How to Grow Kiwi

Kiwi fruits, the most common types being the actinidia deliciosa and actinidia arguta, are well known for their fuzzy exterior and sweet and refreshing taste. Being popular in the UK and USA since the 1950s, they originate from China but spread to New Zealand, where they are famously associated with, in the early 20th century.

Kiwis are a fantastic fruit to grow that have a wonderful flavour and contain many beneficial nutrients. Though they may be thought of as exotic fruits, certain varieties can be grown in the UK under the right conditions. With our in-depth growing guide below, you can discover the best ways to grow kiwi plants here in the UK to produce delicious, fresh-grown fruit. We’ve got expert tips on where to grow them, how to care for them, and everything you need to make your crop excellent.

When planting your kiwi plants, choose the site carefully, ensuring you give the plant enough space to develop. This is because once established, kiwi plants are difficult to move.

The soil that you plant them in should ideally be acidic and well-drained. Kiwi plants grow much better in fertile soil rich in organic matter, so adding garden compost or well-rotted manure is a great way to improve their growing conditions.

Sowing kiwi seeds presents some benefits in comparison to planting kiwi plants. Sowing kiwi seeds can feel more rewarding and be more cost-effective than planting. However, planting is often the preferred method, as they are more likely to reliably produce quality fruit. Sowing seeds means that there will be more genetic variation, meaning that they may not inherit the desirable traits of a previously successful plant.

If you do sow kiwi seeds, you should do so by first cleaning the seeds and then placing them on a damp paper towel, zipping them up in a reusable silicone bag and leaving them in a warm space, such as a windowsill, to germinate. They will typically do so in around two weeks.

Once the seeds begin to sprout, you should transfer your seeds to plant pots to give them the space they need to grow. To avoid disturbing the growing process, you can tear off small pieces of the paper towel and plant them with the seeds still attached. Again, you should keep them in an area that will provide them with the sunlight that they need.

After three to four months, you should harden off your plants, gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions to prepare them for transfer for around 7-10 days. Begin by exposing them for a couple of hours in the first few days, giving them more and more time over the following days each time. Once they can spend a full day and night without signs of stress, such as wilting or leaf burn, they are the

Planting kiwis in warmer weather is essential for giving them the best start possible, so you should plant them in spring. They should be planted deep enough to cover the roots well with soil and be watered well when initially planted.

To ensure that you get a good crop from your kiwi plants, you should plant male and female plants, roughly one male plant for every six female plants.

You should plant the kiwi plants against a fence or onto support wires placed 30 to 45cm (12-18in) apart. For more than one, plant 2 to 3m (6-10ft) apart. With regard to position, you should choose a sunny position that is sheltered from strong winds.

Can You Grow Kiwis in the UK?

If you’ve been wondering whether growing kiwis in the UK is actually possible, the answer is yes, despite originating from much further afield and being used to sunnier environments, you can grow these fruit plants in the UK. 

There are many varieties of hardy kiwis that lend themselves to being grown in the UK’s cooler climate, so growing kiwis in the UK is entirely possible as long as you choose the right type.

Kiwis aren’t difficult to grow, though caring for them attentively is essential as the UK’s unpredictable climate can lead to some occasionally unfavourable growing conditions. As a result, you should choose to grow Hardy kiwis, Kolomikta kiwis or Jenny kiwis, as these are all more capable of growing in colder climates.

How to Grow Kiwi Fruit in a Container in the UK

Growing kiwi fruit in a container presents some advantages over being planted in the ground and is an entirely doable way of growing a kiwi plant. Growing kiwi plants this way allows them to be much more manoeuvrable makes them ideal for keeping on balconies and is preferable if growing conditions where you are aren’t ideal. However, kiwi plants can grow very tall to heights of 10m (33ft), so can often outgrow containers and pots.

If you choose to grow a kiwi plant this way, you should ensure that the container is filled with nutrient-rich soil and is a large container with a minimum diameter of 18-24 inches and a depth of at least 24 inches. For drainage, you should ensure that your container has drainage holes and place gravel or terracotta shards at the bottom of the pot. Then, make a planting hole, place your kiwi plant in it and cover it with soil. You should then press down lightly and water the container thoroughly. After that, cover with a layer of mulch for additional nutrients and moisture retention.

Planting kiwis in warmer weather is essential for giving them the best start possible, so you should plant them in spring. They should be planted deep enough to cover the roots well with soil and be watered well when initially planted.

To ensure that you get a good crop from your kiwi plants, you should plant male and female plants, roughly one male plant for every six female plants.

You should plant the kiwi plants against a fence or onto support wires placed 30 to 45cm (12-18in) apart. For more than one, plant 2 to 3m (6-10ft) apart. With regard to position, you should choose a sunny position that is sheltered from strong winds.

Feeding

Kiwi plants most benefit from high-potassium feeds and fertilisers, such as blood, fish, and bonemeal, or nitrogen feed, to ensure they receive the nutrients they need for optimal growth.

Mulching

Adding a layer of mulch of organic material, composted bark, or compost can provide kiwi plants with further nutrients to support their growth. However, you should avoid contact with the vine, leaving a 5cm (2in) gap around the base of the stem to avoid rotting. This should be done in late winter and then once again in early spring for best results.

Protection from frost

Kiwi plants are able to withstand cold temperatures in winter while dormant, young shoots can experience frost damage in spring. To prevent this, your kiwi plants could benefit from being protected with garden netting, such as a crop cover or hessian.

Pruning and training

Kiwi fruits are vigorous climbers and can easily reach a great height, although they are best trained on horizontal wires on a warm wall and pruned to keep them in check. Be sure to check the plants regularly to ensure that the shoots are tied into the supporting framework.

You should prune your kiwi plants in winter for the best fruit production. During the first few years, you should trim them occasionally as required. After 3-4 years, the plant should be pruned annually to 8-12 shoots and thin out weak stems. Fruit is then borne on 2-3-year-old stems.

Typically, kiwi fruits will be ready for harvesting around September or October, usually around three to four years after they’ve first been planted. They are more likely to ripen outdoors in the UK if they experience a warm, long summer. Otherwise, you can harvest when the fruits are mature in autumn and ripen them off the vine.

The fruits will drop off or pull off easily when they are ripe. You can also harvest when fruits are mature and ripen them off the vine.

Problems

When growing kiwis, there are several common problems that they can suffer from that you should keep an eye out for. The following problems can occur with kiwis:

• Frost - Kiwi plants are prone to frost, so should be planted in frost-free growing seasons.
• Bugs - Kiwis can be prone to attracting certain bugs, such as leaf roller caterpillars. However, this can be easily controlled with pest control products.
• Fungal diseases - Diseases such as phytophthora root rot can affect kiwi plants in rare circumstances. The best solution in which case is to re-plant your plant in a different area. 
• Nutrient deficiencies - Kiwi plants can occur in alkaline soils, which can be acidified in the case of slightly alkaline soils to resolve the issue.
• Drought and drying winds - These conditions can lead to leaves withering, so keeping the plants well-watered and sheltered is vital.

Cats - Kiwi plants can sometimes be damaged by cats, so should be covered with protective wires or cloth to avoid damage from them.

When growing kiwis, there are several common problems that they can suffer from that you should keep an eye out for. The following problems can occur with kiwis:

• Frost - Kiwi plants are prone to frost, so should be planted in frost-free growing seasons.
• Bugs - Kiwis can be prone to attracting certain bugs, such as leaf roller caterpillars. However, this can be easily controlled with pest control products.
• Fungal diseases - Diseases such as phytophthora root rot can affect kiwi plants in rare circumstances. The best solution in which case is to re-plant your plant in a different area. 
• Nutrient deficiencies - Kiwi plants can occur in alkaline soils, which can be acidified in the case of slightly alkaline soils to resolve the issue.
• Drought and drying winds - These conditions can lead to leaves withering, so keeping the plants well-watered and sheltered is vital.
• Cats - Kiwi plants can sometimes be damaged by cats, so should be covered with protective wires or cloth to avoid damage from them.

At D.T. Brown Seeds, we stock a diverse variety of quality kiwi plants that are ideal for growing in the UK’s conditions and produce flavoursome fruit. We’re also brimming with expert advice when it comes to growing all varieties of our vegetables and fruits, so take a look at our gardening blog to discover our very best tips and tricks. If you’d like to find out more about our ranges of fruit seeds and plants and vegetable seeds and plants, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll gladly answer any questions you may have.