

🌼 Ornamental & Container Gardening Notes

  • In the Garden: Train along trellises, fences, or posts for a dramatic display.
  • Container Growing: Thrives in large pots (minimum 15–20 gallons as it matures). Use cactus mix or sandy loam soil.
  • Indoor Care: Can be grown in bright sunrooms or greenhouses; requires ample light and occasional hand-pollination indoors.
  • Visual Appeal: Wide, flat, segmented stems with triangular edges, producing enormous, fragrant white blooms before fruiting.

🌿 Best Practices for Planting & Care

Where to Plant:

  • Choose a sunny, well-drained location.
  • Ideal in sandy or loamy soils with slight acidity.

Planting Tips:

  • Dig hole only slightly wider than container and plant at the same depth.
  • Backfill with compost + native soil.
  • Follow GreenDreams’ ā€œHigh & Tightā€ planting method: keep root flare above soil line.
  • For video guidance, visit our planting guide on YouTube.

Support Structures:

  • Provide a sturdy trellis, post, or fence for climbing growth.

Watering:

  • Water daily to establish.
  • Once established, water weekly. Increase in dry spells.

Mulching:

  • Mulch with hardwood chips for moisture retention, keeping mulch away from the base.

Florida Winter Maintenance:

  • Cover with frost cloth if temps dip near freezing.
  • Prune lightly after fruiting season to manage shape and encourage airflow.

āš ļø Cautions

  • Cold Sensitivity: Protect from frost below 32°F.
  • Pollination Needs: Some varieties need cross-pollination – consider planting two or hand-pollinating flowers.
  • Thorns: While not heavily spined, the stems have small bristles that can irritate skin. Handle with care.

🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?

āœ… Ideal For:

  • Tropical fruit collectors
  • Health-conscious gardeners
  • Permaculture enthusiasts & food forest growers
  • Patio or greenhouse gardeners with sunny space

āŒ Not Ideal For:

  • Gardeners in USDA zones below 9 without frost protection
  • Those unable to provide trellising or vertical support

ā“ FAQ

Q: How long until my Red Dragon Fruit produces fruit?

A: Typically 1–2 years from planting in warm climates with proper care.

Q: Can I grow dragon fruit in a pot?

A: Yes! A 15–20 gallon container with cactus soil and sturdy support works well.

Q: Is Red Dragon Fruit self-pollinating?

A: Some strains are, but cross-pollination often improves yields.

Q: How cold-hardy is it?

A: Sensitive below 32°F – protect from frost or grow indoors in colder regions.

Q: What are the best companion plants?

A: Other tropical edibles like bananas, papayas, or nitrogen-fixing support trees.


šŸ“¦ Shipping & Handling Notes

  • Ships in a 1-gallon container.
  • Best suited for Florida, the Southeast, & Texas.
  • Shipping nationwide, but northern and western states may experience transit stress. Plants may need extra recovery upon arrival.
  • Extreme Weather Disclaimer: Buyer discretion advised during peak heat/cold.
  • We ship every Monday via UPS Ground from Florida.

šŸ“ Local Pickup

Available for local pickup at:

GreenDreams Nursery & Farm

18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610

Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM

🌿 Come hand-select your plants & explore our food forest!


šŸ›’ Order Yours Today!

Bring tropical beauty & delicious nutrition to your home garden — order your Red Dragon Fruit plant today and start growing your own exotic harvest!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.

Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location
, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
 

1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
 

2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.

  • For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.

  • For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
     

3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.

  • We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.

  • Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
     

For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.

 

🌿 Important Shipping Information

Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.

  • Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.

  • Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.

  • Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.

  • Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better

 

 

 

Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants

​

1. Understanding of Shipping Stress

By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.

2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage

Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.

3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations

Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.

4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule

Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.

5.Extreme Weather Conditions

Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.

6. No Refund Policy

Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.

7. Responsibility of Care

Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.

8. Consent

By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.

These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.

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GreenDreams Sustainable Solutions, Inc.
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Shop Our Retail Nursery Location: Open to the Public!
TUES - FRI 9 AM - 5 PM / SAT 8 AM - 3 PM

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