Dragon Fruit Cactus from Seed – Time Lapse Grow Guide

Dragon fruit cactus grown from seed in a pot

TL;DR – Dragon Fruit Cactus from Seed

You can grow a dragon fruit cactus from seed using seeds from a store-bought fruit.
Germinate the seeds on a paper towel or in soil, then pot them up in a warm, bright spot.
Use a well-draining cactus mix, water lightly and give at least 6–8 hours of light per day.
Growth is slow at first – dragon fruit cactus care is all about patience and consistency.
I filmed the whole process as a dragon fruit cactus time lapse; video is embedded below.

Dragon Fruit Cactus Time Lapse – From Seed to Spiky Jungle

If you’ve ever looked at a dragon fruit and thought, “Could I actually grow this at home?” – yes, you absolutely can. In this project I grew a dragon fruit cactus from seed and filmed the entire process as a dragon fruit cactus time lapse, from tiny black seeds to a serious little cactus jungle.

This guide walks you through the steps I used, shows the different growth stages in pictures, and shares the basic dragon fruit cactus care conditions that helped my plants thrive.

Step 1 – Collecting Dragon Fruit Seeds

First step: grab a ripe dragon fruit (pitaya). Cut it open and scoop out a spoonful of the juicy pulp filled with tiny black seeds.

Scooping dragon fruit seeds out of the fruit

Place the pulp in a small bowl of water and gently rub it between your fingers. The goal is to separate the seeds from the fruit flesh – the seeds will sink while most of the pulp floats away.

Step 2 – Soaking and Pre-Germinating the Seeds

After rinsing, I let the seeds soak in clean water for a short time. This helps hydrate them and washes off the last bits of fruit.

Dragon fruit seeds soaking in a glass of water

Next, you can either:

spread the seeds on a moist paper towel, cover them and wait for germination, or
sow them directly into a shallow tray filled with cactus soil.

Germinated dragon fruit seeds with tiny green sprouts

After some days the first tiny green sprouts appear – basically micro-cacti. They look harmless now, but give them a few months…

Step 3 – Planting Dragon Fruit Seedlings into Soil

Once the seedlings have a bit of size, it’s time to move them into real soil. I use a wide, shallow pot so I can grow a whole little dragon fruit forest together.

Planting dragon fruit seedlings into cactus soil

Gently press the seedlings into the surface of a well-draining cactus mix and cover the roots lightly. Keep the soil just barely moist – overwatering is the fastest way to kill them at this stage.

Step 4 – Watching the Baby Cactus Jungle Appear

After a few weeks, the tiny sprouts turn into miniature dragon fruit cacti. They start to thicken, form little ribs and grow new segments.

Young dragon fruit cactus seedlings growing close together

Give them time, warmth and light – and suddenly your seed tray looks less like a science experiment and more like a tiny alien landscape.

Larger dragon fruit cactus plant in a pot

Later you can thin them out and pot up the strongest plants individually, or keep the jungle look like I did in the timelapse.

Dragon Fruit Cactus Time Lapse (Video)

If you want to see the whole process compressed into a couple of minutes, here’s the full time lapse from seed to cactus jungle:

Essential Growing Conditions for Dragon Fruit Cactus

To keep your dragon fruit cactus happy long term, focus on four things: substrate, temperature, watering and light.

Substrate

Use a well-draining cactus mix. You can buy ready-made cactus soil or mix your own using:

1 part regular potting soil
1 part coarse sand
1 part perlite or small pumice

This keeps roots aerated and prevents water from sitting around and causing root rot.

Temperature

Dragon fruit cactus loves warmth. Ideal temperatures are around 65–85°F (18–29°C). Protect the plants from frost and cold drafts – they are tropical at heart.

Watering

Think “cactus with a slightly juicy personality” – not a swamp plant. Let the top layer of soil dry out before you water again.

Water thoroughly, then let excess water drain away.
In winter or cooler rooms, water less frequently.
If the stems wrinkle slightly, it’s asking for a drink.

Light

For strong, compact growth your dragon fruit cactus needs 6–8 hours of bright light each day. Outdoors, full sun to light shade works well. Indoors, use the sunniest window you have or add a small grow light.

FAQ – Growing Dragon Fruit Cactus from Seed

How long does it take until a dragon fruit cactus produces fruit?
From seed, it usually takes a few years (often 3–5) before the plant is big and mature enough to flower and fruit. This project is mainly for fun and learning – bonus points if you eventually get home-grown dragon fruit.

Can I grow dragon fruit cactus indoors?
Yes, as long as it gets enough light and warmth. A bright south-facing window or a grow light works great.

Is growing from seed better than using cuttings?
Cuttings are much faster. Growing dragon fruit from seed is for people who enjoy the slow journey (and like watching plant time lapses).

Glossary (Beginner Friendly)

Cactus mix: Special potting soil that drains quickly and is designed for succulents and cacti.
Root rot: A condition where roots die because they sit in waterlogged soil for too long.
Pitaya: Another name for dragon fruit; the plant itself is a climbing cactus.

External Resources for Dragon Fruit Cactus Care

If you want to dive even deeper into pitaya growing, these guides are helpful:

If You Liked This Dragon Fruit Project, You Might Also Enjoy:

Growing Tomatoes from Seed (with Time Lapse): Growing Tomatoes from Seed: A Journey from Seed to Harvest with Time-Lapse Magic

The Magical Journey of Growing Broccoli Indoors: The Magical Journey of Growing Broccoli: From Seed to Harvest Timelapse

Avocado Bonsai from Seed: Growing an Avocado Bonsai from Seed – 1 Year Time Lapse

Recommended Materials

If you want to create your own long-term plant timelapses, check out my complete Plant Time-Lapse Equipment Guide, where I share my camera setup, interval settings and lighting tips.
👉 https://blog.interesting-as-fck.com/plant-time-lapse-equipment-all-you-need/