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Climber · Actinidiaceae family

Hardy kiwi

Actinidia arguta

Full sun to part shade 7.6–9.2 m × 2.2–6.1 m Flowers May–June Harvest September–November to −40 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
Size7.6–9.2 m
spacing 2.5 m
FlowersMay–June
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterCover with horticultural fleece

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
averagenot fussy about soil

Watering

Hardy kiwi — Watering
regularly until establishedmore when fruitingless when it rains

Frost

−40 °C
cover with horticultural fleeceleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m7.6–9.2 mspread 2.2–6.1 m
7.6–9.2 m× spread 2.2–6.1 m

Plant 2.5 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberHarvest: JanuaryHarvest: FebruaryHarvest: MarchHarvest: AprilHarvest: MayHarvest: JuneHarvest: JulyHarvest: AugustHarvest: SeptemberHarvest: OctoberHarvest: NovemberHarvest: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeedingHarvest
Now, in October: time to harvest.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June · white

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March

Harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

September–November

Feeding

Nutrition.

Hardy kiwi — Feeding
Light
compost or mulchbalanced fertiliser
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

Rotting roots, white mycelium under the bark, black bootlaces (rhizomorphs) in the soil, sudden death; mushrooms in autumn.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Choose species that honey fungus rarely attacks (e.g. Vaccinium).
  2. By handA deep barrier (45 cm) of rubber sheeting in the soil blocks the bootlaces; regular deep cultivation breaks them.
Honey fungusdisease · summer – autumn

What you will see

Rotting roots, white mycelium under the bark, black bootlaces (rhizomorphs) in the soil, sudden death; mushrooms in autumn.

When to look

Summer – autumn

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Choose species that honey fungus rarely attacks (e.g. Vaccinium).
  2. By handA deep barrier (45 cm) of rubber sheeting in the soil blocks the bootlaces; regular deep cultivation breaks them.
More about this problem

What you will see

Wilting, yellow or thin foliage, dieback of branches.

When to look

All year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Improve drainage; do not plant sensitive species on heavy, waterlogged soils.
  2. By handFor a local outbreak, destroy the plants and replace the soil in the root zone; plant a less susceptible species.
Phytophthora root rotdisease · all year

What you will see

Wilting, yellow or thin foliage, dieback of branches.

When to look

All year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Improve drainage; do not plant sensitive species on heavy, waterlogged soils.
  2. By handFor a local outbreak, destroy the plants and replace the soil in the root zone; plant a less susceptible species.
More about this problem
Sources (3)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does hardy kiwi flower?

In May–June; the flowers are white.

When is hardy kiwi harvested?

In September–November.

Does hardy kiwi tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does hardy kiwi need?

At maturity 2.2–6.1 m wide and 7.6–9.2 m tall; recommended spacing 2.5 m.

Honey fungus — what can you do?

Choose species that honey fungus rarely attacks (e.g. Vaccinium). A deep barrier (45 cm) of rubber sheeting in the soil blocks the bootlaces; regular deep cultivation breaks them.

Phytophthora root rot — what can you do?

Improve drainage; do not plant sensitive species on heavy, waterlogged soils. For a local outbreak, destroy the plants and replace the soil in the root zone; plant a less susceptible species.

Sources (18) Checked 24 October 2026

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