Pitahaya (Hylocereus/Selenicereus spp.) is expanding in the Philippines as a diversification option under increasing heat and rainfall variability, yet its environmental, economic, social and biosecurity implications remain fragmented. Methods: A structured narrative review of Web of Science and Scopus (2010-2025; English) was conducted using transparent title, abstract and fulltext screening. Studies were classified by type and by transferability score (high, medium, conditional/low), summarised in evidence-transferability matrices. Results: Studies indicate red pitahaya grows best at 25–30 °C, 600–1300 mm annual rainfall, and under drip irrigation with mulches, but yields drop with waterlogging, heat above 35 °C, or salinity. In humid lowlands, disease (e.g. Neoscytalidium stem canker) often limits production, so clean planting material, ventilated trellising and canopy sanitation are important. Prices are shaped by Vietnam–China trade; in the Philippines, better postharvest practices and coordinated marketing can extend storage from 4 to 6 weeks and reduce rejections. As a non-native crop, pitahaya requires safeguards on planting material, nurseries, and site selection. Conclusions: With clean-plant governance, qualityfirst postharvest and producer coordination, pitahaya offers conditional, context-dependent climate adaptation. Targeted pilots and new Philippine data on life-cycle performance, employment, and biodiversity are priorities to guide responsible scale-up.
pitahaya; climate adaptation; biosecurity; socio-economic impacts; agricultural diversification; Philippines