Variegated Kiwi Vine (Actinidia Kolomikta) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 31st Jan 2024
- Plant Characteristics: Notable for its variegated foliage, which often turns pink and white, and fragrant white flowers. Actinidia kolomikta is a vigorous climber, offering a stunning display on walls, trellises, and fences.
- Growing & Care: Prefers well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded spot. It's essential to provide a sturdy support structure for climbing. Pruning can be done in winter to maintain shape and promote better air circulation.
- Tips for New Gardeners: This plant is a great choice for beginners looking to add a climbing feature to their garden. Be mindful of its rapid growth; regular pruning and training are necessary to keep it under control.
The Actinidia kolomikta species is more commonly known as the Variegated Kiwi Vine or Kolomikta Vine.
As a member of the Chinese gooseberry family, it is native to the temperate mixed forests of the Eastern Asiatic Region (Far Eastern Russia, Korea, Japan, and China.)
Actinidia kolomikta at Barrington Court photograph by je_wyer.
It is a woody, fast-growing vine that is well suited for use on trellises, arbors, patio overheads, fences, screens, or walls.
It is popularly cultivated as an ornamental plant, as it has beautiful pink and white leaves. Variegated kiwi Vine also produces tiny berries, these edible fruits are similar to kiwi, but much smaller.
Some people grow Actinidia kolomikta for its fruit, but be aware that it will multiple male and female plants to be successful.
Fruits of the Arctic Kiwi Vine (Actinidia kolomikta), photograph by Leonora (Ellie) Enking; CC.
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Kolomikta Vine (the Variegated kiwi vine).
You can start growing variegated kiwi vines from softwood cuttings, layering, or grafting.
The Variegated Kiwi Vine can also be readily propagated from seed.
Actinidia kolomikta plants are able to grow comfortably in many different soil types, including chalk, sand, clay, and loam, so long as it is well-drained.
This plant is a hardy kiwi that is much better for growing in colder climates than related plants in the Actinidia genus.
It prefers to be located in an area that has full sun. Otherwise its foliage will not reach the boldest colors possible. Some partial shade will not harm the plant to a great degree, it just won't be as vibrant.
When properly managed, this plant will flower in late spring or early summer.
Relatively maintenance-free, the Variegated Kiwi Vine does not have any major issues with pests or diseases.
Because of its climbing nature, this Vine will need to have its flowers pruned back to control and direct growth.
Any flowers and growth from the previous year should be pruned back at the end of this season's flowering.
Flowers of the Hardy kiwi, Image by Erutuon; CC.
Fruits of the Arctic Kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta), photograph by Leonora (Ellie) Enking; CC.
Flowers from this year's growth can then be pruned towards winter's end.
Plants grow at an average pace, and are generally easy to keep tidy and care for.
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Actinidia kolomikta Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Actinidia kolomikta
- Common Name: Kolomikta Vine, Variegated kiwi vine, Arctic Kiwi, Michurin actinidia, Miyamatatabi, Kolomikta Kiwi Vine.
- Native: East Asia (Temperate mixed forests).
- Growing Zone: USDA: 4 to 8. RHS H5: hardy to −15°C (5°F), but elsewhere reported to be hardy to −40°C (−40°F).
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Deciduous Scrambling Vine.
Plant Details
- Plant Height : 15 to 25 feet (5 to 8 m).
- Plant Spread : 6 to 19 feet (2 to 6 m).
- Time of Bloom: Early summer.
- Flower Details: Tiny. Green-white. Cup-shaped. Fragrant.
- Leaf Foliage: Cordate (Heart-shaped). Green, Often variegated pink and white and silver-tipped. Young leaves are purplish. Can reach about 5 inches (12.5 cm) in length.
- Fruit: Early Autumn. Small edible Kiwi fruit like berries. Smaller than Kiwi fruits (Length: 1 inch (2.5 cm); Weight: 2 to 5 g). Requires male pollinator and takes many years of growth to produce fruits.
- Growth Form: Climbing. Woody. Twining.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Partially shady to full sunlight Plants grown in shaded areas will have poorer leaf color.
- Rate of Growth: Above average to fast pace. Will take five to ten years to reach full height potential.
- Suitable Soil Types: Most soils, Average.
- Soil Moisture: Moist, Well drained.
- Care: Training and pruning required. Water in dry periods.
- Level of Maintenance: Low.
- Propagation: Softwood cuttings in spring or early summer. Seeds can be sown in spring or early autumn. Can also be propagated by layering or grafting.
- How to Prune: As a vigorous climber it is important to prune back flowers that occur on the last years growth following flowering, while flowers from this years growth should be pruned towards the end of winter. Other than this no need to perform pruning except to keep plants tidy and confined.
- Pests: Usually pest free.
- Diseases: Usually pest free.
Further Information
- Can Attract: Cats
- Tolerant of: Very cold conditions.
- Best Garden Use and Location: Arbor, Trellis, Ornamental plant, Screening, Covering Walls, Houseplant.
- Family: Actinidiaceae (360 species; 3 genera).
- Miscellaneous: Non-native to North America, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers / blooms. Growing Actinidia kolomikta in full sun will give the best leaf color. Do not over fertilize as this can also impact the foliage. If growing for fruit then both Female and Male plants are required. Grow at a Ratio of about 4 females : 1 male.
- Genus Detail: Actinidia
- Further Reading and References: RHS and MBG.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Actinidia kolomikta, the Variegated Kiwi Vine. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Passion Fruit, Climbing Fumitory, and Olives.
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