Kiwis in Montana? Yes!

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

A Decade of Testing – These Varieties Made the Cut

These hardy kiwi vines are the toughest varieties we’ve grown over the past decade. We first started growing hardy kiwis in Montana back in 2015, but unfortunately, we picked the wrong varieties—Ananasnaya, Ken’s Red, and others that are only hardy to around -20°F. That set us back a few years.

Thankfully, we switched to Red Beauty and Arctic Beauty, which have proven to be much better suited to Montana’s climate.

Dioecious Vines – Male & Female Plants Required

Unlike most plants we grow (which have both male and female parts on the same flower—monoecious), hardy kiwis are dioecious. This means male and female flowers grow on separate plants.

Because of that, we offer one Arctic Beauty (male, non-fruiting) vine for every four Red Beauty (female, fruit-producing) vines. The bloom times of Arctic Beauty and Red Beauty overlap nicely, ensuring strong 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 you plant in a protected spot—away from strong winds and ideally on a slight elevation to avoid stagnant frost.

Hardy kiwis have good mid-winter cold tolerance, but they can leaf out early during warm springs. If that happens, be aware that their young leaves are more frost-sensitive than plants like honeyberries or currants.

Soil & Watering Needs

Hardy kiwis like moist soil and have shallow roots, which means they’re prone to drying out. Mulching heavily—especially in the first few years—is key. You’ll want to water them frequently, about two 5-gallon buckets every few days, depending on your soil type.

• Sandy soil? You’ll need to water more often.

• Clay soil? It holds water longer, so watering can be less frequent.

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

The Varieties

Arctic Beauty (Male)
A stunning ornamental and essential pollinator. Arctic Beauty features vibrant pink and white variegated foliage. While it doesn’t produce fruit, it ensures a strong harvest for female Actinidia kolomikta varieties. Cold-hardy, vigorous, and ideal for cooler climates—it adds serious elegance to edible landscapes.

Red Beauty (Female)
This female hardy kiwi produces 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 are both beautiful and productive—great for backyard orchards and trellises.

Plant Sizes

• Red Beauty (female): 6–18 inches tall

• Arctic Beauty (male): Typically 1–2 feet tall, though may be smaller at times