Photo of Tolmiea menziesii foliage, form by Roger Griffith

Photo by Roger Griffith

This work has been released into the public domain by its author.

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Tolmiea menziesii

Also Known As

  • Tolmiea menziesii
  • Mother-of-Thousands
  • Pickaback Plant
  • Piggy Back Plant
  • Piggyback Plant
  • Thousand Mothers
  • Youth on Age

Plant type

perennial, groundcover, aquatic

size

  • H: 1'-2'
  • W: 1'-2'

planting zones

  • 6a-9b

More Options

Tolmiea menziesii plant details

Tolmiea menziesii is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial groundcover aquatic with green foliage. In spring burgundy, cream and salmon flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Tolmiea menziesii

Plant type: perennial groundcover aquatic
Plant family: saxifragaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 1 FT - 2 FT - tall
Flowers: burgundy, cream and salmon blooms in spring
Uses: easy-to-grow, houseplant, native plant, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Tolmiea menziesii

USDA Zones: 6a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

One of our native plants that also does well as a houseplant. So easy to grow!
Hardy Piggy Back Plant. Wonderfully fun plant that makes baby plants on top of its leaves. Just pin the leaf down to the ground to root it and you'll have another plant. They will eventually grow roots on the new plantlets up in the air that can also be potted up for house plants.

By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Tolmiae menzieaii, a green fuzzy leaved plant which produces tiny new plantlets on top of its leaves....this is the green leaf variety...indirect light, moderate moisture, normal household temp. easy and unusual.
The tiny baby plants riding "piggy back" on hairy, lobed adult leaves are great fun for kids (& adult kids); they prefer moist crevices in creeks or woodlands & they'll willingly enjoy similar in your yard. PSh-Shade/Med-Wet

Gardening facts about Tolmiea menziesii plant

How to Grow Tolmiea menziesii

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • cream
    • salmon
    • burgundy
  • Wildlife

    • bees
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • semi-evergreen
  • Texture

    • fuzzy
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