Hardy kiwi Actinidia arguta
Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Actinidiaceae family, native to Northeast Asia (Japan, Korea, Russian Far East, northern China). It grows 5–9 m (16–30 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 3.5 m (11 ft) apart.
Plan Hardy kiwi in your garden →
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Hardy kiwi at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Actinidiaceae |
| Mature height | 5–9 m (16–30 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3.5 m (11 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Northeast Asia (Japan, Korea, Russian Far East, northern China) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States |
| Invasive in | US (Northeast, locally naturalising): check local rules before planting |
Is Hardy kiwi toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Fruit and foliage are not listed as toxic, though cats are attracted to the vines and may damage them.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Hardy kiwi
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Hardy kiwi
- How far apart should I plant Hardy kiwi?
- About 3.5 m (11 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Hardy kiwi need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Hardy kiwi need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Hardy kiwi?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Hardy kiwi flower?
- From about June for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Hardy kiwi poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Fruit and foliage are not listed as toxic, though cats are attracted to the vines and may damage them.
- What grows well with Hardy kiwi?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hardy kiwi. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center: chilling requirements by species and cultivar, University of California, Davis
Notes and assumptions
- Dioecious: plant one male for 5-8 females (self-fertile cultivars such as Issai exist); chill roughly 700-1000 hours (estimate); buds break early so frost damage to shoots is common.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Kiwifruit Actinidia deliciosa
- Kolomikta kiwi (variegated kiwi vine) Actinidia kolomikta
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Grapevine Vitis vinifera