How to Grow Kiwi
Actinidia deliciosa
Kiwi vines are vigorous climbers that need a sturdy pergola or T-bar trellis and plenty of space. You need both a male and female plant for fruit, unless you grow the self-fertile variety 'Jenny'. Plant in a sheltered, sunny spot as late spring frosts can damage the flowers. Harvest in late October before the first frost and ripen the fruit indoors. Summer and winter pruning are both essential to keep growth in check and encourage fruiting.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring with a balanced fertiliser. Mulch with compost. Liquid feed fortnightly once fruit sets.
Watch For
- Generally pest-free in the UK
- Cats (attracted to young plants)
- Frost damage to flowers
Companions
Comfrey, Lavender, Marigolds
Track your Kiwi care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun, sheltered spot; south or west-facing wall ideal
Full sun in a sheltered position is essential for fruit production in the UK. A south or west-facing wall provides warmth and protection from late spring frosts.
💧 Watering
Regular watering; especially when fruit is developing
Water regularly, especially during the first few years and when fruit is developing. Kiwis are thirsty plants with large leaves that lose moisture quickly in hot weather.
🌱 Fertilizing
Balanced spring feed; fortnightly liquid feed after fruit set
Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring and mulch with compost. Liquid feed fortnightly once fruit sets to support the heavy crop.
✂️ Pruning
Summer pinch beyond fruit; winter cut back fruited laterals
Summer pruning — pinch new shoots to five or six leaves beyond the fruit. Winter pruning — cut fruited laterals back to two or three buds beyond the last fruit. Both are essential.
🌿 Support
Very sturdy pergola or T-bar trellis; vines are heavy
Provide a very sturdy pergola, T-bar trellis, or heavy-gauge wire system. Kiwi vines are extremely vigorous and heavy — lightweight structures will collapse under the weight.
❄️ Overwintering
Fleece-protect flowers from late frost; hardy once established
Hardy once established, but young plants and flowers are frost-sensitive. Drape fleece over the vine on frosty nights during flowering to protect the crop.
Growing Tips
Pollination partners
You need one male vine for every six to eight females. The self-fertile 'Jenny' is a good choice for smaller gardens but crops are lighter.
Frost protection for flowers
Kiwi flowers are vulnerable to late spring frosts. Drape fleece over the vine on frosty nights during the flowering period to protect the crop.
Two-stage pruning
In summer, pinch new shoots back to five or six leaves beyond the fruit. In winter, cut fruited laterals back to two or three buds beyond the last fruit.
Ripen indoors
Pick fruit in late October before frost. Store in a cool place and bring a few at a time to room temperature with a banana to speed ripening.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Cats
Identification: Broken or flattened young plants. Scratch marks on stems. Cat droppings nearby.
- Protect young plants with chicken wire cages for the first two to three years
- Use cat-deterrent sprays around the base
- Mature plants are less vulnerable
- No chemical treatment applicable
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of green aphids on young shoot tips. Leaves may curl slightly. Generally a minor problem on established vines.
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Encourage ladybirds and lacewings
- Usually self-limiting on vigorous vines
- Spray with a pyrethrin-based insecticide only if severe
Pest Scale Insects
Identification: Small brown oval bumps on stems. Sticky honeydew and sooty mould on leaves below.
- Scrub off with a soft brush in winter
- Apply a winter plant oil wash to dormant stems
- Spray with a plant oil-based insecticide during the dormant season
Disease Bacterial Canker (PSA) Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae
Symptoms: Dark brown spots on leaves surrounded by yellow haloes. Reddish-brown ooze from stems in spring. Wilting and dieback of shoots.
Treatment: Cut out affected wood well below visible symptoms. Sterilise tools between cuts. Destroy prunings.
Prevention: Buy certified disease-free plants. Prune in dry weather. Avoid overhead irrigation. Maintain good plant hygiene.
Disease Phytophthora Root Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: Yellowing foliage, wilting despite moist soil, dark discolouration at the stem base. Roots are brown and waterlogged.
Treatment: No reliable cure for established infections. Improve drainage. Remove severely affected plants.
Prevention: Ensure excellent drainage at planting time. Avoid waterlogged soil. Do not plant in sites with a history of phytophthora.
Disease Grey Mould Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fuzzy grey fungal growth on flowers and young fruit. Affected fruit rots and drops. Can also affect pruning wounds.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected material. Improve air circulation through summer pruning.
Prevention: Prune to maintain an open canopy. Avoid overhead watering during flowering. Remove debris from around the base.
Popular Varieties
Hayward
The standard green grocery store kiwi with fuzzy brown skin and bright emerald flesh. Female variety that requires a male pollinator.
Tomuri
A vigorous male vine used specifically to pollinate late-blooming female varieties like Hayward. Produces abundant flowers but bears no fruit.
Golden
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 450 cm |
| Row spacing | 500 cm |
| Mature height | 500 cm |
| Mature spread | 300 cm |
Vigorous vine needing sturdy T-bar trellis. 4-5m between plants. Hardy kiwi can be 2.5m apart.
Log Kiwi in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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