Dog Tail Cactus Vs Dragon Fruit (Key Differences)

Growing both dog tail cactus vs dragon fruit can be beneficial for gardeners with little or no experience.

It is best practice to have a hand full of the knowledge of these plants and their basic requirements respectively, so you don’t get them mixed up. After all, a game of choice shouldn’t have to be difficult.

This guide will provide you with everything you ought to know about the similarities and difference between dog tail cactus and dragon fruit.

Table of Contents

Dog Tail Cactus Overview

Common name:	Dog tail cactus
Botanical name:	Strophocactus testudo
Plant Type:	Perennial succulent
Size:	3 meters
Sun exposure:	Full sun to partial shade
Temperature requirment:	39°F to 80°F
Soil type:	Parts of sand, perlite, and gravel, and organic matter.
Soil pH:	Slightly acidic (3.5-4.4), neutral (6.6-7.3)
Humidity:	Maximum 50%
Bloom Time:	Summer
Flower color:	White
Hardiness zones:	7-11
Native area:	Tropical South America

Dog tail Cactus is an epiphytic plant, belonging to the polymorphic species. It can be identified through its long tail, and thin trailing stem in the shape of a dog’s tail, hence the name.

This plant can be said to be drought-tolerant because it requires less water than most plants.

Dog tail plants typically bloom around March to July depending on the time of planting. However, Due to its robust nature, the plant can thrive anywhere.

Growth Requirements For Dog Tail Cactus

Dog tail cactus would certainly do well as an indoor plant or outdoor plant. provided it is kept in good condition.

As an epiphytic plant, the dog tail cactus consumes the majority of its nutrients from the air directly, and so this makes it easy to care for even without your full attention.

Though it is drought tolerant it would require more moisture than any other plant during summer. It is important to note that overwatering could cause root rot if left in stagnant water.

The dog tail cactus plant also requires slow-release fertilizer in the soil as it derives its strength there.

Lastly, it is a sun-loving plant, so you need not worry about the sun.

Dragon Fruit Overview

Common name:	Dragon fruit, strawberry pear, fruit crop, the belle of the night
Botanical name:	Selenicereus undatus
Kingdom:	Plantae
Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Selenicereus
Sun exposure:	Partial sun
Soil type:	Cacti potting soil
Hardiness zones:	U.S.A 10-11
Native area:	Southern Mexico and Central America

Stories have it that dragon fruit came as a result of breathing dragons. The dragon fruit is characterized by bright red skin with green scales. Of all the varieties the most available has white pulp with black seeds.

Dragon fruit is not only easy to grow and provides attractive looks to the house; it has been proven to be health beneficial and can be consumed just the same way as kiwi fruit.

Below are the health benefits;

It contains antioxidants like flavonoids, phenolic that helps strengthen the immune system
It’s naturally fat-free and high in fiber making it a go-to option for weight loss.
It helps to lower blood sugar,
And it contains prebiotics that helps feed healthy bacteria in your system.

Dog tail grows on the Hylocereus cactus, also known as the Honolulu queen, so technically it is vine cactus, which is one thing it has in common with dog tail cactus.

Note: All cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti.

Growth Requirements For Dragon Fruit

This climbing cactus would require a container from about 250mm deep and 600mm wide. Use Sandy well-draining soil designed for cacti.

When grown from seeds it will germinate in three weeks or less.

Ensure to support your dragon fruit plant with a stake or trellis since it’s a good climber.

Dragon fruit loves a warm environment, it needs 6 to 8hours of full sun and can flower from six to eight months but may take years to produce fruit.