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Hardy Kiwi

Actinidia arguta

Also listed as Trochostigma argutum

Also known as Hardy Kiwifruit, Baby Kiwi, Baby Kiwifruit

vine☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate water❄ Hardy: Zone 3a – Zone 9b

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A vigorous deciduous vine bearing small, sweet, edible kiwi fruits without fuzz. Hardy to colder climates than fuzzy kiwis, it produces ornamental white flowers and is excellent for trellises, pergolas, and arbors.

Why grow it

Hardy kiwi extends kiwi cultivation into colder zones (typically zones 4-5) where fuzzy kiwis cannot survive. The smooth-skinned fruits are sweeter and more palatable fresh than fuzzy kiwis, requiring no peeling, while the plant's ornamental white flowers and vigorous growth habit make it productive as both food and landscape feature on vertical structures.

Watch out for

Male and female flowers appear on separate plants, so growers need both a pollinator and a fruiting vine to reliably set fruit. Vines require sturdy support and annual pruning to manage their vigorous growth and maintain productivity. Young plantings may take several years to reach full bearing capacity.

Overview

Form
Spreading
Growth Rate
fast
Size
15–30′ tall × 10–20′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Family
Actinidiaceae
EdiblePollinators & beneficial insects

Native Range

Eastern Asia (Russia, China, Japan)

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Edible Parts

fruit

Season of Interest

SpringSummerFall

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Companion Planting

Plants well with