How to Grow Kiwi: Hardy Kiwi, Fuzzy Kiwi and the Right Kiwi Trellis
How to grow kiwi at home: choosing between hardy kiwi and fuzzy kiwifruit, why you need male and female kiwi plants, how to build a sturdy kiwi trellis or pergola, pruning, harvest, and the truth about growing kiwi from seed.
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A kiwi vine trained over a pergola is one of the most rewarding things you can grow: lush shade over a patio in summer and baskets of fruit in fall. Kiwi vines are long-lived and productive, but they are not a quick or casual crop. They need the right species for your climate, a male and a female plant, a very strong support and yearly pruning.
This guide explains how to grow kiwi step by step. You will learn the difference between hardy kiwi and fuzzy kiwifruit, why male and female kiwi plants matter, how to build a kiwi trellis that can carry a mature vine, how to prune and feed, when to harvest, and why growing kiwi from seed is rarely the best choice.
Hardy Kiwi vs. Fuzzy Kiwi: Which One Can You Grow?
The first step in learning how to grow kiwi is choosing the right species. Oregon State describes three types for home gardens:
| Fuzzy kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) | Hardy kiwi / kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) | Arctic kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | Large, brown and fuzzy, like supermarket kiwi | Grape-sized, smooth skin, eaten whole | Small, smooth skin |
| Zones (Oregon State) | 7 to 9 | 4 or 5 to 9 | 3 to 9 |
| Cold hardiness (dormant) | About 0 to 10°F | About -10 to -25°F (Oregon State); Penn State mentions -30°F for hardy kiwi | To about -40°F |
| Season | Needs 225 to 240 frost-free days | Ripens on the vine | Earliest and hardiest |
| Cultivars (Oregon State) | ‘Hayward’ | ‘Ananasnaya’, ‘Ken’s Red’, ‘Issai’, ‘Jumbo’ | ‘Krupnoplodnaya’ |
For most gardens outside mild coastal or southern regions, hardy kiwi is the better choice. Oregon State describes ‘Ananasnaya’ as excellent, tropical-like and highly aromatic, and notes that the Arctic kiwi male is also grown for its ornamental pink-and-white variegated leaves.
Male and Female Kiwi Plants
Kiwi vines are dioecious: each plant is either male or female. This is the most common reason for a kiwi that never fruits.
| Point | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who fruits? | Only female vines produce fruit | Oregon State |
| Why males? | Male vines are essential for pollination but produce no fruit | Oregon State |
| Same species | It is best to plant a male and a female vine of the same species | Oregon State |
| Ratio | Roughly one male to six females | Penn State |
| Exception | ‘Issai’ is partially self-fertile and can fruit without a male | Oregon State |
| Telling them apart | The sex can only be seen at bloom: female flowers have a pistil in the center | Oregon State |
Always buy male and female kiwi plants as named, labeled cultivars from a nursery. A single male can pollinate several females planted nearby.
Site and Soil
| Need | Recommendation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Soil | Fertile, well-drained sandy loam or clay loam | Oregon State |
| pH | 5.6 to 6.5 | Oregon State |
| Drainage | At least 2 to 3 feet of soil above the water table | Oregon State |
| Space | About 15 feet per plant (Oregon State); 10 feet between plants (Penn State) | Oregon State, Penn State |
| Sun | Full sun (Illinois Extension); a sheltered spot, away from frost pockets where cold air collects in spring | Illinois Extension, Oregon State |
Oregon State notes that ‘Issai’ is sensitive to root rot, which makes good drainage even more important. If your soil stays wet, see how to build a raised garden bed for ideas on raising the planting area.
How to Build a Kiwi Trellis or Pergola
Kiwi vines are heavy and very vigorous: Illinois Extension describes Actinidia arguta as a twining vine that can grow 25 to 30 feet long, with fragrant white flowers in May and June. Penn State notes that the pergola or T-bar system is the most common support in commercial plantings because it handles the vine’s vigor. For a home garden, Oregon State describes these options:
| Kiwi trellis type | Details (Oregon State) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| T-bar trellis | Posts of 4 to 6 inches, with a cross arm 4 to 5 feet wide at 6 to 7 feet above the ground and wires along the arms | Rows of vines in a vegetable or fruit garden |
| Arbor or pergola | At least 7 to 8 feet high; plant one vine in the middle of each side | Shade over a patio or path |
| Spacing | About 15 feet per plant; with two vines, 15 feet apart and 6 feet at each end | Planning the length of your structure |
- Build the kiwi trellis before you plant; it is much harder to add later.
- Use pressure-treated or rot-resistant posts set deep in the ground, or a sturdy metal pergola.
- Train one straight trunk up a stake to the top wire, then let two permanent arms (cordons) grow along the wires.
- A mature vine can yield 50 to 100 pounds of fruit (Penn State), so the structure must carry a lot of weight.
A kiwi-covered pergola is a beautiful way to add shade to an outdoor living space. For more ideas, see our guide to enjoying your patio year-round.
How to Grow Kiwi: Planting Step by Step
Watering and Feeding
Oregon State recommends wetting the soil to a depth of about 1 foot at each irrigation, and watering sandy soils more often. Established vines with a large canopy use a lot of water in summer. A drip line or soaker hose under the vine is efficient; see our garden hose nozzle guide and expandable garden hose guide.
| Vine age | Nitrogen per vine per year (Oregon State) | Split over |
|---|---|---|
| Planting year | About 1.2 ounces of actual nitrogen | Three small doses in late spring and summer |
| Second year | About 3.2 ounces | Four doses, spring to midsummer |
| Third and fourth year | About 6 to 9 ounces | Three doses, early spring to midsummer |
| Mature vines | About 0.5 to 1 pound | Two-thirds in early spring, one-third in late spring |
These amounts are actual nitrogen, not the weight of the fertilizer. Check the percentage of nitrogen on the bag and calculate accordingly, or ask your local extension office for a soil test.
Protecting Kiwi from Spring Frost
All kiwi vines break bud early in spring. Penn State notes that the young shoots are extremely sensitive to frost and that frosted flowers will not develop fruit that year. Oregon State adds that temperatures of 30°F or less for only 30 minutes can severely damage shoots.
- Avoid low spots where cold air collects.
- Cover vines with row covers when frost is forecast; Oregon State advises placing them in the midafternoon the day before.
- A north-facing or shaded site can delay bud break slightly in some gardens.
- Do not fertilize late in summer; late growth is more easily damaged by cold.
How to Prune Kiwi Vines
| When | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (dormant) | Prune female vines hard, removing about 70 to 90 percent of the wood that grew the previous season | Oregon State; Penn State mentions as much as 70 percent |
| Right after bloom | Prune male vines | Oregon State |
| Summer | Cut back long shoots to four to six leaves beyond the last flower | Penn State |
| Every year | Keep the permanent trunk and arms; renew fruiting shoots | General practice |
Kiwi fruits on shoots that grow from one-year-old wood, so pruning is about renewing those fruiting shoots each year and keeping the tangle under control. Sharp bypass pruners and loppers make the job much easier; see our gardening tool sets guide and gardening gloves guide.
When Will a Kiwi Vine Start to Fruit?
Patience is part of learning how to grow kiwi. Oregon State expects vines to produce their first crop in the third year, with yields increasing until about the fifth or sixth year. Penn State notes that arguta plants usually do not bear fruit until they are 5 to 9 years old. Young plants, poor pollination, frost damage and heavy shade can all delay fruiting.
The old version of this page promised fruit within three to five years from seed. Plants raised from seed are usually much slower, and half of them may turn out to be male.
Harvest and Storage
| Hardy kiwi (kiwiberries) | Fuzzy kiwifruit | |
|---|---|---|
| When to pick | Taste fruit as it starts to soften; vine-ripe fruit is very soft (Oregon State) | When the seeds have turned black; usually after the first frost (Oregon State) |
| Ripening | Ripens on the vine; Penn State notes vine-ripe fruit reaches about 18 to 25 percent sugar | Does not ripen on the vine; ripens at room temperature after cold storage |
| Early picking | Can be picked firm at about 8 to 9 percent sugar and ripened in storage (Penn State) | Pick all fruit before hard frost |
| Storage | Several weeks in the refrigerator in vented bags; freeze whole when ripe (Oregon State) | Several months in the refrigerator if picked properly (Oregon State) |
Growing Kiwi from Seed: Is It Worth It?
The old version of this page focused on growing kiwi from seed from a supermarket fruit. It is a fun experiment, but not the best way to get fruit:
- Unknown sex: Oregon State notes that the sex of a vine can only be seen when it blooms, so you will not know which seedlings are male or female for years.
- Not true to type: seedlings do not grow into an exact copy of the parent cultivar.
- Wrong species: supermarket kiwis are fuzzy kiwifruit, which only succeed in mild climates.
- Slow: seedlings take longer to reach fruiting age than nursery plants.
If you still want to try growing kiwi from seed, scoop the seeds from a ripe fruit, rinse them clean, keep them moist and cold in the refrigerator for a few weeks, then sow them on the surface of moist seed-starting mix in a warm, bright place. Grow several seedlings so you have a chance of both sexes, and treat any fruit as a bonus.
Kiwi from Cuttings
Kiwi vines can also be propagated from cuttings of a known male or female plant, which keeps the sex and cultivar the same. Take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, dip the base in rooting hormone, and keep them in moist, well-drained mix in bright shade until roots form. Commercial plants are often propagated this way. Note that some kiwi cultivars may be patented, which limits propagation.
Common Kiwi Problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Flowers but no fruit | No male plant, or male and female of different species or bloom times | Plant a matching male near the females |
| Brown, wilted new shoots in spring | Late frost | Cover vines; choose a site without frost pockets |
| Yellowing, dying vine | Waterlogged soil and root rot | Improve drainage; avoid wet sites |
| Vine out of control | Too little pruning | Prune hard every winter and summer |
| Tiny or few fruit | Young vine, poor pollination or too much shade | Be patient; check male plant; prune to open the canopy |
The old version of this page recommended a homemade tobacco spray against pests. Nicotine is highly toxic to people and pets, and homemade nicotine sprays are not a safe choice. See our guide on how to apply insecticide safely.
Kiwi Cultivars at a Glance
Oregon State describes these cultivars for home gardens. Remember that you also need a male plant of the same species, except for ‘Issai’.
| Cultivar | Type | Fruit (Oregon State) |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Hayward’ | Fuzzy kiwifruit | 60 to 90 grams; good, sweet flavor; the main fuzzy cultivar for home gardens |
| ‘Ananasnaya’ | Kiwiberry (A. arguta) | 6 to 15 grams; excellent, tropical-like and highly aromatic |
| ‘Ken’s Red’ | Kiwiberry (A. arguta) | Ripens earlier than ‘Ananasnaya’ |
| ‘Issai’ | Kiwiberry (A. arguta) | Smaller than ‘Ananasnaya’; partially self-fertile; sensitive to root rot |
| ‘Jumbo’ | Kiwiberry (A. arguta) | About double the size of ‘Ananasnaya’, but bland flavor |
| ‘Krupnoplodnaya’ | Arctic kiwi | Largest fruit of this type |
For flavor, ‘Ananasnaya’ is a reliable choice. For a small garden with room for only one vine, ‘Issai’ avoids the need for male and female kiwi plants, but give it excellent drainage.
How to Grow Kiwi: 6 Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Planting only one vine | No pollination, no fruit | Plant male and female kiwi plants, or ‘Issai’ |
| Choosing fuzzy kiwi in a cold climate | Winter damage and no ripe fruit | Choose hardy kiwi or Arctic kiwi |
| A weak support | The vine pulls it down | Build a strong kiwi trellis or pergola first |
| Skipping pruning | A tangled, unproductive vine | Prune in winter and summer |
| Planting in a frost pocket | Frost kills the early shoots and flowers | Choose a sheltered spot; use row covers |
| Wet, poorly drained soil | Root rot | Plant in well-drained soil |
What You Need
| Item | Why it helps | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Male and female vines | Pollination and fruit | Same species; buy from a nursery |
| T-bar trellis or pergola | Supports a heavy, vigorous vine | 6 to 8 feet high |
| Pruners and loppers | Winter and summer pruning | See our gardening tool sets guide |
| Gardening gloves | Protects hands during pruning | See our gardening gloves guide |
| Hose or drip line | Deep watering to about 1 foot | See our expandable garden hose guide |
| Frost cloth or row cover | Protects early shoots | Place in the afternoon before a frost |
| Hose with adjustable nozzle | Watering young vines at the base | See our garden hose nozzle guide |
| Kneeling pad | Comfortable planting and mulching | See our kneeling pad guide |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I grow kiwi at home?
Choose a species suited to your climate, plant a male and a female vine (or ‘Issai’), build a strong trellis or pergola, give well-drained soil and full sun, protect the early shoots from frost and prune every winter.
Do I need male and female kiwi plants?
Yes, for most cultivars. Only females bear fruit, and they need a male of the same species nearby. ‘Issai’ is partially self-fertile.
How many male kiwi plants do I need?
Penn State mentions roughly one male to six females.
What is hardy kiwi?
Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) produces grape-sized, smooth-skinned fruit you eat whole. It tolerates far colder winters than fuzzy kiwifruit.
How long does a kiwi vine take to fruit?
Oregon State expects the first crop in the third year; Penn State notes kiwiberry vines often bear at 5 to 9 years. Seedlings take longer.
How tall should a kiwi trellis be?
Oregon State gives a T-bar cross arm at 6 to 7 feet and arbors at least 7 to 8 feet high.
Can I grow kiwi from seed?
You can, but seedlings take years to flower, you will not know their sex until then, and they do not grow true to type. Named nursery plants are a better choice for fruit.
Can I grow kiwi in a pot?
Only for a few years. Kiwi vines are too vigorous for long-term container growing and need a large trellis to fruit well.
Why is my kiwi flowering but not fruiting?
Usually because there is no male plant, or the male is a different species or blooms at a different time. Frost damage to flowers is another cause.
When do I prune kiwi vines?
Prune female vines in winter while dormant, and male vines right after bloom. Shorten long summer shoots to four to six leaves beyond the last flower.
When is hardy kiwi ready to pick?
Taste the fruit as it starts to soften. Vine-ripe kiwiberries are very soft and sweet; firm fruit can be picked and ripened in storage.
Can kiwi survive frost?
Dormant hardy kiwi tolerates hard winter cold, but the new shoots in spring are very sensitive: 30°F for only 30 minutes can severely damage them.
Can I grow kiwi in a cold climate?
Yes, with the right species. Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) and especially Arctic kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta) tolerate very cold winters, but their early spring shoots still need protection from late frost.
How much fruit does a kiwi vine produce?
Penn State notes that a mature hardy kiwi vine yields 50 to 100 pounds of fruit, with about 50 pounds closer to the average.
Is a homemade tobacco spray safe for kiwi pests?
No. Nicotine is highly toxic to people and pets. Use targeted, labeled products only when needed.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to grow kiwi: choose hardy kiwi for colder gardens and fuzzy kiwi only in mild climates, plant male and female kiwi plants of the same species, and build a strong kiwi trellis or pergola before you plant.
Give the vines well-drained soil, deep watering, frost protection in spring and a hard prune every winter, and be patient. Growing kiwi from seed is a fun project, but named nursery plants give you fruit sooner and more reliably.
Sources: Oregon State University Extension: growing kiwifruit in your home garden (EM 9322); Penn State Extension: hardy kiwi in the home fruit planting; University of Illinois Extension: hardy kiwi.
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