Gardening Edible Gardening Growing Fruit Kiwi By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on July 19, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Clusters of fuzzy, brown kiwifruits have an unassuming presence, but once you slice one open you'll be taken with the fruit's sweet, tangy flavor and luscious green flesh. Packed with vitamins, kiwifruits offer many health benefits. This vigorous and productive vine is perfect for growing over an arbor or pergola; it will cast deep shade on the area below. It takes several years for a newly planted vine to come into production, but the wait is worth it. Kiwi vines are male and female; you need one of each for fruit. A pair of vines will usually produce enough fruit for the home garden. Kiwi Overview Genus Name Actinidia deliciosa Common Name Kiwi Plant Type Perennial, Vine Light Part Sun, Sun Height 8 to 20 feet Width 18 to 30 feet Flower Color White Season Features Spring Bloom Zones 10, 11, 8, 9 Propagation Leaf Cuttings, Stem Cuttings Harvesting Kiwi Kiwifruits take about 5 months after achieving full size to develop the desired taste and texture. Test for maturity by picking one and allowing it to soften at room temperature for a few days before eating it. If it tastes sweet, pick all the fruits and keep them refrigerated. Fruits can stay on the vine as long as there is no threat of frost. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit