Kiwifruit Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Actinidia deliciosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-tih-NID-ee-uh chi-NEN-sis de-lis-ee-OH-sah
- Description
-
Actinidia deliciosa is a dioecious, woody vine usually selected as an addition to individual's gardens because of its kiwi fruit and leaves. Since this plant is dioecious, if you want it to fruit, you must plant both a male and a female plant of Actinidia deliciosa. The fruit has both nutritional properties and health benefits. It can be eaten raw and is added to salads.
It is susceptible to cold. Plants can freeze. The spring young shoots are very frost tender, a late frost can damage the plant. An early frost in the fall or winter can damage unharvested fruit.
When planting, choose the correct site, as this is a plant that does not as its roots disturbed once situated. A sturdy trellis is recommended. The young vines need to be trained. Situate with one straight trunk and one leader on each side. Protect from strong winds, as the plant can be damaged, and fruiting reduced.
Although there are numerous cultivars and varieties of this plant, many will not be found in the USA.
Meaning Behind the Name: Referring to a Greek word for ray, Actinidia's meaning shows itself in the shape of the plant since its vines spread out like rays or spokes. Deliciosa is much more obvious in meaning: delicious kiwi fruit!
Where to Plant: The overhead of a patio, the archway of an arbor, or even vertical spaces such as walls, fences, and trellises are just some examples of where this vine Actinidia deliciosa could grow.
Insect Pests, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests and diseases are not a major problem for this plant. Hairs on the fruits may cause throat irritation. The fruits also contain actinidin, an enzyme that can also cause irritation.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Abbott'
Small fruit. - 'Allison'
Large fruit. - 'Autari'
Grown in Italy. - 'Bruno'
High yield variety. - 'Californian Male'
Seed comes from China - 'Chico Male'
Seeds come from China - 'Donne'
Grown in warmer climate conditions of South Africa. - 'Elizabeth'
Female - 'Elmwood'
Has the largest fruit - 'Fatma'
Low yield variety. - 'First Emporer'
Female - 'Greensill'
Cyindrical fruit, flattened on both ends. - 'Hayward'
The primary male cultivar. Its fruit is larger, has a better appearance and superior flavor. - 'Koryoku'
Produced by open pollination of 'Hayward'. It is being grown in Japan. - 'Lushanxiang'
Female - fruit sold in USA - 'Matua'
Male cultivar. - 'McLean'
Male cultivar. - 'Montgomery'
Also called Monty, low yield, small fruit. - 'Moonya'
Male cultivar. - 'Qinmei'
Grown in China - 'Red Princess'
Female - 'Tere'
Smallest fruit. - 'Tewi'
Grown in the Canary Islands - 'Tomua'
Released in New Zealand, fruit can be harvested earlier than other cultivars. - 'Tomuri'
Male cultivar. - Top Star
A bud mutation of 'Hayward' with smooth hairless fruit. - 'Vincent'
Female. - 'Yellow Joy'
Female.
- 'Abbott'
- 'Abbott', 'Allison', 'Autari', 'Bruno', 'Californian Male', 'Chico Male', 'Donne', 'Elizabeth', 'Elmwood', 'Fatma', 'First Emporer', 'Greensill', 'Hayward', 'Koryoku', 'Lushanxiang', 'Matua', 'McLean', 'Montgomery', 'Moonya', 'Qinmei', 'Red Princess', 'Tere', 'Tewi', 'Tomua', 'Tomuri', Top Star, 'Vincent', 'Yellow Joy'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Abbott'
Small fruit. - 'Allison'
Large fruit. - 'Autari'
Grown in Italy. - 'Bruno'
High yield variety. - 'Californian Male'
Seed comes from China - 'Chico Male'
Seeds come from China - 'Donne'
Grown in warmer climate conditions of South Africa. - 'Elizabeth'
Female - 'Elmwood'
Has the largest fruit - 'Fatma'
Low yield variety. - 'First Emporer'
Female - 'Greensill'
Cyindrical fruit, flattened on both ends. - 'Hayward'
The primary male cultivar. Its fruit is larger, has a better appearance and superior flavor. - 'Koryoku'
Produced by open pollination of 'Hayward'. It is being grown in Japan. - 'Lushanxiang'
Female - fruit sold in USA - 'Matua'
Male cultivar. - 'McLean'
Male cultivar. - 'Montgomery'
Also called Monty, low yield, small fruit. - 'Moonya'
Male cultivar. - 'Qinmei'
Grown in China - 'Red Princess'
Female - 'Tere'
Smallest fruit. - 'Tewi'
Grown in the Canary Islands - 'Tomua'
Released in New Zealand, fruit can be harvested earlier than other cultivars. - 'Tomuri'
Male cultivar. - Top Star
A bud mutation of 'Hayward' with smooth hairless fruit. - 'Vincent'
Female. - 'Yellow Joy'
Female.
- 'Abbott'
- 'Abbott', 'Allison', 'Autari', 'Bruno', 'Californian Male', 'Chico Male', 'Donne', 'Elizabeth', 'Elmwood', 'Fatma', 'First Emporer', 'Greensill', 'Hayward', 'Koryoku', 'Lushanxiang', 'Matua', 'McLean', 'Montgomery', 'Moonya', 'Qinmei', 'Red Princess', 'Tere', 'Tewi', 'Tomua', 'Tomuri', Top Star, 'Vincent', 'Yellow Joy'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Actinidia
- Species:
- chinensis var. deliciosa
- Family:
- Actinidiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees pollinate the plant.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- light shade (dappled sunlight); insect pests, diseases,
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Edibility:
- Fruit is edible: it is sweet and tart.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fuzzy kiwi fruit is green when young, turning brown as it ages. The tart, sweet fruit ripens in the early fall. They contain antioxidants and phytonutrients. When it is slightly soft, it is ready to eat. If too soft, it's overripe and not edible. The fruit is produced on female vines.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are cream (or white/green), fragrant, insignificant (you cannot usually see them because of the large leaves), and bloom in late spring. However, flowers do not always bloom. The wood has to be at least a year old. The flowers will open white, but turn a yellow-orange. Covered with white hairs.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Shiny leaves that are dark green on top with silver-grey on the underside. The leaves are also a big reason (other than the fruit) that people grow this plant. These leaves are large, larger than the width of a person's hand and generally cover any spring flowers! The veins of this leaf can be easily seen, especially underneath the leaf where the mid-vein is sticking out a little bit. The lower surface is covered with white, star-shaped hairs. The veins are whitish-green and also covered with star-shaped hairs.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- New shoots are covered with stiff reddish-brown hairs. After the first year, they will have oblong lenticels (porous tissue).
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Patio
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
