How to Grow Pitaya Indoors

Prepare your container for planting seeds. A pitaya plant can grow several feet tall, so the pot should be at least 12 inches deep and 24 inches in diameter. Put gravel or pebbles at the bottom of the pot for drainage, then fill the container three-fourths full with potting mix.

Place a few seeds in the center of the pot, spaced one inch apart. Cover them lightly with soil. Water the soil until it is moist to the touch. Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the pot to help the soil retain moisture, which promotes seed germination.

Place the plant in direct sunlight, ideally on a south-facing windowsill. Watch the seeds daily for sprouting. Remove the plastic wrap as soon as a seed sprouts, usually between 11 and 14 days.

Water the pitaya plant twice weekly, keeping soil damp. Make sure the seedlings get plentiful sunlight for optimal growth. Thin seedlings when they are three inches tall to only the healthiest-looking plant.

Fertilize the pitaya about a month after planting. During the first year, fertilize the pitaya every two months. Use a plant fertilizer containing 2-3% magnesium.

Insert a wooden or bamboo plant stake into the soil a few inches from the plant. When the plant is 6 inches tall, tie it loosely to the stake with cotton string. As the plant grows, continue to secure the plant to the stake for support. As the pitaya climbs, it can grow up to 20 feet tall and will eventually need to be transplanted outdoors.

Observe the plant at night after they begin producing nocturnal flowers. Watch for flowers to open, as these contain the pollen that allows the plant to bear fruit.

Ensure fruit production by planting two or three different pitaya varieties and transplanting them outdoors, and remember that pitayas can take three to seven years to produce fruit. Some types of pitaya need cross-pollination; all varieties can cross-pollinate with each other. Nocturnal animals, like moths and bats, will transfer the pollen between plants.