Issai Hardy Kiwi Live Plant, Self-Fertile Kiwi Vine, Sweet Grape Size Fruit, Fuzzless Kiwi, Edible Fruit Vine

Issai Hardy Kiwi – Sweet, Fuzzless, Grape-Sized Fruit!

Enjoy homegrown kiwi fruit with the Issai Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta 'Issai'). Unlike the fuzzy kiwis commonly found in grocery stores, Issai produces small, smooth-skinned fruit that can be eaten without peeling. The fruit is grape-sized and known for its very sweet flavor.

Issai is self-fruiting, so you only need one plant to produce fruit. This productive kiwi vine is a wonderful choice for a home orchard, edible landscape, arbor, or sturdy trellis.

Plant & Fruit Details

• Variety: Issai Hardy Kiwi

• Botanical name: Actinidia arguta 'Issai'

• Quantity: 1 live plant

• Fruit: Smooth, fuzzless, grape-sized kiwi

• Flavor: Very sweet

• Pollination: Self-fruiting; one plant can produce fruit

• Potential production: Seller reports yields of up to 100 pounds per plant

• Typical first fruiting: May bear fruit the year after planting

• Chill requirement: Approximately 400 chill hours

• USDA hardiness zones: 4–9

Fruit & Harvest

Issai produces small, sweet kiwi fruit with edible smooth skin. The fruit is approximately grape-sized and can be enjoyed fresh.

Typical ripening times vary by location:

• Northern locations: Late September

• More southern locations: Late August

The seller reports that Issai fruit contains approximately eight times the Vitamin C of citrus.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Full sun or approximately three-quarters of a day of sun

• Soil: Well-drained soil

• Preferred soil pH: 5.5–7.0

• Water: Does not like excessively wet soil

• USDA Zones: 4–9

• Chill hours: Approximately 400

Growth Habit & Support

Issai is less vigorous than some other hardy kiwi varieties and can be grown in the ground or in a large container.

The attractive foliage twines around supports, making this vine useful for:

• Arbors and pergolas

• Trellises and fences

• Garden walls with suitable support

• Summertime privacy screens

• Edible landscaping

Plants can grow approximately 8–12 feet tall and 8–12 feet wide. A sturdy support system is recommended.

Issai has a spur-type growth habit and generally requires less pruning than more vigorous kiwi varieties. If pruning is needed, it should be done during winter.

Shipping Information

• Free shipping to most locations.

• Larger boxes and shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, APO addresses, U.S. Territories, and remote areas may require a freight surcharge.

• If temperatures are warmer than 89°F or colder than 20°F, orders will be held until conditions improve.

• Please enter your preferred ship date in the Special Instructions to Seller at checkout.

• All plants are inspected for quality before shipment.

• If your plant arrives damaged, contact us promptly and include photos of the package and plant so we can help resolve the issue.

Grow your own sweet, smooth-skinned kiwi with this self-fruiting Issai vine!