Crops › Kiwi (Fuzzy)
How to grow Kiwi (Fuzzy)
in the US
Sow March to November, plant out December, harvest July to October. About 730 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Growing your own kiwi fruit, well, it's a proper commitment, you know. But that sweet, tangy taste, fresh from the vine, it's just something else entirely. They need a bit of space and patience, mind, but they're cracking plants once they get going.
Sowing
Kiwi, they're from the Actinidiaceae family, medium difficulty, so not for the faint-hearted gardener. You'll want to sow seeds indoors, about 1/4 inch (6mm) deep, starting them in March or April, depending on your USDA zone. Some zones, like 8 or 9, can start earlier, even February. Keep the soil warm, around 70°F (21°C), on a windowsill or with a heat mat. It's a long haul, mind you, about 730 days from seed to first harvest, so don't expect instant gratification.
Growing on
Once your seedlings have a few true leaves, gently prick them out into individual pots. When all danger of last frost has passed, and they're a good size, you can start hardening them off for about 10-14 days. Plant them out in a sunny spot, somewhere with good drainage, giving them plenty of room, like 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) apart. They're proper climbers, so get a strong trellis or support ready from day one, like I say, they'll need it.
Looking after it
Kiwi plants need consistent moisture, especially when they're fruiting, but don't let them sit in soggy ground. A good layer of mulch around the base helps keep the soil moist and weeds down. Feed them a balanced fertilizer in spring. Planting companions like nasturtium or chives nearby can give them a bit of a boost, too.
What goes wrong
To be honest, you'll mostly be battling aphids and slugs with kiwi. Keep an eye out for aphids on new growth and blast them off with water, or use a bit of insecticidal soap if it gets bad. Slugs, well, they're always a pain, aren't they? Try beer traps or just go out at dusk with a flashlight and pick them off, it's a proper job.
Harvest
You'll typically be harvesting your kiwi in October or November, depending on your zone and when you planted. They often ripen after the first light frost, getting softer and sweeter. Pick them when they're still firm but have started to soften a little. Store them in a cool, dry place, and once they're fully ripe, pop them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for longer, you know what I mean.
I always prune my kiwi vines in winter when they're dormant, focusing on removing old wood and shaping them, keeps them productive and tidy.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Hayward Hayward is a cracking standard for fuzzy kiwi, known for its big, flavorful fruits. If you're after a really dependable crop with proper taste, this one's a solid choice for any backyard gardener. | No club votes yet |
| Saanichton 12 Saanichton 12 is another reliable performer, giving you a good harvest of tasty fuzzy kiwi. It's a hardy sort, well-suited for gardeners wanting a consistent crop. | No club votes yet |
| Bruno Bruno is a vigorous kiwi variety, producing a good quantity of firm, flavorful fruit. It's a sturdy plant that's chuffed to grow in most gardens, offering a dependable harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Monty Monty gives you a decent crop of medium-sized kiwi, known for its sweet flavor. It's a good all-rounder for anyone wanting a steady supply of home-grown fruit. | No club votes yet |
| Elmwood Elmwood is a dependable fuzzy kiwi, producing a good amount of fruit with a nice balance of sweetness and tartness. It's a fine choice for a regular harvest in your garden. | No club votes yet |
| Allison Allison is a productive female kiwi variety, known for its excellent fruit quality and yield. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a consistent producer of delicious kiwi. | No club votes yet |
| Abbott Abbott is a reliable early-season kiwi, giving you a good crop of medium-sized, sweet fruits. It's a cracking choice for those who want to get their harvest a bit sooner than other varieties. | No club votes yet |
| Matua (Male) Matua is a vigorous male kiwi vine, essential for pollinating your female fuzzy kiwi plants. You'll need one of these planted nearby to get a proper crop from your fruit-bearing varieties. | No club votes yet |
| Tomuri (Male) Tomuri is another strong male kiwi pollinator, crucial for ensuring your female plants produce fruit. Plant it close to your female vines and watch your yields improve, like I say. | No club votes yet |
| Kiko Kiko is a robust fuzzy kiwi variety, known for its good yields and reliable performance. It's a sturdy plant that does well in many conditions, giving you plenty of fruit. | No club votes yet |
| Gracie Gracie is a lovely fuzzy kiwi, offering a good harvest of sweet and juicy fruits. It's a solid, reliable choice for anyone wanting a tasty addition to their backyard. | No club votes yet |
| Greensill Greensill is a vigorous fuzzy kiwi, known for its consistent production of good quality fruit. It's a hardworking vine that'll reward you with plenty of kiwi if given the right care. | No club votes yet |
| Skelton Skelton is a dependable fuzzy kiwi, producing a good harvest of flavorful fruit. It's a sturdy choice for gardeners looking for a consistent and satisfying crop. | No club votes yet |
| Ruanui Ruanui is a robust fuzzy kiwi variety, offering a good yield of tasty fruit. It's a tough plant that performs well, making it a reliable addition to your garden. | No club votes yet |
| Road Star Road Star is a high-yielding fuzzy kiwi, known for its consistent production of large, flavorful fruits. If you're after a proper bounty of kiwi, this one's a cracking choice. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Kiwi (Fuzzy) seeds
Partner retailers. If you buy through these links we may earn a small commission. It never costs you more.
Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 4 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 5 | March to May | August to October |
| Zone 6 | March to November | July to October |
| Zone 7 | March to November | July to October |
| Zone 8 | February to November | July to November |
| Zone 9 | February to December | June to November |
| Zone 10 | November to February | June to November |
Cook the harvest
A dazzlingly vibrant, electric-green sorbet that captures fresh kiwi at its most intense. Blended with lime juice and a simple syrup, it freezes into a smooth, scoopable dessert that's refreshing, tangy, and a stunning palate cleanser between courses.
20 min · easyIndividual mini pavlovas — crisp outside, marshmallowy inside — piled with whipped cream and sliced kiwi. The bright acidity of kiwi cuts through the sweet cream and meringue perfectly, and the vivid green against the white looks stunning. An elegant dessert that's less intimidating than a full pavlova.
80 min · mediumA quick weeknight stir-fry where kiwi does double duty — as a natural meat tenderizer in the marinade and as a sweet-tart addition to the sauce. The result is exceptionally tender chicken in a glossy, fruit-forward sauce that's unlike any stir-fry you've had before.
30 min · easyA cloud of crisp-outside, marshmallow-inside meringue piled high with whipped cream and jewel-bright kiwi and strawberry slices. Pavlova is one of the most spectacular desserts you can put on a table, and remarkably achievable once you understand the process. The combination of kiwi's tartness with the sweet cream is irresistible.
115 min · challengingWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: nasturtium, chives, comfrey, white clover, yarrow, daffodils
Questions people ask
When do you sow Kiwi (Fuzzy) in the US?
Sow Kiwi (Fuzzy) from March to November in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out December, after the last frost.
How long does Kiwi (Fuzzy) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 730 days, with the harvest July to October.
Which Kiwi (Fuzzy) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Hayward, Saanichton 12, Bruno, Monty and more.
Track your Kiwi (Fuzzy) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.