Growing Kiwi Fruit in the UK: Your Complete Guide to an Exotic Harvest

Growing Kiwi Fruit in the UK – A Guide to Producing Your Own Exotic Harvest

Many gardeners are surprised to learn that kiwi fruits can be grown successfully in the UK. Often associated with New Zealand, kiwi plants actually originate from China and can thrive in British gardens when given the right growing conditions.

Over the last few years, interest in growing unusual fruits at home has increased dramatically. Alongside grapes, figs, and peaches, kiwi fruits have become one of the most rewarding fruits for gardeners looking to produce something a little different.

At GardenAdvice, we regularly advise MyGardenTeam members on growing kiwi fruits, and many are surprised by just how vigorous and productive these plants can become once established.

Can You Really Grow Kiwi Fruit in the UK?

The simple answer is yes.

Kiwi fruits grow surprisingly well throughout much of England and Wales, particularly in sheltered gardens in the South and Midlands. Successful crops are regularly produced in counties such as Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and Kent.

In recent years, warmer summers have made kiwi growing even more practical, with many plants producing crops that rival those grown commercially in cooler regions of Europe.

The key is providing a warm, sheltered position and allowing the plants enough time to establish.

Choosing the Right Kiwi Plant

Traditionally, kiwi fruits required separate male and female plants to ensure pollination. However, modern varieties such as Kiwi Fruit ‘Jenny’ are self-fertile and can produce fruit from a single plant.

For many home gardeners, Jenny remains one of the best varieties to grow because it combines:

• Good cold tolerance
• Reliable flowering
• Compact growth compared with traditional varieties
• No requirement for a separate pollinator plant

Although self-fertile, many gardeners find that fruit set improves when pollinating insects are active during the flowering period.

Where to Plant Kiwi Fruits

Kiwi plants love sunshine and shelter.

The ideal location is against a south-facing or west-facing wall where the brickwork absorbs heat during the day and releases it overnight.

They can also be trained over:

• Pergolas
• Arches
• Strong fences
• Wire support systems
• Verandas and covered seating areas

Many gardeners underestimate just how vigorous kiwi plants can become. Mature plants can easily produce several metres of growth each year and require substantial support.

Soil Requirements

Kiwi plants enjoy fertile, moisture-retentive soil that drains freely.

Before planting, improve the soil with:

• Well-rotted garden compost
• Leaf mould
• Well-rotted manure

Unlike some fruit crops, kiwi plants dislike prolonged drought. Consistent soil moisture throughout spring and summer is one of the keys to successful fruit production.

Mulching around the base of the plant each spring helps retain moisture and improve soil structure.

Feeding Kiwi Plants

Young kiwi plants benefit from a balanced fertiliser during spring to encourage strong growth.

Once flowering begins, switch to a high-potash feed such as liquid tomato fertiliser. This helps support flower development and fruit production.

Avoid excessive nitrogen feeding later in the season as this can encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit.

Understanding Kiwi Flowers

One of the most common questions we receive through our MyGardenTeam service concerns kiwi plants that flower heavily but fail to produce fruit.

A typical example comes from a Buckinghamshire gardener whose Kiwi ‘Jenny’ plants produced masses of flowers for several years. The flowers opened beautifully but then dropped off without forming fruit.

This is often caused by poor pollination.

Although Jenny is self-fertile, the flowers still need pollen to be transferred successfully. Bees and other pollinating insects usually perform this task, but cool, wet, windy, or excessively hot weather during flowering can reduce pollination rates.

The result is flowers that appear healthy but simply fall from the plant a week or two later.

Hand Pollination

If fruit set has been poor for several years, hand pollination can help.

Using a small paintbrush, gently transfer pollen between newly opened flowers on a dry morning. Many gardeners are surprised by the improvement in fruit production after carrying out this simple task.

Training and Pruning

Kiwi plants are trained in a similar way to grape vines.

A permanent framework of branches is established, with new fruiting shoots developing from these each year.

Winter pruning involves:

• Removing excessive growth
• Maintaining the framework
• Encouraging replacement fruiting wood

Summer pruning is often necessary to prevent plants becoming too vigorous and to allow sunlight to reach developing fruits.

Without regular pruning, kiwi plants can quickly become a tangled mass of growth.

How Long Before Fruiting?

Patience is often required.

Many kiwi plants spend the first few years establishing their root system and framework before producing significant crops.

It is not unusual for plants to flower before they are mature enough to carry fruit successfully.

Once established, however, a healthy kiwi plant can remain productive for many years.

Harvesting Kiwi Fruits

Unlike many fruits, kiwi fruits are often harvested before they are fully ripe.

In the UK, this is usually between October and November. The fruits are picked while still firm and allowed to soften indoors.

Stored correctly, kiwi fruits can remain usable for several weeks after harvest.

Common Problems

The good news is that kiwi plants suffer from relatively few pests and diseases in the UK. The most common issues include:

• Poor fruit set due to pollination problems
• Frost damage to young spring shoots
• Drought stress during hot weather
• Excessive growth caused by overfeeding

Fortunately, most of these problems are easily managed with good cultivation techniques.

A Fruit Worth Growing

For gardeners looking to grow something unusual, kiwi fruits offer a fascinating combination of attractive foliage, vigorous growth, and delicious home-grown fruit.

They can transform a sunny wall or pergola into a productive feature while providing a talking point for visitors who are often amazed to discover that kiwi fruits can be grown successfully in the UK.

With a little patience, careful feeding, and attention to pollination, kiwi plants can become one of the most rewarding fruits in the garden.

Need Help Growing Kiwi Fruits?

This advice is provided through the GardenAdvice MyGardenTeam service, where members can upload photographs, ask questions, and receive personalised advice based on the conditions in their own garden.

Whether you are growing kiwi fruits, grapes, figs, or traditional fruit crops, MyGardenTeam provides year-round support to help you get the best from your garden.