How can you tell if a kiwi (Actinidia) is a male or female plant?
You have to have both for them to pollinate.
Answer
There should be an indication on the plant label for the kiwi that lets you know whether it is male or female. If you don't see that but the plant has a cultivar name, you can tell if it is male or female from the name. For instance, Actinidia chinensis 'Tomuri' is a male plant name. Feel free to get in touch with us (PlantInfo@NYBG.org) and we can tell you if a named cultivar is male or female.
The other way to tell is to observe the plant in flower as the male and female flowers differ. The male plants produce smaller, more numerous flowers that are yellow in the center because they are jammed with pollen-bearing anthers.
Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service
Ask a plant expert
Send us an email or use the question form below.