Kiwi Tree Guide: Identify, Growing Season, Zone, How To Grow a Kiwi Plant

Image Credit: Gidon Pico (GidonPico)³⁵

How To Identify Kiwi Tree: Kiwi Fruit Tree (Kiwifruit Plant)

If you’re wondering how to identify Kiwi Tree, there are a few key characteristics that can help you out. The Kiwi fruit grows on a woody, twining vine, or a climbing shrub. They can reach up to 30 feet long, which is quite the length of a vine.

They are deciduous,²¹ meaning they shed their leaves, usually in the fall.

The shape of their leaves ranges between oval and nearly circular and are roughly three to five inches in length with short petioles (the stalk which supports the leaf).

The young leaves are typically coated with red hair, while the fragrant flowers will have up to six petals which change from white to a yellowish color.

The most iconic part of the Kiwi, the oval fruit which is roughly egg-shaped, will normally have an earthy brown skin, with other varieties taking on a bright green or deep red coloration.

Inside the fruit, you’ll find green flesh and when cut horizontally, will have a ring of black seeds.⁷

Kiwi Tree Leaves

On the upper surface, mature leaves exhibit a dark-green color and a smooth texture, while the lower surface showcases prominent, light-colored veins. The leaves are one of the first parts of the Kiwi plant to exhibit symptoms of drought.

These symptoms of drought stress include drooping leaves, browning on the edge of the leaves, as well as the premature shedding of leaves and regrowth of new shoots.

Kiwi Tree Flower

The Kiwi Tree flower is the reproductive organ of the Kiwi (as well as other plants). If you’re wondering how to determine the Kiwi plants’ gender, you’ll have to wait for the vine to bloom.

You can ascertain the sex of the Kiwi Tree by documenting the differences in the flowers. Starting with female Kiwi plants, their flowers will have long sticky stigmas which radiate out from the center of the flowers.

Another noticeable trait is that the female flowers do not produce pollen.

Additionally, female Kiwi blooms will have bright white ovaries – the part of the plant that develops into fruit- at the base of the flower, something the male flower lacks entirely.

Male Kiwi flowers are vibrantly colored with a yellow center, a natural insect attractant for its pollinating anthers. Males don’t produce fruits, their exclusive role is pollination which they excel at.

The insects which latch onto the pollen will move onwards to the female plant, inducing fertilization and continuing the cycle of life.

The fact that male Kiwi vines don’t bear any fruit means they can allocate all their energy and resources to vine growth, meaning they grow far faster and more vigorously than their female counterparts.¹³

Kiwi Tree Seeds

Next time you find yourself with a cut Kiwi in hand, take a deeper look into its flesh before taking a bite. You’ll notice the minuscule seeds, of which a single fruit can have roughly 1,000 of them.

These seeds are the result of successful pollination, and the more pollen the kiwi ovary receives, the more seeds it will produce.

Another thing to know about the seeds is that the more a fruit has, the larger the fruit will be, meaning that cultivators of kiwis want as much pollination as possible.

(Image: Dan Bucko³²)

If you plan on growing a Kiwi Tree from a seed, just be aware that it’s considered an inferior method of beginning your kiwi cultivation. This is due to the fact that the Kiwis won’t be the same as the plant you took from the seed, so you can potentially get weaker genetics and also won’t know the sex of the vine.

For these reasons, people prefer to grow kiwis from cuttings than growing a Kiwi Tree from a seedling.

Kiwi Fruit (Kiwi Berries)

The Kiwi fruit (Kiwi berries) has become a sought-after fruit for its unique blend of sweet and bitter flavors. It’s a culinary favorite and is consistently used in many desserts and other dishes.

The first record of the Kiwifruit was written during the Song Dynasty in the 12th century, which at the time was being consumed for medicinal purposes and rarely cultivated.

People who first tasted the fruit outside of China thought the flavor was reminiscent of Gooseberry, so it gained the name Chinese Gooseberry, even though there is no relation to the gooseberry family, Grossulariaceae.

The Kiwifruit belongs to the Actinidia family instead.

(Image: Emőke Dénes²⁸)

The fruit became quite popular with American and British service people stationed in New Zealand during the Second World War, which eventually led to its exportation to Great Britain, followed by California in the 60s.²

The Kiwifruit eventually became an agricultural commodity in New Zealand and since the 1940s the development of this commercially viable cultivar has exported $2.9 billion in gross value.³

Many people wonder “Is Kiwi a tropical fruit?”, mostly due to its interesting appearance and flavors closely associated with tropical citrus. But the answer is no, it’s a subtropical fruit that can thrive in a wide range of climates, including the colder mountains of China.

Types of Kiwi (Including Actinidia deliciosa)

There are many types of Kiwi (including Actinidia deliciosa), all with unique characteristics and flavors.

How Does Kiwi Grow?

Kiwis originate from East Asia, and they absolutely love sunshine, growing best in climates that have consistent warmth. They are a hardy species (including the Hardy variety) and can be grown in colder climates so long as you provide them with the most sun possible, preferably south facing.

Allowing them to grow against a warm wall will also help protect Kiwis from frost damage, and if tended to properly, can grow up to 26 ft tall.⁶

While the vines will still grow in the shade, this will commonly result in the plant lacking fruit production. If you’re more interested in an ornamental vine, then growing them in the shade is still an interesting option, as they have pretty red stems and their flowers are considerably fragrant.

This vine plant needs sturdy supports, a cross-hatch of wires properly anchored into a wall or fence should give them enough purchase to healthily thrive. Another option is growing your Kiwi plant on a trellis or pergola, so long as it’s sturdy enough to hold up the continuous growth that this plant exhibits.

Kiwi plants are dioecious,²² which means that male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Looking into this a bit further, the Hayward variety, the most popular of Kiwis, is female and can be paired with male varieties like the Tomuri.

You don’t always have the room for this to be viable, since you will need around one male for every six females, so thankfully they have bred self-fertile varieties of Kiwi.

When it comes to the best-growing conditions for Kiwi Trees, a Kiwi should be grown in nutrient-rich soil that can easily retain water. If you’re going to plant against a wall as many suggest, then it’s best to give yourself at least one foot of space away from the wall, so the roots don’t rest in a rain shadow, the area where rain accumulates against a wall.

The first few years will be critical to the success of your Kiwi plant, which means ensuring they have a strong root system will increase their chances of survival. There are three factors that can help promote healthy growth, warm soil, nutrients, and plenty of water.

Another thing to consider is that Kiwi vines tend to be brittle, so keeping them protected from strong winds can prevent unwanted damage.

The Kiwis have a tendency to tangle so putting a distance of at least 10 feet between each plant will prevent it from happening.

Some additional planting tips for Kiwi Trees include making sure that they’re spaced apart properly because when it comes to how far apart to plant Kiwi Tree from others, there is a lot of wiggle room to consider.

(Image: idaun²⁹)

You can actually have male and female trees as far apart as 35 feet for pollination.⁸ Kiwi flowers are pollinated by some types of bees, even though they don’t offer any nectar for them.

With this in mind, it may be prudent to cut out competing flowers during the Kiwis’ blooming season to increase the odds of pollination.

There are many similarities between growing grapes and kiwis. You should annually fertilize and prune your Kiwi plants.

Adding organic fertilizers during the spring would be your best course of action, while pruning can be done in the winter, as the vines will be dormant at that point.

If you prune them between February to April you can damage your vines as they’re actively growing and will actually bleed their tree sap.

Where Do Kiwis Grow?

In the 20th century, the cultivation of the Kiwifruit Tree expanded greatly when the seeds were introduced to New Zealand. In 1906, the seeds were planted and eventually fruited four years later.

Originally grown in domestic gardens, the Chinese Gooseberry Tree began commercial planting in the 1940s, and in 1959 was coined the Kiwifruit after New Zealand’s national bird, bearing some resemblance to being brown and furry.

By 2006, Italy became the global leading producer of the fruit, with New Zealand coming in second and Chile being third. In China, the Kiwifruit Tree is mainly grown in mountainous regions of the Yangtze River area, as the plant prefers higher altitudes.¹

All Kiwi plants fall into four distinct categories; Hairless, Hardy, Arctic, and Fuzzy. Some types of Kiwi, such as the Fuzzy, prefer subtropical climates, dying in anything below 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then there are other species such as the Arctic and Hardy that have even been known to grow in places like Russia, thriving in frost-inducing temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kiwi production has spread across the world, so the fact is that no matter where you are, there’s a chance that a Kiwi is growing nearby.

Some of the varieties that prefer cold winters and short growing seasons are the Geneva, Issai, Dumbarton Oaks, and Ananasnaya.⁹ These types of Kiwis can withstand colder climates, with some visual differences from the type of Kiwis you would find at the grocery store.

They typically won’t have fuzzy brown skin, grow considerably smaller, closer to grapes than eggs, and pack a lot of flavor into the small fruit. You can even eat their skin!

If you’re growing Kiwis in a warmer climate, then Fuzzy Kiwis are the perfect option. The Hayward variety, the Kiwi found in almost every grocery store, as well as the Blake, Saanichton 12, and Meander, all love warmer climates.

If you live in a location with freezing temperatures, such as Maine or Vermont, then you’ll be relegated to the Arctic Kiwi. Some of the varieties that can withstand harsh conditions include the Patske, Russian, Arctic Beauty, and the Krupnopladnaya.

And if you were curious to find naturally growing Kiwis, you would have to start your search in the mountainous regions of China near the Yangtze River. There they would be found growing at altitudes between 600 m and 2,000 m, and have been harvested for medical purposes for hundreds of years.

When Is Kiwi Season?

You might wonder when is Kiwi season, and the common response would be that it’s summertime, of course.

We associate Kiwis with hot weather and summertime and they’re a refreshing fruit to take to the beaches and lakes, but the fact is that Kiwis’ are actually a winter fruit.

In December, they finish their season and begin the final stages of ripening, where the once-hard fruits begin to soften and become far sweeter as well as aromatic.

(Image: ideatrendz³⁰)

By the time we hit January, any Kiwis that are found in grocery stores will have been placed in cold storage, allowing some of the starches to further transform into sugars, making them even sweeter. Regardless of when you pick them, Kiwis require at least a week after being plucked to sit at room temperature, affording them one final moment to fully sweeten.

In northern temperate climates, the Kiwis will ripen around November and December. To date, nearly 90% of Kiwis are grown in California, with the most common variety being the Hayward and the Chico Hayward Kiwi.

In China, where the Kiwi originates, the season for Kiwis is actually in spring and early fall. This is due to the differences in climate between the US and China, where the Chinese winters are typically colder than those in California.

You should try and plant your Kiwi in spring to prevent any danger from frost or sudden cold snaps you may experience during winter. While the Kiwi Tree will begin to grow, you’ll have to wait no less than three years before you begin seeing fruit.

Kiwi Tree Growing Zone

The Kiwi Tree growing zone has a wide bandwidth, ranging between USDA Zones 3 and 9 depending on the type of Kiwi you’re growing.

If you aren’t sure what a USDA growing zone is, then we can cover it before we discuss Kiwis and their preferred climates. The USDA hardiness zone was created to help direct botanists and gardeners determine which plants are suited to grow in their local area.²³

In simple terms, the USDA grow zone categorizes zones into temperature highs and lows and further categorizes which plants can grow in those zones.

One of the biggest contributing factors is the minimum winter temperature, as well as the harshness of climates, like the amount of rain and other extreme weather events. While the USDA hardiness zone map is useful, it’s not always perfect and tends to become less accurate the further east of the 100th meridian you go.

(Image: CoraLyne³⁴)

This is due to the fact that West of the 100th meridian you will find a high variance of both geographical features, as well as quick shifts in weather, elevation, and humidity. These microclimates can drastically reduce the accuracy of using the USDA hardiness zone map, since you can have 2000 ft elevation in one area while being at sea level 10 kilometers away, all in the same hardiness zone.

When it comes to the best growing zones for Kiwi Tree (where to grow), it’s dependent on the variety. It can be grown between USDA Hardiness Zones 3 and 9, depending on the variety, meaning it does well in a wide range of climates.

The Hardy Kiwi vine can take the abuse that cold brings and produces similar Kiwi fruit which you would find in the grocery store. Whereas the Hayward Kiwi prefers a growing zone between 7 and 9, meaning it wants a much warmer climate and is far less tolerant of colder winters.

Kiwi Tree Growth Rate

The Kiwi Tree growth rate is considerably fast compared to other vines. While this is mostly a good thing (we’ll get to that later), especially if you’re growing Kiwis as an ornamental plant, there is a downside to it when left uncontrolled.

Their long twining vines will coil and wrap around anything in their path as they grow extremely rapidly. The Kiwi plant can outpace many other vines, growing at a rapid pace of 10 to 20 feet per season, quickly covering up a tree, pergola, or vine post.

The watering needs for Kiwi Tree plants are ample, requiring constant watering in soil that drains easily plus lots of nutrients. They won’t tolerate salty soils but can do well in some shade.

The large volume of water required as well as the high frequency of watering during summer is a must. Don’t allow your Kiwi to undergo stress from lack of water, as this may stunt its growth entirely.

New research concerning the Kiwiberry, specifically A. arguta, found across New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, may be taking on the role of an invasive species. You may be wondering what makes a species invasive.

By definition, invasive plants are both non-native species that also show a tendency to grow rapidly and spread beyond control. The “invasive” label is typically reserved for plants introduced from other regions and spread like a plague throughout their new habitats.

There is a difference between “invasive” plants and “aggressive” plants, which are native but can simply grow out of control.

These harmful plants can compete with native plants for space, light, nutrients, and water, taking on a monopoly due to the lack of natural predators as well as having adapted to an entirely different ecosystem so they may not be hindered by the same environmental factors. Invasive species have helped contribute to the drastic decline of endangered and threatened species in the United States, accounting for up to 42% of the loss.¹⁰

The Hardy Kiwi was introduced in Massachusetts in the year 1876,¹¹ for both its delicious fruit and its ornamental appearance. Much like many introduced species, over time, some of the plants have grown beyond their intended habitat, and have spread into the surrounding forests.

Many of the areas that the Hardy Kiwi migrates into have already been clear-cut, providing an ecological vacuum that can be filled in by the rapid-growing nature of the Kiwi.

This highlights the importance of land management practices, and how we need to learn how to manage our relationship with cultivation and nature.

Kiwi Vines Propagation Tips

Learning a bit more about Kiwi vines may help you not only be a better botanist and hobby gardener, but it’s also an extremely interesting plant. The Kiwi plant has a woody vine that can entirely cover an arbor,¹² a garden structure, or even the wall of your home.

One thing that may interest you is how Kiwifruit can be propagated. These vine plants are typically grown by horticulturalists in the form of either a cutting or grafting.

Grafting is the process by which you cut a piece of vine or limb from a plant that produces fruit. More specifically, you need to cut below the rootstock, the lower part of the tree that controls how the tree or vine grows, and implant the scion, which is the upper portion of the graft that imparts the genetic information for growing the fruit.

(Image: Ben Cornelius³¹)

Kiwifruit growers will normally get their plants from a licensed nursery, optimizing desirable plant traits and qualities. Commercial plants are typically grafted onto seedling rootstocks, usually from the Hayward or Bruno variety.

The Bruno is commonly used as a rootstock because the prevailing theory is that they have a superior ability to root compared to the Hayward. These rootstock seedlings are first grown from a seed taken from a single ripe fruit.

They will grow these plants for one year before they attempt a graft.

If you plan on trying to graft your own Kiwi vine, the scion should be collected around January, and grafted to the seedling rootstock as early as spring, but no later than April. Collect your scion cuttings from the vines that seem to vigorously grow.

Growing a Kiwi Tree from a cutting is far simpler and easier than grafting multiple varieties together, but it is a unique and fruitful endeavor.

Kiwi Tree Facts

The Kiwi Tree is a fascinating tree, and there is no shortage of Kiwi Tree facts.

Low-Calories

If you’re trying to lose some weight then the Kiwifruit can be one of your best allies. The average size typically only has 46 calories and contains almost no fat.

If you prefer to think of counting calories in cups, then Kiwifruit only has 108 calories per cup, and only 7.7 of those calories are from fats. The remainder is from carbohydrates and a small amount of protein.

Low Glycemic Index

Despite the fact that Kiwis are high in carbohydrates, Kiwi fruit is still an excellent supplement for your diet. Unlike other fruits, the Kiwi has a low glycemic index, meaning that it doesn’t cause a massive insulin rush within your body.

High-sugar fruits tend to cause an insulin rush that inevitably leads to fat storage.

The Kiwi fruit’s glycemic index comes in at a relatively low 52. This is good news for those who love the Kiwi but want to avoid a sugar rush, especially including those with diabetes.

Over 60 Varieties

Did you know that the Kiwi has over 60 different varieties? While many are extremely close in relation to each other, there are many that appear almost alien in comparison.

Despite this, all varieties belong to the genus Actinidia.

The most common species, the A. deliciosa, or the common Fuzzy Kiwifruit you find in the markets. Following that, you have the Golden Kiwi, the Baby Kiwi, Arctic Kiwi, Red Kiwi, and Purple Kiwi.

Many varieties are being bred even to this day.

Latex/Kiwi Allergy

Did you know that if you’re allergic to latex the odds of you being allergic to Kiwi is extremely high? We already know that Kiwifruit can cause allergic reactions in some people, but people who can’t handle Kiwis also tend to have issues with latex.

This bizarre relation is called the Latex-Fruit Allergy syndrome and is caused by proteins found in Kiwi which are also found in latex.

Kiwi Nutrition

The Kiwi’s nutrition can only be said to be astounding compared to many fruits. The nutrient-dense fruit has been extensively researched over the last decade in regard to its health benefits for people.

The regular consumption of Kiwifruit has been linked to general improvements, not only in your overall nutritional profile, but also in your digestion, immunity, and metabolism.

The benefits of fruit consumption have been well-documented,¹⁶ with Kiwifruit being exceptionally high in a wide array of nutrients, especially vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, and dietary fibers.⁴ Not only does it contain essential nutrients, but it is also a notable source of bioactive components like antioxidants, enzymes, and phytonutrients, all of which further offer health benefits.

Research into the Kiwifruit’s unique ability to aid digestion has been gaining attention lately, largely owing to a growing number of human intervention studies. One of the prevailing theories is that the fiber content and the presence of actinidin, a proteolytic enzyme unique to the Kiwi, help break down protein and facilitate digestion.

When it comes to your immunity, the Kiwi contains massive reserves of vitamin C that help stimulate the body’s immune system. Depending on the type of Kiwi, a single serving of 100g can provide anywhere between 112% and 194% of a person’s daily recommended intake of vitamin C.²

Another immune-boosting benefit comes from the Kiwifruit’s high antioxidant content. It helps eliminate free radicals in the body, which are molecules containing a free electron that can latch onto your cells and cause errors.

These errors can contribute to the formation of cancer and other undesirable outcomes such as inflammation.¹⁷

Other properties of the Kiwifruit also help lower blood pressure. By maintaining healthy blood pressure and providing consistent vitamin C, Kiwifruit can actually reduce the risk of both heart disease and stroke.

(Image: Pranjall Kumar²⁷)

In addition to this, the high dietary fiber found within Kiwifruit can help reduce risk factors for heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol. High cholesterol can lead to many diseases including the hardening of the heart’s arteries, known as atherosclerosis.¹⁸

The Kiwifruit has even been found to assist those with asthma, as the abundance of vitamin C has been found to reduce wheezing symptoms in some patients, especially children.⁵

Kiwi Tree Disease Prevention

Kiwi Tree disease prevention is most effective by simply keeping good care of your Kiwi vines.

Understanding how to stop Kiwi Tree disease through proper maintenance and regular inspections can help you maintain thriving Kiwi Trees in your orchard.

(Image: Frank Vincentz³³)

Whether you’re growing an Avocado Tree, a Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) or a Kiwi vine, prevention is the best form of medicine. There are various diseases and pests that can affect the growth of not only your Kiwis but also that of commercially cultivated ones.

Between 2010 and 2011, there was a devastating plague that swept over Kiwi plants across the globe, including France, Italy, as well as New Zealand. The destructive disease is known as Pseudomonas syringe pv. actinidiae,²⁴ leading to massive economic loss from the damage.¹⁴

Some of the common diseases of the Kiwi plant include crown and root rot, gray mold, crown gall, and bleeding canker. Many of these are caused by fungal or bacterial infections and can cause serious harm if not treated properly.

Some of the common pests of the Kiwi Tree include the leafroller, caterpillars, snails, root-knot nematodes, as well as the infamous Japanese beetle. If you’re looking for natural pest control for Kiwi Tree, then start with simply covering your crop during the fruiting season.

This can prevent the pests from easily finding the fruits of your Kiwi Tree (Kiwi plant) and ensure the survival and flourishing of your vines.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kiwi Tree