Description
Issai offers a rare combination among hardy kiwis: self-fertility and early production. This compact, manageable vine produces smooth-skinned kiwi berries with a clean, sweet flavor and can begin fruiting sooner than many other varieties. In our nursery, we often see Issai flowering even in 1-gallon pots, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most accessible and rewarding kiwi berries to grow.
Unlike most kiwi berries, which require both male and female vines, Issai is self-fertile and capable of setting fruit on its own. While yields and fruit size can improve with a male nearby, Issai remains a dependable option for growers who want fruit without committing space to multiple vines.
Kiwi berries—also known as hardy kiwi—are smooth-skinned, bite-size kiwis that you eat whole, skin and all. Unlike fuzzy kiwis from the grocery store, these grape-sized fruits require no peeling and soften slightly as they ripen, developing a sweet, tropical kiwi flavor that’s easy to enjoy fresh. Issai’s more compact growth habit makes it especially well suited to home gardens and smaller trellis systems.
Overview
- Fruit type: Kiwi berry (hardy kiwi) with smooth, edible skin
- Fruit size: Small to medium grape-sized berries
- Flavor: Mild, sweet, clean kiwi flavor
- Growth habit: Compact climbing vine; easier to manage than many arguta types
- Key trait: Self-fertile; can fruit without a male vine
- Bearing behavior: Often fruits at a young age
- Productivity: Reliable early producer; heavier crops with cross-pollination
Growing Details
Latin Name: Actinidia arguta ’Issai’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
Rootstock: Own-root (propagated from cuttings)
Bearing Age: Often begins flowering and fruiting within 1–2 years under good conditions
Size at Maturity: Climbing vine; typically more compact than many hardy kiwis and easily maintained at 10–12 ft with pruning
Bloom Time: Mid-season (varies by region)
Ripening Time: Mid to late season within kiwi berries (varies by region)
Fruit Size: Small to medium grape-sized
Pollination: Self-fertile; fruits without a male, though yields and fruit size improve with a compatible male vine within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Generally low disease pressure with good airflow and pruning
Yield: Commonly 20–40 lbs per mature vine; higher with cross-pollination
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Issai’s tendency to flower young—even in small containers—makes it one of the quickest kiwi berries to reward patient growers.
- Regional Insight: Issai performs especially well in home gardens and smaller plantings where space or pollination options are limited.
- Pollination Tip: While Issai is self-fertile, planting a male hardy kiwi nearby can noticeably increase total yield and fruit size.
- Explore more kiwi berry and hardy kiwi vines in our collection: Kiwi & Hardy Kiwi Vines
