If you’re looking to grow your own kiwis, there’s one quirky bit of botany you need to know: most kiwi plants are “dioecious.” In plain English, that means they have distinct genders. To get those fuzzy fruits we all love, you need a male plant nearby to pollinate the female ones. The good news? One lucky male kiwi can actually pollinate several females at once!
How to Spot a Male Kiwi
So, how do you tell the boys from the girls? It’s all in the flowers. Male kiwi blossoms are packed with bright yellow, pollen-covered stamens in the center. Unlike the female flowers, they lack the white, star-shaped “styles” (the stalks that lead to the ovary). That missing white center is the biggest giveaway that you’re looking at a male plant.
Since the males are the VIPs of the pollination process, placement is key. You’ll want to plant your male and female vines along their trellises no more than 13 feet (4 meters) apart. As long as they’re within that radius, one male can successfully pollinate up to seven female plants.
Popular Male Kiwi Varieties
When it comes to choosing a pollinator, you’ll want to match the variety to the type of kiwi you’re growing. “Nostino” is the go-to for mini kiwis (the smooth-skinned ones), while “Matua” is the heavy hitter for the classic fuzzy, large-fruited varieties.
Kiwi arguta “Nostino”
If you’re growing smooth-skinned “hardy kiwis” (botanically known as *Actinidia arguta*), Nostino is your best friend. This variety is a powerhouse pollinator—one Nostino vine can handle eight or nine female plants, ensuring you get a massive, reliable harvest of those sweet, bite-sized fruits.
Just a heads-up: Nostino is a vigorous grower! Give it at least 5 feet of space from its neighbors. You’ll also want to give it a good pruning once a year in the summer to keep its wild vines under control and the plant healthy.
Kiwi chinensis “Matua”
While Nostino takes care of the hardy kiwis, “Matua” is the universal pollinator for the *Actinidia chinensis* family. These are the classic fuzzy kiwis with the tangy green flesh that you find at the grocery store.
If you want to grow these tropical favorites in your backyard, you’ll definitely want a Matua nearby. A single Matua can typically pollinate up to ten female vines. A big pro-tip: Matua is especially great because it blooms early, making it the perfect match for female varieties that get an early start in the spring.
