How to Choose & Use a Fertilizer for Your Dragon Fruit

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Find the best fertilizers and other nutrients for your pitaya plant
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Also known as pitaya, dragon fruit plants are climbing cacti that grow in warm, humid areas and produce tasty fruit. These plants aren’t hard to care for, but they do require a specific fertilizer regimen. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about how to fertilize dragon fruit, including how to choose a fertilizer , how often to fertilize , how to apply the fertilizer , and more, with expert tips from plant specialists, gardeners, and professional chefs.

How do I fertilize dragon fruit?

Start off with a fertilizer that has a balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio, then switch to a 10-30-20 ratio once the plant is ready to bloom. Fertilize young plants every 2 months and older plants 3-4 times a year. Follow your fertilizer’s package instructions to apply it properly.

Section 1 of 8:

How to Choose a Dragon Fruit Fertilizer

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  1. “If you look on the front of a bag of fertilizer,” explains gardener Ben Barkan, “there are three numbers [that represent the NPK ratio]: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You’re going to want to look for something that has an equal amount of those three, like 10-10-10.” A “balanced” fertilizer means that these 3 numbers are the same, like 10-10-10. [1]
    • There isn’t a consistent, one-size-fits-all recommendation for fertilizer. However, many agree that some type of balanced fertilizer, like 16-16-16 or 13-13-13 , is a good choice for your dragon fruit. [2]
    • You can use fertilizer granules, or spread fertilizer through your irrigation system. [3] Slow-release fertilizer is also an option.
  2. 2
    Adjust to a 10-30-20 ratio at the blooming stage. While nitrogen is essential for growth, focus on including more phosphate when your plant is getting ready to flower. [4] Too much nitrogen can cause the plant to produce too much foliage, which may harm it. Phosphate helps with energy transfer that allows the plant to flower, while potassium regulates water and nutrient movement. A 10-30-20 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus to potassium helps ensure your dragon fruit will blossom beautifully.
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  3. 3
    Determine if you want organic or inorganic fertilizer. Both organic and inorganic fertilizers have their pros and cons. Organic options release nutrients slowly, are less likely to cause a burn, and aren’t likely to harm the microbes in your soil. However, they’re more expensive and often smellier than inorganic options. Inorganic fertilizers, on the other hand, are fast-acting, cheaper, and contain a lot of nutrients. They can burn your plant if you’re heavy-handed. Either will work for dragon fruit plants as long as they’re phosphorus-rich. [5]
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Section 2 of 8:

How do you apply the fertilizer?

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  1. If you only have a few plants, spread the fertilizer granules around them using your hands. Depending on your set-up, you may have an easier time applying the fertilizer through your irrigation system, especially if it’s a drip system . This efficiently and directly moves the fertilizer to the plant’s roots. [6]
  2. 2
    Spread manure along the base of the plant. If your plant is only a year old, don’t apply the manure around the stem. Once your dragon fruit is at least 2 years old, apply the manure around the base of the stem and plant. [7]
  3. 3
    Spray chelated iron or spread ferrous sulfate. If you need to make your soil more acidic, mix chelated iron with water according to the ratio listed on the container. Then, apply it to your plant using a hose-end sprayer or a backpack sprayer. If you want to make your soil more basic, spread ferrous sulfate along the bottom of the plant. [8]
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Section 3 of 8:

How often do you need to fertilize dragon fruit?

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  1. Apply both traditional fertilizer and manure or compost to your plant at the same time. Between March and September, apply chelated iron or ferrous sulfate 4-6 times total. Chelated iron helps make basic soil more acidic, while ferrous sulfate makes acidic soil more basic, so be sure to test your soil’s pH to decide which to use. [9]
  2. 2
    Nourish older plants with traditional fertilizer 3-4 times a year. Scale back the manure or compost, applying it twice a year. Between March and September, continue to fertilize your plants with chelated iron or ferrous sulfate 4-6 times each year. [10]
    • Remember to tweak your fertilizing routine once you see signs of budding. At this point, your plant will likely bloom better if you adjust your ratio to include more phosphate and less nitrogen.
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Section 4 of 8:

How much fertilizer do you need?

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  1. Dragon fruit plants don’t need that much fertilizer and manure, especially when first starting out. If you’re growing multiple fruit plants, you’ll need ¼ lb (118 g) of fertilizer and 4 lb (1.2 kg) of manure or compost for each one. [11]
  2. 2
    Apply extra fertilizer and manure as your plant matures. When your plant is 2-3 years old, add an extra 0.3-0.4 lb (136-182 g) of fertilizer. Similarly, nourish each dragon fruit plant with 6 lb (2.7 kg) of manure or compost during this timeframe. Once your dragon fruit is at least 4 years old, regularly apply ½ to ¾ lb (227-341 g) of fertilizer and 5 lb (2.2 kg) of manure. [12]
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Section 5 of 8:

What additional nutrients can you use?

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  1. Dragon fruits thrive in soil that’s slightly less than 7 pH. To help your plant grow as healthy and strong as it can, many recommend treating acidic soil with ferrous sulfate, and nourishing basic soil with chelated iron. [13]
    • Use a small amount of chelated iron or ferrous sulfate on 1-year-old plants. Spray 0.25 to 0.5 oz (7-15 g) of chelated iron over any basic soil, or scatter a small handful of ferrous sulfate over acidic soil. [14]
    • Apply extra chelated iron to plants that are 2 years or older. As your dragon fruit matures, treat the soil with 0.75-1 oz (22-29 g) of chelated iron, if needed. If your soil is more acidic, continue treating it with a small amount of ferrous sulfate. [15]
  2. 2
    Use organic fertilizer, like manure or compost, as a good nutrient source. Pick up decomposed manure at your local home improvement store, or make your own compost at home. Along with traditional fertilizer, both manure and compost are great sources of nutrients for your dragon fruit. Spread the manure or compost around the plant with your hands, applying it whenever you apply your normal fertilizer. The amount you need depends on how old the plant is. [16]
    • For young plants, plan to use about 4 lb (1.2 kg) of manure or compost.
    • For plants that are 2-3 years old, apply 6 lb (2.7 kg) of manure or compost.
    • For plants that are at least four years old, aim for 5 lb (2.2 kg) of manure or compost.
  3. 3
    Try adding coffee grounds to the soil. “Coffee grounds are a great form of organic matter that pretty much every plant will benefit from,” explains Barkan. “Apply the coffee grounds as a mulch around plants. As long as you’re being relatively moderate with your application, it’s generally always good for the soil.” Simply sprinkle a handful or so of coffee grounds on top of the soil. You want nothing more than a thin layer.
    • In general, the best way to use coffee grounds is to mix them into your compost pile so that they make up about 10-20% of the mixture. Then, sprinkle them sparingly on top of the soil. [17]
    • Or, create a liquid fertilizer by mixing a teaspoon of coffee grounds into a gallon of water. Let the mixture steep for a few nights, stirring occasionally, then strain the liquid through a cheesecloth. The remaining liquid can be used to water and fertilize your plants.
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Section 6 of 8:

How do I get my dragon fruit to flower?

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  1. Your dragon fruit plant may seem barren, even after months and months of regular TLC. Don’t worry—this is perfectly normal. If grown from a seed, dragon fruit can take up to 7 years to bear delicious fruit. Keep fertilizing and caring for the plant as you normally would. [18]
    • If you planted your dragon fruit from a cutting, it may take up to 3 years.
    • You can tell if a dragon fruit is ripe , personal chef Ed Kuoha explains, “when you hold it in your hand [and there’s] a firmness but still softness to it. It won’t be overly soft.”
    • To cut a dragon fruit , Kuoha says, “you could do it like a papaya where you cut off the tips, then cut it in half, and just scoop out of it to eat. Or, just cut off the top and the bottom, stand it up, then just cut little by little around the sides [so] all the peelings are gone.”
Section 7 of 8:

Troubleshooting Blooming Issues

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  1. 1
    Watch for signs of over-fertilization. While fertilizer can help your dragon fruit bloom more brightly, it can also damage your plant if you use too much or if your ratio is off. For example, if your fertilizer contained too much nitrogen, your plant may grow lots of green leaves but no blooms. If you included too many other nutrients, you may notice signs like droopy leaves, discoloration, or a crusty white residue on the soil’s surface. This is a good indication you should ease up on the fertilizer. [19]
    EXPERT TIP

    Lindsey Swett

    Plant Specialist
    Lindsey Swett is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Niche Plant Shop in Boston, Massachusetts. She has over a decade of experience working in several plant settings, including golf courses, public parks, and commercial garden centers. Her focus now is on helping plant owners care for their indoor plants. Lindsey holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from The University of Michigan.
    Lindsey Swett
    Plant Specialist

    Repot an over-fertilized plant. Take it out of that soil, put it in fresh soil, and make sure it’s got enough sunlight. Be very gentle and continue to observe it. Wait and see what symptoms become visible, then treat the symptoms.

  2. 2
    Perform periodic soil testing. If you’re having trouble determining the best fertilizer ratio and schedule, do regular soil testing to assess its nutrient levels, pH, and organic matter content. This will help you determine if you need to change to improve soil and plant health. Purchase a soil test kit and follow the instructions on the package. [20]
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Section 8 of 8:

Best Fertilizer for Dragon Fruit

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  1. Choose a popular dragon fruit fertilizer if you’re not sure where to start. Some gardeners prefer to create their own combination of fertilizer, but you may not know what to do if you’re new to gardening. Instead, opt for popular commercial fertilizers many gardeners swear by. Here are some options:

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      References

      1. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-calculate-a-fertilizer-ratio
      2. ↑ https://www.cifor-icraf.org/publications/downloads/Publications/PDFS/BC07324.pdf
      3. ↑ https://dpir.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/232933/778.pdf
      4. ↑ https://dpir.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/232933/778.pdf
      5. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/heres-scoop-chemical-organic-fertilizers
      6. ↑ https://dpir.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/232933/778.pdf
      7. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      8. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      9. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      1. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      2. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      3. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      4. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      5. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      6. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      7. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/hs/hs30300.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.growveg.com/guides/a-common-sense-guide-to-using-coffee-grounds-in-the-garden/
      9. ↑ https://www.bhg.com.au/growing-dragon-fruit
      10. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/over-fertilization-of-potted-plants
      11. ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/a-gardeners-guide-to-soil-testing

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