Types

• There are three main types of dragon fruit: hylocereus undatus, hylocereus polyrhizus and selenicereus megalanthus.
  
  Hylocereus undatus and hylocereus polyrhizus have thick red skins with green tips. They differ, however, in the color of their flesh. The flesh of hylocereus undatus is white, and the flesh of hylocereus polyrhizus is a rich magenta.
  
  Selenicereus megalanthus has a yellow skin and white flesh.
  
  

Nutritional Benefits

• Dragon fruit are chockablock with nutrients and antioxidants. In addition to their high vitamin C content, dragon fruit are full of dietary fiber. Other nutrients include phosphorus, iron, and vitamins B1, B2 and B3, while the black seeds of dragon fruit contain healthy, monounsaturated fats and protein.
  
  Because of these nutrients, dragon fruit, studies have shown, help to regulate blood sugar levels associated with Type 2 diabetes.
  
  An extra perk of magenta-fleshed dragon fruit is lycopene, an antioxidant that fights cancer and heart disease. Lycopene may also help combat high blood pressure.
  
  

Cultivation Areas

• Dragon fruit are native to Central and South America but have since spread to other regions. Flourishing in USDA zones 10 and 11, they are now common in Southeast Asia and have become Vietnam's No. 1 fruit export.
  
  In the United States, dragon fruit grow in Southern California, Arizona, Texas and Florida.
  
  

Cultivation Challenges

• Finicky blooming poses one challenge to cultivating dragon fruit. The pitaya cactus blooms only at night, sometimes as little as three times a year. For that reason, dragon fruit require night pollinators like moths or bats, or a grower may have to attempt pollination by hand.
  
  Another challenge is overwatering. The pitaya plant, which is drought resistant, requires regular watering, but overwatering may rot the fruit.
  
  

Vendors

• Although growers commonly export dragon fruit to the U.K. and Canada, dragon fruit can be hard to find in the United States. Asian markets and open markets, however, may carry the fruit, as well as Trader Joe's food stores. Because of its business with Southeast Asia, Trader Joe's may stock dried dragon fruit or, upon request, order the fruit fresh. Another possibility is Whole Foods Markets.