The Arctic kiwi, an ornamental woody climber in the Actinidiaceae family native to temperate mixed forests of the Russian Far East, Korea, Japan and China. The Genus name comes from the Greek meaning ray referring to how the plant growth radiates like the spokes of a wheel. The specific epithet is the vernacular name of this plant in the Amur region of eastern Asia. The vine will grow 15 to 20 feet tall and does best with minimal shade in fertile, evenly moist soil. If propagating from seed, provide 3 months stratification (pre-treatment of the seed). Fresh seed will germinate in approximately 2 to 3 months. Plant outdoors after the last frost, late spring to early summer. Cuttings can also be a means of propagation. Pruning should be accomplished when the vine is dormant in winter and early spring. This vine is dioecious, having separate male and female plants; one male for every three to four females produces the best results. The small, slightly fragrant flowers are usually hidden among the leaves and occur in early summer. Young leaves have a purplish cast, while mature leaves are heart-shaped and variegated with white or pink. Fruit on female plants are 1 inch long, greenish and edible. They are mature in the fall. If it is not being grown for its fruit, grow the male alone, as the male has the more attractive variegation. It is a thick vine that creates dense shade. Its rapid growth is perfect for creating cover on trellises, fences, walls and overhead forms. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Cats are attracted to this plant in a manner similar to catnip. Young plants will need to be protected from feline damage.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing; Dense; Erect; Irregular; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Pink; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf value
Edible; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Male plants produce beautiful green foliage, variegated with pink and white-tipped in early summer. The optimum color will occur in full sun. Young foliage is a purple-green. The young leaves can be eaten once cooked. It can be used as an herb or added to soup.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The greenish-white flowers are mildly fragrant but not showy. They are tiny and often hidden by the dense foliage.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruits will only be produced if there are both male and female plants present. The fruits will be present on the female plant. They are produced on 2nd-year wood or fruit spurs of older wood.
Edible fruits which are popular in Russia where they have been cultivated to develop various traits, such as earliness, flavor, size and vitamin C content. The young leaves have been used as a put-herb in east Asia. The root extract has been found to contain anti-oxidant and anti-tumor activity through recent research in China.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Patio; Recreational Play Area; Vertical Spaces; Walkways