Actinidia polygama

Matatabi kiwi or silver vine. Many cats prefer matatabi to catnip (Nepeta cataria). Young matatabi plants must be protected from cats, otherwise they will destroy them. Actinidia is a climbing plant that requires a support trellis and annual pruning. It prefers rich, well-drained, moist, slightly acidic soil. The plant can also be grown in large 50- to 70-liter containers. If you just want to please your cat, buy a single plant. If you also want to get fruit, keep in mind that actinidia is a dioecious plant, so you will need plants of both sexes. One male plant can pollinate 3 to 4 female plants. The fruit of this species does not taste like a regular kiwi, but rather like a red bell pepper. In addition, the fruit is bitter, but becomes sweet after the first frost. It takes 2 to 4 years before female plants can produce fruit. Mature plants develop very attractive variegated leaves.

Origin: Asia

Foliage: Deciduous

Height: 400 - 600 cm

Position: Partial shade, Sun

Harvest: Autumn

Care: Good drainage, High water needs