Kiwi

Plant Overview

Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) is listed in the Actinidiaceae family and categorized as a fruit with a perennial vine life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.

Plant ID

PLT-0114

Family

Actinidiaceae

Plant type

Fruit

Life cycle

Perennial vine

Growth habit

Vigorous deciduous woody vine that climbs by twining shoots and requires a strong trellis or arbor

Mature height

Commonly trained 6-8 feet high on a support, while vines can extend 15-30 feet or more along a trellis

Mature spread

Commonly 10-20 feet or more along the support system, depending on training and pruning

Difficulty

Moderate

Growing Conditions

Kiwi is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate to high; maintain consistent moisture during active growth and fruit development while avoiding saturated soil. The database soil reference is Deep, fertile, well-drained loam with high organic matter and consistent moisture. The listed soil pH range is 5.5-6.5, and the listed hardiness range is 7-9.

Hardiness zones

7-9

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Deep, fertile, well-drained loam with high organic matter and consistent moisture

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Water needs

Moderate to high; maintain consistent moisture during active growth and fruit development while avoiding saturated soil

Plant spacing

Allow roughly 10-15 feet between vines in a trellised planting, with male pollinizers positioned to serve nearby female vines

Seed & Germination

For propagation, the database note is kiwi seeds can germinate after a period of moist cold stratification followed by warm growing conditions, but named cultivars are normally propagated vegetatively. Planting-depth guidance: For seed propagation, sow stratified kiwi seed shallowly on or just beneath the surface of a moist, well-drained medium. Maturity guidance: Vegetatively propagated kiwifruit vines commonly require several years to begin meaningful fruit production, with yields increasing as the trained framework matures. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Kiwi seeds can germinate after a period of moist cold stratification followed by warm growing conditions, but named cultivars are normally propagated vegetatively

Germination temperature

After cold stratification, kiwi seed germination is favored by mild to warm conditions, generally around 65-75°F, with steady moisture

Seed depth

For seed propagation, sow stratified kiwi seed shallowly on or just beneath the surface of a moist, well-drained medium

Sowing method

Seed may be used for breeding or seedling production, while named fruiting cultivars are usually established from rooted cuttings, grafted plants, or other vegetative nursery stock

Start indoors

Stratified kiwi seeds can be started indoors, but named male and female cultivars are more commonly established from nursery-grown vegetative plants

Transplanting

Plant dormant or container-grown vines with roots protected from drying, set them at approximately their previous growing depth, and provide a strong permanent support soon after planting

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Vegetatively propagated kiwifruit vines commonly require several years to begin meaningful fruit production, with yields increasing as the trained framework matures

Harvest

Harvest when fruit has reached full size and physiological maturity; kiwifruit is often picked firm and allowed to soften after harvest

Propagation

Named cultivars are commonly propagated by cuttings, grafting, or budding so plant sex and cultivar identity are preserved

Seed saving

Seeds can be collected from fully ripe kiwifruit, cleaned of pulp, and stored cool and dry, but seedlings are genetically variable and their sex cannot be predicted from the seed

Pollination

Most kiwifruit vines are dioecious, with separate male and female plants; a compatible male flowering at the same time is usually required to pollinate female vines, primarily through bees

Garden Information

Common pests

Scale insects, mites, thrips, leafrollers, root-knot nematodes, and other sap-feeding or foliage-feeding pests

Common diseases

Bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, Phytophthora root and crown rot, Botrytis fruit rot, and other fungal diseases

Uses

Fresh fruit, fruit salads, smoothies, desserts, preserves, sauces, dried fruit, and trellised edible landscapes