Kiwi

Actinidia arguta

Engels: Hardy Kiwi

fruitActinidiaceaeEetbaar

Kiwi (Actinidia arguta) is a edible fruit plant from the Actinidiaceae family that grows up to 8 meters tall. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires moderate maintenance. Blooms in spring with white flowers and attracts bees.

Hoogte

400–800 cm

Breedte

300–500 cm

Zonligging

full sun, partial shade

Waterbehoefte

moderate

Grondsoort

loam, sandy soil

Onderhoud

moderate maintenance

Bloeitijd

spring

Bloemkleuren

white

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
🌱Planten
✂️Snoeien
💧Bemesten
🍎Oogsten

Care tips

Planting

Hardy kiwi is a vigorous climbing fruit vine that needs a sturdy support structure from the outset. Plant between March and May, once the risk of hard frost has passed and the soil is workable. Choose a site in full sun or partial shade—full sun yields the sweetest fruit, but the plant tolerates some shade, especially in hotter gardens. The soil should be loam or sandy, well-drained, and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7.0). Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged ground, which can cause root rot. Before planting, dig a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball and incorporate plenty of well-rotted compost or manure to improve drainage and fertility. Set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot, firming the soil gently around the roots. Space plants 300 cm apart if you're growing more than one vine, as mature specimens spread 300–500 cm and can reach 4–8 metres in height. Immediately after planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Apply a 5–8 cm layer of organic mulch (bark chips or compost) around the base, keeping it clear of the stem to prevent rot. Install a robust support—a pergola, strong trellis, or wire framework—capable of bearing the weight of mature growth and heavy crops. Hardy kiwi is dioecious, meaning you'll need both a male and a female plant for fruit production; one male can pollinate up to eight females. Label them clearly at planting time. Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots establish, especially in dry spells.

Pruning

Hardy kiwi requires disciplined pruning twice a year to keep growth manageable and encourage fruiting. The main pruning session takes place in December or January, when the vine is fully dormant. Pruning during active growth causes excessive sap bleeding, which weakens the plant. Use clean, sharp secateurs or loppers for thinner stems and a pruning saw for older, woody growth. In winter, remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches first. Hardy kiwi fruits on one-year-old wood and short spurs on older wood, so your goal is to establish a permanent framework of main stems and encourage fresh lateral growth. Cut back the long, whippy shoots (laterals) that grew the previous summer to about five or six buds from the main framework. This concentrates the plant's energy into fruit production rather than rampant leafy growth. Remove any weak or overcrowded laterals entirely to improve air circulation and light penetration. In July, carry out a summer prune to control vigour and improve fruit ripening. Shorten the current season's green shoots to five or six leaves beyond the last fruit, and remove any shoots that aren't fruiting back to a couple of buds. This opens up the canopy, allows sunlight to reach developing fruit, and prevents the vine from smothering its support or neighbouring plants. Male plants need less rigorous pruning—simply thin out congested growth in winter to maintain shape. Always wear gloves; the stems can be rough and the sap sticky.

Maintenance

Hardy kiwi has moderate water needs. Water regularly during the growing season, particularly from late spring through summer when the vine is flowering and setting fruit. Aim for deep watering once or twice a week in dry weather; the soil should remain consistently moist but never waterlogged. Reduce watering in autumn as growth slows, and water sparingly in winter unless conditions are exceptionally dry. Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds—top up the layer each spring. Feed in March and April with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser (such as blood, fish and bone) or a potassium-rich feed to support flowering and fruiting. Scatter a handful around the base of each plant and water in well. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds after late spring, as these promote soft, leafy growth at the expense of fruit and can reduce winter hardiness. Hardy kiwi is fully hardy in zones 4a–8b and needs no special winter protection in temperate Europe. However, late spring frosts can damage emerging shoots and flowers, so avoid planting in frost pockets if possible. If frost is forecast during flowering, drape fleece over young vines overnight. Pests are generally few. Watch for aphids on soft new growth in spring; a strong jet of water or an insecticidal soap usually suffices. Cats are sometimes attracted to the scent of young plants and may damage stems by rubbing—protect with netting or a wire guard if necessary. Fungal issues are rare if air circulation is good, but remove any mildewed or spotted leaves promptly. Harvest the smooth-skinned fruit in September or October when slightly soft to the touch; they ripen further indoors.