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Photo by Rob Hille

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Fuzzy Kiwi

Scientific Name: Actinidia deliciosa

Plant type

perennial, vine, fruit / vegetable

size

H: 15'-30'
W: 15'-30'

planting zones

8a-11

Fuzzy Kiwi plant details

Fuzzy Kiwi is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial fruit / vegetable or vine with green foliage. In spring cream and white flowers emerge followed by brown and green fruit. Features fuzzy texture. Attracts bees and beneficial insects making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Fuzzy Kiwi

Plant type: perennial fruit / vegetable or vine
Plant family: actinidiaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 15 FT - 30 FT - wide, 15 FT - 30 FT - tall
Flowers: cream and white blooms in spring
Uses: edible

GROWING CONDITIONS for Fuzzy Kiwi

USDA Zones: 8a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This is the species that brings you kiwifruit! A. deliciosa is a large, rampant, decidous vine that needs a structure or large tree to climb on and a lot of space in which to sprawl. It has brown fuzzy stems, large, rich green, heart-shaped, textured foliage, pure white flowers centred with masses of golden stamens and the fuzzy brown berries that we call kiwifruit. Full sun and rich soil are the best for fruit production though tolerant of part shade. Plant a male ('Tomori') and a female ('Hayward') to get fruit.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This plant produces kiwi like you see at the market. It is a fast growing but deciduous vine with large, rounded, dark green leaves on red velvety stems. Spring flowers are creamy white. A male is necessary for fruit production. Hardy and fuzzy varieties will generally pollinate each other, but the Arctic varieties flower too early for pollination by either the hardy or fuzzy kiwi males and vice versa. Pick your fuzzy kiwi when it is firm in late October to early November, before a killing frost and let them ripen at room temperature.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Big, lush foliage is reward enough for growing this vine, which also happens to provide very delicious fruit. Kiwi vines really make an impact – they grow to be quite large, over 30’ in ideal conditions, with luxurious, big fuzzy leaves, & new growth cloaked in red velvet. Moist, rich soil yields best results. Feed sparingly to avoid burning your plants. Kiwis are dioecious - plants are either male or female. Since our plants are grown from seed, it’s very hard to say whether you have one or the other before the plants flower. If you want to grow this vine for more than foliage & flowers (which are borne in clusters, & white), we suggest planting a few close together to increase your odds of getting fruit. Though the fruit is named for New Zealand’s national bird (which is also small, brown, roundish & furry) this species is actually from Southern China.