Plant Details

Actinidia chinensis

Kiwi

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Actinidia chinensis.

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Common names

29 names · 19 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese gooseberry[1]
  • Golden Kiwi[1]
  • Kiwi[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Other languages (18)
Dutch
  • Chinese Kruisbes[1]
  • Kiwi
French
  • Actinidie de Chine[1]
  • Kiwi[1]
  • Kiwi de Chine[1]
Arabic
  • كيوي ذهبي[1]
Catalan
  • Actinídia de la Xina[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 中华猕猴桃[1]
  • 猕猴桃[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 中華獼猴桃[1]
Czech
  • aktinidie čínská[1]
Danish
  • ægte kiwi[1]
German
  • Chinesischer Strahlengriffel[1]
  • Kiwi[1]
Italian
Japanese
  • シナサルナシ[1]
Korean
Lithuanian
  • Kininė aktinidija[1]
Polish
  • Aktinidia chińska[1]
  • kiwi[1]
Portuguese
  • Quiuí-amarelo[1]
Russian
  • Актинидия китайская[1]
Slovak
  • aktinídia čínska[1]
Turkish
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Actinidia chinensis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Chinese gooseberry — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Golden Kiwi — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Chinese Kruisbes — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Aktinidia chińska — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Kiwifruit — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • aktinidie čínská — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Actinídia de la Xina — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • シナサルナシ — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • 中华猕猴桃 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • 中華獼猴桃 — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Актинидия китайская — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Kiwi — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • kivi — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Kininė aktinidija — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Quiuí-amarelo — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • كيوي ذهبي — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • ægte kiwi — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • 猕猴桃 — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Kiwi — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Kiwi de Chine — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Actinidie de Chine — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Kiwi — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • kiwi — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • aktinídia čínska — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Chinesischer Strahlengriffel — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • Kiwi — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • 키위 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.
  • 양다래 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 55149; Actinidia chinensis.

General information

Scientific name: Actinidia chinensis
Accepted name (Kew): Actinidia chinensis Planch. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Actinidiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Actinidia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Kiwi
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Climber
Catalogue size class: Medium
Height: 7.00 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Climbing

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Fragrant

Description

The Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis) is an excellent choice for agroforestry applications due to its numerous benefits and uses. This vigorous climbing plant, native to China, is now cultivated worldwide for its delicious fruits. The Kiwi can climb up to 9 meters high and reach a width of up to 3 meters, with a moderate growth rate. This makes it an ideal choice for creating shade and providing support to other crops in agroforestry systems. Kiwis thrive best in a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. They prefer well-drained, fertile soils with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, indicating a balanced acidity level for optimal growth, where the soil is neither too acidic nor too alkaline. The fruits of the Kiwi are delicious eaten raw or cooked and contain small seeds that are easily edible. The leaves are also edible when cooked and are an excellent source of vitamin C and other nutrients. To allow the Kiwi to thrive, regular pruning is necessary to control growth and promote fruit production. A sturdy support is also required for climbing. In agroforestry systems, the Kiwi offers numerous benefits, including soil stabilization through its extensive root system, biodiversity through its attractiveness to pollinators and other animals, and food for animals and pollinators. These benefits make the Kiwi a valuable and desirable addition to any agroforestry system, not only providing a rich harvest but also contributing to a healthy and balanced ecosystem.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/10
Harvest ends: 15/11

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 823982; name ID 2620606; Actinidia Lindl.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 922394; name ID 2620644; Actinidia chinensis Planch..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Actinidia chinensis

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1914316, ID 64Q3F: Actinidia chinensis Planch. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Actinidia chinensis — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Growth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .