Kiwibeast

Kiwibeast is a premium plant in Plants vs. Zombies 2, released with the 5.1 update. It is the first premium plant released not based on any world or event. It creates shockwaves by bouncing, hurting every zombie around it, similarly to Phat Beet. It has elevated toughness. Once its health becomes lower, it grows larger, increasing its damage, as well as its shockwave radius. When it grows from one stage to another, it will send zombies back two tiles away if they are eating it.

Origins
Kiwibeast is based on the fruit called the kiwifruit. Its appearance is simply a nod to the second part of its name, "beast".

Overview
Kiwibeast absorbs 40 bites and its appearance changes at 7 and 20 bites, before finally being eaten at 40 bites.

Plant Food effect
When fed with Plant Food, Kiwibeast will grow to its last stage and deal massive damage in an area around it.

Strategies
Kiwibeast can be considered a better version of Endurian or Pea-nut, as it is defensive, and deals a wider area of effect damage. Avoid relying on Kiwibeast as the only offensive plant without Aloe, since several zombies can cause its health to become lower in its maximum stage and can easily be eaten by other zombies, even though its maximum stage can deal massive damage. Kiwibeasts are best used when paired with Aloe so that Kiwibeasts can be healed after a damage from some zombies, but be sure to place Aloes on the left side next to large Kiwibeasts, so that a maximum stage Kiwibeast can be regenerated from the damage that a zombie started eating on it. Kiwibeasts have a great advantage against groups of Zombie Chickens and Ice Weasels, killing them in one hit. However, be sure to have an Aloe or any defensive plant (such as Primal Wall-nut, Tall-nut, or Chard Guard) to protect Kiwibeasts from being eaten easily.

It is a very bad idea to use this against Explorer Zombies when their torch is lit, since their torch can easily burn it without eating it. This also goes for zombies such as Barrel Roller Zombie and Pianist Zombie. Mecha-Football Zombie and Punk Zombie can move this plant without it getting damaged, so it is not a good idea to use this plant when they're around. Its greatest weakness is also the use against zombies that can render it useless, such as Wizard Zombie and Octo Zombie (it will retain its stage when freed). Combining this plant with Sweet Potato or Garlic can be a great combination, that way the zombies will be attracted to the Sweet Potatoes and can walk alongside Kiwibeasts dealing damage, which remain safe from being eaten. However, in order to fully maximize the usage of this strategy, the Kiwibeast must grow to full size first, which may take some time to set up. Planting Spikeweeds and Spikerocks for more damage near a combination of Kiwibeast and Sweet Potato is also helpful. This is also useful when it is in its maximum stage and with an Aloe to heal the Kiwibeast.

In Endless Zones, Kiwibeasts should be planted very early on in the level, so that they have time to get eaten by zombies. They can do incredible amounts of damage to hordes in their strongest phase, which can make them a prime a pickup. Just be careful of zombies that can ignore them, such as Explorer Zombies or Bug Zombies. Kiwibeasts also work well with Tile Turnips, since their Plant Food effect is very powerful, and can wipe out even the strongest of zombies at close range.

Trivia

 * It and Kiwifruit are the only plants based on kiwi.
 * It is the only kiwi plant in any non-Chinese game.
 * It, Sun-shroom, Strawburst, Flame Mushroom, and Freeze Mushroom are the only plants to grow in stages.
 * It is the only one of these plants to require an external effect (taking damage) to grow, whereas the other plants simply grow over time.
 * It and Strawburst are the only non-mushroom plants that grow in stages.
 * Regardless of what stage it was in when defeated, Intensive Carrot will always revive the Kiwibeast to its on-planting stage. The same applies to Potato Mine, Pea Pod, Sun-shroom, Strawburst, Primal Potato Mine, and Escape Root.
 * Its second costume is very similar to Bombegranate's second costume with only a difference in color.