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Kiwi Planting & Growing Guide


Forget those fuzzy Kiwis you’re used to from the grocery store. Prolific Kiwis are "smooooooth" and oh so sweet! In addition, Prolific Kiwi are cold-hardy and self-fertile so you don’t need to plant more than one vine in order to get fruit as with other varieties. These Kiwi fruits are smaller than the Kiwis you’re used to, with fuzz-free, edible skins and a sweet-tart flavor. Follow our guidelines to give your Kiwi vine everything it needs to reward you with a hefty harvest each year!

Planting Guide Information

  • Planting Depth
    Bareroot: Crown 1-2 in. below soil line. Potted: At Soil Line. Mulch to keep soil cool.
  • Planting Proximity
    8 ft. with strong vertical support; similar to grapes. Needs wind protection.
  • Planting Season
    Spring
  • Plant Benefits
    Nutritious fruit!
  • Water Quantity
    Moderate
  • Bloom Season
    Late Summer to Fall. Self-pollinator.
  • Sunlight Quantity
    Full to Partial Sun
  • Hardiness Zones
    Zones 4-7

Additional Growing Information

Where to Plant Kiwi

Plant Kiwi in full sun in well-draining soil. In areas with heavy clay or poor-draining soil, it’s best to plant in a large container or raised bed. Choose a spot where there is a trellis or other structure for the vine to climb up and room for it to spread out.


When to Plant Kiwi

Plant Kiwi in the spring when the danger of frost has passed.


How to Plant Kiwi

  • Find a location with full sun and well-draining soil. If you notice that water still puddles 5 to 6 hours after a hard rain, it's best to find a different spot or plant in a raised bed or large container.
  • Plant your Kiwi as soon as possible after it arrives. If you can’t plant immediately, make sure to give the plant a drink of water and set it somewhere out of direct sun and wind until you can get it planted.
  • For a potted plant, dig a hole the same depth as the nursery container. Remove the plant from the container and set in the hole. Fill the hole with soil and tamp down firmly.
  • For a bare-root plant, dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the roots. Mound the soil slightly in the bottom of the hole and spread the roots over it. The crown of the plant should be even with the soil line. Fill the hole with soil and tamp down firmly.
  • Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

    • How to Grow Kiwi

    • Water at least once a week, more often in warm weather; 1 in. of water at a time is a good estimate.
    • Add a light mulch of compost to the surrounding soil to improve drainage, reduce evaporation, and keep competing weeds at bay.
    • Apply a half-strength high-phosphorus fertilizer once in the spring and again in mid-summer. Avoid over-fertilizing, which will lead to lush growth but fewer blooms.

    Kiwi Tips & Tricks

    • Harvest the Kiwi fruit in the fall when they are juicy, the seeds are black, and the flavor is sweet-tart. Ripeness is best determined by tasting.
    • Kiwi vines only fruit on new wood, so prune the vines when they are dormant to remove the branches that already bore fruit, as well as dead or broken branches.
    • Prune the vines again in the summer when there are blossoms but the fruit hasn’t set yet. At that time, cut each branch back to just 4 to 6 leaves beyond the last blossom. This will prevent too-long branches from breaking with the weight of the fruit.

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