Actinidia deliciosa, kiwi
1 / 4
Vines & Groundcovers

Actinidia deliciosa

kiwi

ActinidiaceaeSouthern China, Shaanxi to Yunnan

At a Glance

TypeVine
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Width6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 9
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Maintenancehigh

Overview

Actinidia deliciosa is a vigorous deciduous twining vine reaching 20–30 feet (6–9 m) or more in length when grown on a support structure. Leaves are broadly oval to heart-shaped, 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) long, dark green above with reddish-brown woolly hairs on the underside and on young stems and petioles. The vine has no tendrils, climbing entirely by twining its stems around supports. In May through June, white flowers 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across with prominent yellow stamens appear in small clusters on the current season's growth. The plant is dioecious: male and female flowers are on separate plants, and at least one male plant is required within 50 feet (15 m) of female plants for fruit production. Fruit is the familiar fuzzy brown kiwifruit, 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) long, with bright green flesh and small black seeds. Fruit ripens October through November, typically 3–5 years after planting. Annual pruning is essential for maintaining productive fruiting wood. Growth is fast once established — 6–10 feet (1.8–3 m) per season — and the vine can overwhelm lightweight supports. Requires a sturdy pergola, trellis, or arbor rated for significant weight. In the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades, the mild climate is well-suited to kiwi production.

Native Range

Native to southern China, from Shaanxi and Hunan provinces south to Yunnan. Found in humid forest edges, ravines, and river valleys at elevations from approximately 2,000 to 6,500 feet (600–2,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown as a fruiting vine on sturdy pergolas, arbors, or heavy wire trellis systems in home orchards and edible gardens. Requires a minimum of 2 plants (1 male, 1 female) for fruit production. The bold foliage also provides ornamental value as a large-scale summer screen. Suited to zones 7–9 in the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades where frosts are mild and summers are warm enough to ripen fruit.

How to Identify

Identified by large heart-shaped leaves with reddish-brown woolly hairs on the undersides and on young stems — giving the vine a distinctly fuzzy texture. The vine twines without tendrils. White flowers 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across with yellow stamens appear in May through June. Fruit is the recognizable oval brown fuzzy kiwi, 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) long. Distinguished from Actinidia kolomikta by larger leaves without white and pink variegation and much larger fruit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
yellow

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Blooms May through June, with white flowers 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) across produced in small clusters on the current season's lateral shoots. Flowers last 2–3 weeks. Male and female flowers are on separate plants; both must be present for fruit set. Fruit ripens October through November.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white with yellow stamens

Foliage Description

dark green above, pale with reddish-brown woolly hairs beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandsilt
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant one male vine for every 6–8 female vines within 50 feet (15 m) for reliable pollination; some self-fertile cultivars exist but produce heavier crops with cross-pollination. Provide a sturdy support structure rated for 200 or more pounds (90 kg). Water regularly during the growing season; consistent moisture produces larger fruit. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again in midsummer; excess nitrogen promotes vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production. Protect young shoots from late spring frosts, which kill new growth and reduce or eliminate the season's fruiting. In zones 7–9, the vine is reliably winter-hardy once established but late frost after bud break is a recurring risk.

Pruning

Annual pruning is essential for fruit production and size management. In winter (December through February), cut the previous season's lateral fruiting shoots back to 2–4 buds from the main framework. Remove crossing, dead, or exhausted canes entirely. In summer (July), shorten current-season laterals to 5–6 leaves beyond the last fruit to direct energy into fruit development. Without annual pruning, the vine becomes an unmanageable tangle with reduced fruiting. Fruit is produced on short laterals from the previous season's growth — avoid removing all year-old wood.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
wintersummer

Maintenance Level

high

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic