Kiwi Planting Guide
Growing kiwi in May
This page is about kiwi in general. For your zone's exact planting and harvest dates, pick your county below.
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How to water kiwi
About an inch of water a week keeps kiwi happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
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Where to put kiwi
kiwi wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant kiwi. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Kiwi vines produce fuzzy, tangy-sweet fruits and need both male and female plants for pollination. Hardy kiwi varieties (A. arguta) are suited to colder climates.
Actinidia deliciosa · Fruit · Actinidiaceae family · 1095–1825 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Kiwi Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Kiwi?
Kiwi Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Kiwi planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | — |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 24 | — |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 8 | — |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Kiwi is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Kiwi benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Kiwi
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 7a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
1095–1825 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Actinidiaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Actinidiaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Kiwi to Grow
Kiwi takes 1095–1825 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Kiwi
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Kiwi
Plant one male vine for every 6-8 female vines. Provide a very sturdy arbor or T-bar trellis. Prune heavily in winter. Protect young plants from frost in cold zones.
Saving Kiwi Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Kiwi by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Kiwi?
Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) takes 1095 to 1825 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Kiwi grow in?
Kiwi can be grown in USDA zones 7a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Kiwi need?
Growing Kiwi requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.