Actinidia chinensis aka Kiwi

Taxonomy

Actinidia chinensis, known commercially as the golden kiwifruit, is a deciduous, perennial fruiting vine native to southwestern China. It is closely related to Actinidia deliciosa, which is the source of the most common commercial kiwifruit, and is dioecious, meaning both male and female plants must be grown in order for pollination to occur. It has stout shoots covered in red-brown hairs, and can produce clusters of two to three creamy white flowers in early summer, followed by ovoid-oblong, bristly-skinned, greenish brown fruit. Kiwi Fruit is a super rare houseplant that needs regular watering to thrive, and should be kept less than 1 foot from a window in light direct light and well-draining soil. Supplementing with a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season is recommended.

Common names

Kiwi, Golden Kiwifruit, Gold Kiwifruit

How to care for Kiwi

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Kiwi is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Kiwi should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Kiwi loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Kiwi prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Kiwi plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Region of origin

Kiwi’s native range is E. Asia - China.


More info:
Wikipedia