Description
Prolific is a dependable, high-yielding kiwi berry that does exactly what its name suggests. The vine grows vigorously, flowers heavily, and produces generous crops of smooth, green kiwi berries with clean, approachable sweetness once established.
This variety is often chosen by growers who want abundance and reliability rather than novelty. Fruit size is medium for kiwi berries, but production can be substantial once the vine matures. With proper training and pruning, Prolific rewards growers with consistent harvests year after year.
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. Prolific is especially well suited to trellises, arbors, and pergolas where productivity and vigor are welcome.
Overview
- Fruit type: Kiwi berry (hardy kiwi) with smooth, edible skin
- Fruit size: Medium for kiwi berries
- Flavor: Sweet, classic kiwi flavor
- Color: Green skin and green flesh
- Growth habit: Very vigorous climbing vine; easily maintained at 10–12 ft with training and pruning
- Productivity: Exceptionally heavy-bearing once established
- Pollination: Female; requires a compatible male hardy kiwi vine for fruiting
Growing Details
Latin Name: Actinidia arguta ’Prolific’
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: Typically 3–4 years after planting once vines are well established and properly trained
Size at Maturity: Vigorous climbing vine; easily maintained at 10–12 ft with regular pruning and training
Bloom Time: Mid-season (varies by region)
Ripening Time: Mid to late season within kiwi berries (varies by region)
Fruit Size: Medium for kiwi berries
Pollination: Female; believed to be partially self-fertile. We recommend pollination. A proven option is ourMale Hardy Kiwi (Meader).
Pests & Diseases: Generally low disease pressure with good airflow and proper pruning
Yield: Commonly 60–100 lbs per mature vine under good growing conditions
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Prolific can overcrop if left unmanaged—regular pruning helps balance yield and improves berry finish.
- Regional Insight: Prolific performs well wherever hardy kiwis are adapted, making it a reliable choice for growers prioritizing productivity across diverse climates.
- Crop Management Tip: Heavy bloom and fruit set mean this variety benefits from disciplined pruning to keep vines manageable and fruit quality high.
- Explore more kiwi berry and hardy kiwi vines in our collection: Kiwi & Hardy Kiwi Vines
