A couple of years ago, a friend gave us a cutting from their dragon fruit plant.

We planted it in our yard, not knowing much about it other than the fact that it would eventually grow dragon fruit.

As the plant grew, so did our curiosity.

The more we learned, the more we realized there was a fascinating story climbing quietly along our fence.

A cactus that doesn’t quite look like one

One of the first surprises?

Dragon fruit belongs to the cactus family.

Instead of the round, spiny cactus many of us picture, this one grows long, climbing stems that happily stretch over trellises and fences.

The flower that only blooms for a night

Before the fruit appears, the plant produces spectacular white flowers that can be as big as a dinner plate (14”/35cm)!

They bloom after sunset and usually fade by the following morning, earning them the nickname “Queen of the Night.”

We’ve been hoping to catch ours in bloom one evening. It feels like one of those moments that’s worth staying up for.

From Americas to Hawaii

Although dragon fruit has become a familiar sight across Hawaiʻi, it actually originated in Central and South America.

With our warm climate and sunny days, it has found a happy home here, and many local farms now grow several different varieties.

Why is it called dragon fruit?

The bright pink skin is covered in leafy scales that resemble the scales of a dragon.

Cut one open and you’ll find white, red, or deep purple flesh sprinkled with tiny black seeds.

It’s one of those fruits that’s just as beautiful inside as it is outside.

Recently, we’ve been wondering what beautiful colors the vibrant pink skin might create through kusakizome (Japanese botanical dyeing).

We haven’t tried it yet, but it’s an experiment we’re looking forward to sharing. If it works, this little plant growing in our yard may one day become part of a future piece!

We love when curiosity leads to creativity.

Thanks for exploring with us.

🍃 We’ll keep discovering. See you in the next Field Notes.

Sources

• University of Hawaiʻi CTAHR – Dragon Fruit (Pitaya): https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/
• Royal Horticultural Society – Dragon Fruit Growing Guide: https://www.rhs.org.uk/