Hardy Kiwi Live Plants – Anna Female & Meader Male - Kiwi Berries

Scientific name: Actinidia arguta

Meader Hardy Kiwi and Anna Hardy Kiwi Plants for Sale

Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta), also called kiwi berry, is a vigorous deciduous fruit vine that produces grape-sized kiwis with smooth edible skin. These plants are offered as Anna (Ananasnaya) female vines, Meader male pollinators, or a male-and-female pair.

Important: Hardy kiwi plants are male or female. A female vine produces fruit only when a compatible male vine flowers nearby. For the simplest setup, choose an Anna female and Meader male pair.

Choose Your Plant

• Anna (Ananasnaya) female: Produces edible fruit and requires a male pollinator.
• Meader male: Provides pollen but does not produce fruit.
• Female and male pair: The recommended option for gardeners starting without another compatible hardy kiwi nearby.

One established Meader male can pollinate up to six female hardy kiwi vines when their bloom periods overlap.

What Do Hardy Kiwi Leaves Look Like?

Hardy kiwi vines have broad, green, deciduous leaves arranged along vigorous twining stems. The foliage creates a dense leafy screen when vines are trained on a fence, arbor, pergola, or trellis. Leaves naturally yellow and drop in autumn as the vine enters winter dormancy, so leafless plants during the dormant season are normal.

Hardy kiwi is grown primarily for its fruit and vigorous foliage rather than the variegated pink-and-white leaves associated with some ornamental kiwi species.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun for the best flowering and fruit production; tolerates partial shade
• Hardiness zones: 3–8
• Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
• Spacing: 12–15 feet apart
• Mature growth: Vigorous climbing vine, commonly 20–30 feet with support
• Support: Requires a strong arbor, fence, pergola, or trellis
• Bloom time: Spring
• Harvest: Late summer to fall, depending on climate

When Will Hardy Kiwi Produce Fruit?

Young vines need time to establish. Fruiting often begins about 3–5 years after planting, although timing varies with plant age, climate, sunlight, pruning, and care. Both a mature female and a compatible flowering male must be present.

What You’ll Receive

You will receive the live plant size and quantity selected above. Plants ship well-rooted in 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch nursery pots. Height, fullness, and seasonal appearance naturally vary.

Hardy kiwi is deciduous. Plants may arrive dormant and without leaves from approximately November through April. Yellowing or falling leaves in autumn are a normal part of dormancy.

Planting and Care

• Give these plants space 12+ feet apart; they really do grow very large
• Do not plant in pots; winter root rot is common, and pots increase winter cold and freeze/thaw cycles.  A healthy root system of a mature plant would not fit in a pot.
• Plant promptly and water deeply after planting.
• Keep the root zone evenly moist while the vine becomes established.
• Train new growth onto a sturdy support.
• Prune established vines to manage size and encourage productive growth.

Arrival Support

Unpack promptly after delivery. If there is a problem on arrival, contact us within 24 hours and include clear photos so we can help.

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