March 18, 2026 Peter van Dijk

Kiwi Plant Propagation

Growing new plants yourself is a practical and economical way to expand your garden. The Kiwiplant, also known as Actinidia Deliciosa, is perfectly suited for this process. Whether you already have various fruit plants in your garden or are just starting to design your outdoor space, it is good to know that you can propagate this vigorous climber relatively easily. By taking cuttings from a kiwi plant, you ensure new plants that have exactly the same characteristics as the mother plant. In this blog, we explain step by step how you can successfully propagate and grow these popular garden plants.

Can you propagate a Kiwi plant?

Yes, you certainly can! The kiwi plant is relatively easy to propagate via cuttings. Unlike sowing a kiwi (where it takes years before you know whether you have a male or female plant and whether the fruit is tasty), a cutting retains all the characteristics of the mother plant.

There are two popular methods:

Summer cuttings (semi-hardened cuttings): These are taken in the summer from young shoots that are already becoming a bit hard (woody) at the base.
Winter cuttings (woody cuttings): These are taken from fully hardened branches during the dormant period.

When to take Kiwi plant cuttings?

The timing determines the success rate of your cuttings:

The best period is June to August. The plant is then in full growth and the cells divide rapidly, which promotes root growth.

Winter cuttings: You do this in the winter months (November to January), when the plant is dormant. This often coincides with the annual winter pruning.

How to propagate a kiwi plant?

Successfully propagating the Actinidia Deliciosa requires a careful approach. Follow this step-by-step plan for summer cuttings, as this method usually yields the fastest results:

Choose the right branch: Find a healthy, young side shoot from this year that is about the thickness of a pencil.

Cutting: Cut off a piece about 10 to 15 centimeters long. Ensure that the bottom is cut off just below a node.

Removing leaves: Remove the lower leaves so that only two or three leaves remain at the top. You can optionally halve large leaves to limit evaporation.

Rooting powder: Dip the bottom of the cutting in rooting powder. This stimulates root formation and protects against fungi.

Pots: Place the cuttings in a pot with a mixture of seed and cutting soil and a little sand for drainage.

Humidity: Cover the pot with a transparent plastic bag or place it in a mini greenhouse. The cuttings need high humidity to prevent them from drying out.

Kiwi cuttings in water

Can you also simply put a kiwi in a glass of water? The answer is yes, but it is more challenging than cuttings in soil.

If you choose cuttings in water, use soft summer cuttings. Change the water every few days to prevent rot. As soon as a sturdy root system of a few centimeters is visible, you must very carefully repot the cutting into airy cutting soil. Note: "water roots" are fragile and need to get used to the transition to soil.

Caring for Kiwi Plant Cuttings

Once your cuttings are in the soil, the waiting begins. Good aftercare is essential for a strong start:

Heat and Light: Place the cuttings in a bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight (this burns the young leaves). A constant temperature of around 20°C is ideal.

20°C is ideal.
Moisture balance: The soil must remain slightly moist, but certainly not soaking wet. Too much water causes root rot.
Hardening off: After a few weeks to months, the first new growth shoots will appear. This means that roots have formed! Remove the plastic bag more and more often to allow the plants to acclimate to the drier outdoor air.
Repotting: As soon as the roots grow out of the bottom of the pot, it is time to move your new fruit plant to a larger pot with nutritious potting soil.

Read more in our extensive blog about caring for your Kiwi plant: Kiwi plant Care!

With a little patience and the right timing, you can transform a single branch into a powerful new climbing plant. Propagating the kiwi plant is not only a sustainable way to enrich your garden, but also provides great satisfaction when the first new leaves appear. Ensure a good foundation with the right soil and sufficient moisture, and before you know it, you will have an extra harvest of your own kiwis to look forward to.