Plant field guide
Hardy Kiwi
Vigorous deciduous vine producing small, smooth-skinned kiwi fruits that can be eaten whole. Extremely cold hardy unlike tropical kiwi. Needs male and female plants.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Actinidia arguta
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 120 in (305 cm) – 360 in (914 cm)
- Spread
- 60 in (152 cm) – 180 in (457 cm)
- Spacing
- 120 in (305 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–8; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- moderate
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: January, February, July.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Needs sturdy support. Both male and female plants required for fruit. Very vigorous - can grow 20 feet per year.
Pruning
Major pruning in winter when dormant. Summer prune to control rampant growth. Fruit on year-old wood.
Fertilizer
Balanced organic fertilizer
Early spring
Mulch
3-4 inches of organic mulch around base.