Kiwifruit
Actinidia chinensis · Actinidiaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around kiwifruit and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Actinidia or Kiwi
- Family
- Actinidiaceae
- Form
- Vigorous climbing plant
- Foliage
- Deciduous, glossy dark green
- Flowering
- May to June, fragrant white flowers
- Adult size
- Up to 8 m in length
- Growth
- Fast and vigorous
- Hardiness
- Moderate, dislikes late frosts
- Origin
- Central China
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Chinese actinidia is vigorous but needs solid support: stake it on a wall or trellis from the start. Pinch back lateral stems to 15-20 cm in January to concentrate energy on fruiting.
The common mistake
Letting it grow without structure creates unnecessary mess and hampers harvesting; pruning is crucial, not optional.
The pro's trick
Plant male and female together (one male for 5-6 females): only females fruit, the male pollinates.
Care
Exposure and location
Place your actinidia in semi-shaded or sunny exposure, ideally with at least 4 hours of sunlight daily. Too much shade reduces flowering and fruiting. Protect it from strong winds that could damage young shoots and fruits.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil moist but well-draining. Reduce watering in winter. Avoid waterlogging which can cause root rot. During prolonged dry periods, increase watering.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering to encourage branching and control vigorous growth. Tie stems to a sturdy support (trellis, pergola). Remove dead or diseased branches. Regular pruning improves air circulation and light penetration.
Fertilizing and nutrition
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring during bud break. During fruiting, potassium-rich fertilizer promotes fruit quality. If needed, supplement with diluted organic or mineral fertilizer in water.
Soil type
Plant in rich, well-draining and slightly acidic soil. Improve poor soil with compost or potting mix. The soil must be fertile to support vigorous growth and fruit production. Avoid alkaline soils.
Diseases and pests
Watch for aphids and spider mites, especially in dry climates. Powdery mildew and botrytis can appear in humid conditions; improve air circulation through proper pruning. Insufficient drainage promotes root rot.
Did you know?
Actinidia chinensis is the ancestor of the commercial kiwi we know today. Originally from China where it was called 'yang tao' (the yang peach), the fruit was exported to New Zealand in the early 20th century where it was selected, improved and renamed 'kiwi' in homage to the country's emblematic bird.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.