Actinidia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 18th Oct 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Actinidia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

At a Glance

Plant Characteristics: Actinidia, better known as the 'Kiwi', produces fuzzy brown-skinned fruits packed with flavor and nutrients. Its vigorous climbing habit and sweet-scented flowers make it both ornamental and fruitful.
Ideal Growing Conditions: Kiwi plants love full sun to partial shade, and a well-draining soil. Provide a sturdy support structure to support their vigorous growth.
General Care: Regular watering is key, especially during fruit development. Pruning is crucial in winter for fruiting varieties, as this helps to maximize yield.
Tips for New Gardeners: Actinidia is an exciting choice for those wishing to grow their own fruit. Male and female plants are needed for fruit production, so ensure you have the right combination.

Kiwi Fruit, Kiwi Vine, & Chinese Gooseberries: Cultivation & Garden Use

The common names for the Hardy perennial Actinidia include Chinese gooseberry and Kiwi vine.

They typically flower in the late summer to autumn, and bear the popular kiwi fruit.

Actinidia
Actinidia photograph by Pizzodisevo

Although they have the common name of Chinese Gooseberry, they are not related to the fruit of the same name.

Latin names for chinese gooseberries and related plants include Actinidia polygama, Actinidia arguta, Actinidia kiwi and Actinidia issai.

Description of Kiwi vine, Chinese Gooseberry

Where are chinese gooseberries from? Actinidia genus plants such as the kiwi Vine are mainly deciduous and originate from North east asia (they were brought to New Zealand for commercial purposes).

The vines can grow to as large as 350 to 400 cm on fences and walls. Actinidia has purple hued leaves when young, as the plant matures these change colour to be pink and white.

How to grow Kiwi - Chinese gooseberries and other Actinidia

It is best to sow Actinidia at a depth of 1/4 cm (1/10 inch), either singular or with a spacing of 60 to 75 cm ( 24 to 30 inches) in the spring or autumn.

Actinidia plants like both sun and shade, but for best results should be grown in full sunlight. This will help them to produce vibrant colours.

The soil should be well drained, humus rich, fertile and moist.

Actinidia requires between 60 and 90 days to germinate.

If starting seeds off inside, it is best to do so in October or November then transplant them in the early spring, whilst there is still a chance of a light frost.

Caring for Actinidia in the Garden

The Kiwi Vine (Actinidia) requires watering in the dry days of summer.

It is also necessary to supply a trellis as support for the the plant.

The vines should be pruned in the spring, and tidied up when necessary.

Kiwi vine goes by many other names including, Arguta, Bower arguta, Bower actinidia, Kolomikta Vine, Silver vine, Tara vine and Yang Tao.

Grow Your Paradise (Help to Support this Site)

Seed Success: Start Strong with this Ultimate Seed Starter Kit
Elevate your gardening game today by securing your Reusable Seed Starter Tray Kit. Get this must-have for any gardening enthusiast on Amazon and give your seedlings the head start they deserve. Embark on your journey to a bountiful harvest with confidence.
Garden Mastery: Unleash Your Potential with the Essential Tool Set
Boost your gardening with the CHRYZTAL Gardening Tool Set. Get this essential kit on Amazon for effortless gardening. A good set of tools is key to a thriving garden; make every cut count. Cultivate with ease and watch your garden flourish.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you buy through links on my site, it supports Gardener's HQ, my small independent gardening site. Your support enables me to continue providing top-notch gardening guides and tips. Thank you for helping this site grow!

Actinidia Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Chinese gooseberry, Kiwifruit, mangüeyo, ArgutaHardy kiwi, Miyamamatatabi, Silver vine, Kolomikta vine.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: Shrubs up to 20 feet (6 m), Vines up to 100 feet (30 m).
Native: Eastern Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 9.
Flowers: Late summer.
Flower Details: White to yellow. Fragrant. Five or six petals. Solitary or in cymes. Plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers on different plants (female flowers lack pollen and nectar), be sure to grow both male and female if you are planning to harvest fruits.
Fruit: Best fruits are produced in warmer climates. Large berry. Small seeds. Most species have edible fruit Actinidia deliciosa, the Fuzzy Kiwifruit is an especially popular supermarket fruit nowadays, it is oblang and about 2.5 inches (6 cm) long.
Foliage: Woody. Simple. Alternate leaves. Oval to circular. Long petiole. Red hairs on young leaves. Dark green.
Sow Outside: Seeds: 1/8 inch (3 mm). Start of spring - before the last light frost, or towards the end of autumn.
Sow Inside: October and November. Germination time: two to three months. Temperature: 50°F (10°C). Transplant outdoors in spring or autumn. Space at about two feet (60 cm) apart if growing for fruit, or singly if growing as an ornamental vine (unlikely to set fruit, unless other vines are growing in the vicinity).
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or shade. Good drainage. Humus rich, fertile soil. Keep moist. Plant both sexes to ensure fruit set. Early spring prune. Thin out stems. Provide trellis. Regular watering during dry periods. Will take two years to flower. Propagate: by taking cuttings in the summer.
Family: Actinidiaceae
Closely Related Species: Sladenia and Saurauia.
Miscellaneous: If you are planning to grow Actinidia kolomikta (Miyamamatatabi) for its berries, then beware that cats are crazily attracted to the plant and will often destroy it; even growing Nepeta cataria is unlikely to distact a cat!

Common Questions

How many members does the Actinidia genus have?

The Actinidia genus contains around 67 species, including the kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa).

Do members of Actinidia make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Actinidia vines can be a wonderful addition to the garden for their decorative heart-shaped leaves and the delicious fruits produced by some species.

Which Actinidia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Actinidia deliciosa, known for producing the kiwi fruit, and Actinidia kolomikta, prized for its variegated foliage, are often grown by gardeners.

Are members of the Actinidia plant genus fragrant?

Some species of Actinidia, such as Actinidia polygama (silver vine), have fragrant flowers. The scent is often described as complex and pleasant.

What is the perfect location to grow Actinidia?

Actinidia plants prefer a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-drained soil. They need a strong support structure, as they can grow quite large.

Is Actinidia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Actinidia is not currently considered invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Actinidia plants from my garden?

Removing Actinidia involves cutting back the vines and digging up the root system. Persistent removal of new growth may be needed.

Summary

The Actinidia genus, a member of the Actinidiaceae family, includes about 60 species of woody plants known for their fruits. The most famous member is Actinidia deliciosa, the kiwi fruit vine. These plants are native to East Asia and are characterized by their spiraling, twining stems and large, simple leaves.

Actinidia plants prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They require a sturdy support structure to climb and can grow quite large. These plants are dioecious, meaning you need both male and female plants to produce fruit. While they can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, they prefer slightly acidic soil for optimal fruit production.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Actinidia plants. You may also enjoy the following growing guides:

How to grow kolomikta and Squawberry.

Elevate Your Gardening Game

Weekly Growing & Care Guides for Your Inbox!

Find the insights on this site valuable? Then you're going to love my book: 'The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide'.

Purchase Now & Enjoy a Discount

Upon purchase, receive the eBook in PDF, MOBI (for Kindle), and ePub (most e-readers and iPad) formats. Also available from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and iBooks.

Gardener's HQ