The large-fruited kiwi varieties of the Chinese ray pen (Actinidia chinensis) need a lot of warmth and can only grow in wine-growing regions with mild winters. The particularly frost-resistant varieties of the sharp-toothed ray pen (Actinidia arguta), on the other hand, also thrive in colder areas.
Which kiwi varieties are suitable for growing in hardy regions?
Winter-hardy kiwi varieties are the frost-resistant representatives of the sharp-toothed ray pen (Actinidia arguta), such as the Bavarian kiwi or Weiki. These mini kiwi varieties are hardy down to -30°C and can produce good yields in colder climates in Germany.
The easy-care kiwi bush is well suited for growing in the home garden. The large-fruited kiwi variety Heyward, which you can buy in German supermarkets all year round, is not very winter hardy and can be damaged at -10° C. It is therefore only suitable for cultivation in regions with mild winters. The much more frost-hardy small-fruited mini kiwi varieties, e.g. B. the so-called Bavarian kiwi or Weiki, are hardy down to -30° C and produce good yields even in colder climate zones in Germany.
Kiwi as an outdoor plant
If you plant the kiwis in a protected, windless location, for example on a south or south-west house wall, they are already well protected from extreme weather and frost. For young plants, especially those planted in autumn, it is still advisable to provide additional winter protection for the root area with a thick layer of mulch, leaves or brushwood. If the kiwis are planted in early summer, they have a better chance of getting through the winter without damage.
Kiwi as a container plant
Keeping the kiwi in the pot is made difficult by the creeping bush's rapid growth. The kiwi plants can climb 10 meters or higher. The following should be noted for bucket kiwis:
- choose a sufficiently hardy, slow-growing variety for your region,
- Overwinter young kiwi plants in a frost-free and dark place in their first year, e.g. B. in a cold basement or in a garage,
- For older plants, loosely wrap the pot and the root area with garden fleece and fill the cavities with leaves.
Tips & Tricks
Since the mini kiwis sprout relatively early in spring, additional protection against late frosts is advisable.
