How to Grow Kiwifruit in Australia
A cool-season fruit for the long-term patch
Growing Kiwifruit at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated intermediate to grow. Saves ~$4-8/week, one mature vine produces 20-50 kg of fruit per season.
This guide covers when to plant Kiwifruit in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to plant it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Kiwifruit is a cool-season crop, half-hardy (it takes light frost but not a hard freeze). In subtropical South-East Queensland it is best planted in June, July and August. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Hayward
The standard green kiwifruit. Large, fuzzy skin, sweet-tart green flesh. The supermarket variety. Needs a male pollinator.
Try: Daleys Fruit, Flemings, specialist nurseries
Bruno
Elongated fruit with good flavour. Heavy bearer. Needs a male pollinator. Reliable in Australian conditions.
Try: Daleys Fruit, Flemings
Position and Soil
Give Kiwifruit full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 5.5 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It can be container-grown in 50cm+ with strong trellis, though it is happier in the ground.
Planting
Plant Kiwifruit into a well-prepared hole the same depth as the rootball and twice as wide. Allow about 400 cm between plants (more for full-size trees) so each has room and airflow. Water in well, stake if needed, and keep the area weed-free while it establishes.
Vigorous deciduous vine that needs a strong pergola, T-bar trellis or fence. Most varieties need both male and female plants for pollination (one male pollinates up to 8 females). Needs moderate chill hours. Best in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and cooler highlands. Wind protection essential. Heavy feeder. First real crop in year 3-4. Prune hard in winter to manage growth.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 15 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Scale, Passion vine hopper, Birds and Leaf roller. The main diseases to watch are Bacterial canker (Psa), Botrytis and Root rot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Kiwifruit is typically ready to harvest within roughly 24 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer). Fridge for 2-4 weeks. Freeze sliced for months.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, kiwifruit is good eaten fresh, scooped from the skin, sliced into fruit salads and pavlova, blended into smoothies and made into kiwifruit jam. Nutritionally: extremely high in vitamin C and good source of vitamin K and potassium.
Companion Planting
Kiwifruit grows well alongside Comfrey, Nasturtium and Marigold. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Kiwifruit Growing
Add kiwifruit to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Kiwifruit in Australia?
Kiwifruit is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is best planted in June, July and August. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Kiwifruit take to grow?
Kiwifruit is generally ready to harvest within roughly 24 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer).
How much sun does Kiwifruit need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Kiwifruit in the Plant Library
