The kiwi plant is a vigorous climbing shrub that’s perfect for covering trellises, arbors, and sunny house walls. Because these vines love to reach for the sky, they really need a sturdy support system to thrive.
Generally, there are three main types of support systems you can use:
- Professional cable systems designed specifically for climbers
- Wooden lattices, trellises, or pergolas
- DIY systems built with wooden posts and wire
Tips for Setting Up Your Supports
Kiwi vines grow incredibly fast! To keep those tender young shoots from getting tangled or damaged, you’ll want to have your support system ready to go before you even get your plants in the ground. This applies whether you’re planting in a garden bed or growing kiwis in containers.
Having a structure in place from day one allows you to guide the plant’s growth and shape it exactly how you want. Just a heads-up: if you’re growing large-fruited varieties, make sure your trellis is extra sturdy—those kiwis can get surprisingly heavy as they ripen!
Choosing the Right Support
You’ve got plenty of options here. You can go with ready-made stainless steel cable systems (available at most garden centers or online), or you can build a classic post-and-wire system by placing vertical wooden posts with wires stretched between them at a sunny, suitable spot in your yard.
Another great look is using wooden lattices or pergolas, either freestanding or attached to a wall. Much like grapevines, kiwis create a gorgeous “green roof” that provides natural shade and a cozy, Mediterranean vibe for your patio.
DIY Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to build your own support system using wooden posts and wire, here’s a simple way to do it:
- Drive several sturdy wooden posts into the ground, spacing them about 5 to 6.5 feet apart.
- Attach horizontal tension wires to the posts, spaced about 20 to 28 inches apart vertically.
- Plant one kiwi vine at the base of each post.
- Secure the main trunk to the post using soft garden ties (like rubber grafting tape or soft twine) to avoid choking the vine.
As your kiwi grows, you can train the side shoots horizontally to the left and right along the wires. Let the fruit-bearing branches drape over the nearest wires. Over time, your kiwi will fill out into a lush, vine-like canopy that looks absolutely stunning with its thick leaves and hanging fruit!
