Kiwis in Montana? Yes! But these aren’t the fuzzy kiwis you find in the grocery store—they're hardier cousins that are actually more flavorful (though much smaller). They pack a punch for sure!

These hardy kiwi vines are the toughest varieties we’ve grown over the past decade. We first started growing hardy kiwis in Montana in 2015, but unfortunately, we picked the wrong varieties—Ananasnaya, Ken’s Red, and others that are only hardy to the -20°F range. That set us back a few years. Fortunately, we then switched to Red Beauty and Arctic Beauty, which have proven to be much better suited to Montana's climate.

Unlike most plants we grow, which have both male and female parts on the same flower (monoecious, though many still require a pollinizer), hardy kiwis are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Because of this, for every four Red Beauty (female, fruit-producing) vines, we offer one Arctic Beauty (male, non-fruiting) vine. The bloom times of Arctic Beauty and Red Beauty overlap nicely, ensuring proper pollination.

Growing Hardy Kiwis in Montana

These vines have survived well for us in Missoula and should do fine in most areas of Montana that don’t drop below -40°F. If your area gets colder, survival is still possible if planted in a protected spot—out of strong winds and on a slight elevation to avoid stagnant frost.

Hardy kiwis have good mid-winter cold tolerance, but they can leaf out early in a warm spring. If this happens, their new leaves are more frost-sensitive than other early leafing plants like honeyberries or currants.

These vines like moist soil and have shallow roots, making them vulnerable to drying out. Mulching heavily—especially in the first few years—is crucial. Water them frequently, at least two 5-gallon buckets every few days, though this depends on your soil type.

• Sandy soil? More frequent watering is needed.

• Clay soil? Holds water longer, so less frequent watering is required.

• High organic matter (8–10%)? Acts as a sponge, absorbing up to five times more water than soil with less than 1% organic matter.

Varieties

Arctic Beauty: A stunning ornamental and essential pollinator, Arctic Beauty is a male hardy kiwi with vibrant pink and white variegated foliage. Though it doesn’t produce fruit, it ensures a strong harvest for female Actinidia kolomikta varieties. Cold-hardy and vigorous, it thrives in cooler climates, adding elegance to edible landscapes.

Red Beauty: A female hardy kiwi producing smooth, red-blushed fruit with a sweet, tropical flavor and edible skin. Cold-hardy and vigorous, Red Beauty requires a male pollinator like Arctic Beauty. Its lush vines offer both beauty and productivity, perfect for backyard orchards and trellises.

These Red Beauties (the female) are anywhere from 6-18” while the Arctic Beauties are generally 1-2 ft., although they may be smaller at times.