Appearance

Growth form

A woody climbing vine that can reach 15–20 ft (4.5–6 m).

Leaves

Mature leaves are heart-shaped; white and pink patches are most conspicuous on male plants.

Flowers

Small, lightly scented flowers appear in early summer.

Fruit

Female plants can bear greenish fruit about 1 in (2.5 cm) long in fall. A male plant is usually needed nearby for fruit.

Look-alikes

silver vineActinidia polygama

Both can have white leaves, but kolomikta often adds pink. Silver vine (Actinidia polygama) bears longer, pointed yellow-orange fruit.

hardy kiwiActinidia arguta

Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) has green, glossy leaves and larger, grape-sized green fruit. Kolomikta is grown mainly for its white-and-pink foliage.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• Gardens and trellises

Range

Native to eastern Asia, it is grown as an ornamental vine in the United States.

Preferred conditions

It does well in evenly moist, fertile soil with some sun.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms

Garden selections include “Arctic Beauty,” grown for its colorful leaves.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed