Vines

Actinidia kolomikta

same

Actinidiaceae

Russian Far East, northeastern China, Korea, Japan

At a Glance

TypeVine
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height12-20 feet (3.7-6 m)
Width6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Fragrant (light)
Maintenancelow

Overview

Actinidia kolomikta is a deciduous twining vine reaching 12–20 feet (3.7–6 m) in length, more slender and less vigorous than Actinidia deliciosa. Leaves are heart-shaped, 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) long, with smooth stems — lacking the woolly hairs of kiwifruit. The defining ornamental feature is the variegation on male plants: leaf tips and upper portions turn white then pink as the season progresses, producing a striking tricolor effect of green, white, and pink on a single leaf. Female plants produce little to no variegation. Variegation is most vivid in full sun; plants in shade develop greener, less colorful foliage. The plant is dioecious: both male and female plants are required for fruit production. In June, small fragrant white flowers 0.5–0.75 inch (1.2–2 cm) across appear in small axillary clusters. Fruit on female plants is small, smooth-skinned, and grape-sized — about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long — with sweet green flesh and thin edible skin, ripening September through October. The vine is notably cold-hardy, surviving winter temperatures to -30°F (-34°C) or below. The stems produce a compound that attracts cats in a manner similar to catnip; wire guards around young plants prevent damage from cat chewing and rubbing.

Native Range

Native to the Russian Far East, northeastern China, Korea, and Japan. Found in mixed deciduous forests and forest edges at elevations from 1,600 to 4,900 feet (500–1,500 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown as an ornamental foliage vine on trellises, fences, pergolas, and arbors where the variegated male foliage provides season-long interest. Cold-hardiness to zone 3 makes it one of the few ornamental vines suitable for northern landscapes where kiwifruit cannot be grown. Female plants produce edible small smooth-skinned fruit when paired with a male. Allow 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m) of horizontal trellis space at maturity.

How to Identify

Identified by heart-shaped leaves whose tips and upper portions develop white then pink variegation on male plants as the season progresses — producing green, white, and pink zones on a single leaf. Stems are smooth, not woolly. Small fragrant white flowers 0.5–0.75 inch (1.2–2 cm) appear in June. Fruit on female plants is small, smooth, and grape-sized with edible skin — entirely different from the large fuzzy kiwifruit of A. deliciosa. Female plants show little or no variegation.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height12' - 20'
Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green
white
pink

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Summer
Blooms June, with small fragrant white flowers 0.5–0.75 inch (1.2–2 cm) across in small axillary clusters. Flowers last 2–3 weeks. Male and female flowers are on separate plants; both are required for fruit production. Fruit ripens September through October on female plants.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white

Foliage Description

green on female plants; green, white, and pink variegated on male plants

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 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

Provide a sturdy trellis, fence, or arbor for support; the vine twines without tendrils. Water regularly during the first 1–2 growing seasons; established plants are moderately drought-tolerant. Variegation on male plants is most vivid in full sun — part-shade plants develop less colorful foliage. Protect young stems from cats, which are strongly attracted to the vine and can damage or kill young plants by chewing and rubbing; wire cages around the base provide effective protection until stems are established. Where both fruit and ornamental foliage are desired, plant at least one male and one female plant. Female plants produce fruit without the ornamental variegation of males.

Pruning

Prune during dormancy (December through February). Remove dead, crossing, or overcrowded stems. To maintain manageable size, cut back the longest stems by one-third to one-half annually. For fruit production on female plants, shorten lateral fruiting shoots to 4–6 buds from the main framework after leaf fall. The vine is less vigorous than A. deliciosa and requires less intensive annual pruning, but benefits from annual thinning to prevent tangling.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic