The kiwi plant needs very warm summers, mild winters and frost-free springs to thrive. In Germany, the best yields can be achieved in wine-growing regions. Particularly frost-resistant varieties are successfully cultivated even in harsh locations.
Can you grow kiwis successfully in Germany?
Kiwis can be grown in Germany, especially in wine-growing regions. Frost-resistant varieties such as mini kiwis are suitable for colder areas. Plant in early summer, choose sheltered, warm locations and plant at least one male and one female plant for pollination.
Kiwi is a climbing, deciduous shrub that is easy to care for, robust and has a reliable yield in the optimal location. The fruits of the creeping shrub, which comes from China, are available in German supermarkets all year round. The exotic climbing fruit is now also conquering home gardens.
Variety suitable for every climate
A large selection of different kiwi varieties makes it difficult for the garden owner to decide. When purchasing, you should first and foremost ensure that the variety on offer is frost-resistant enough for the given climatic situation.
Large-fruited kiwis produce good yields in wine-growing regions with mild winters, while the much more robust mini kiwis, which bear small, smooth fruits, can withstand temperatures down to -30° C without damage and are therefore also suitable for colder areas.
Planting and care instructions
The kiwi plants you purchase should preferably be planted in early summer so that they are well established by the onset of winter and have a better chance of overwintering. The shrubs that are planted in autumn should perhaps be overwintered in a pot frost-free for the first year or the root area should be well protected from frost in the open field with mulch, leaves and brushwood.
When choosing a location, it is also important to ensure that it is as sheltered from the wind and warm as possible. A south or southwest wall with a trellis or pergola in front of it as a climbing aid is ideal. The soil should be nutrient-rich and slightly acidic. Since kiwis are dioecious, you need at least one male and one female plant, with the distance between the two being about 1-4 meters.
Tips & Tricks
Many of the particularly frost-resistant mini kiwi varieties are self-pollinating, so you can get by with just one kiwi plant and enjoy the delicious, smooth-skinned kiwis from your own garden.