Piggyback Plant
'Flower buds visible'Tolmiea menziesii
Saxifragaceae · perennial · native
Last updated
Piggyback plant is a native perennial of the Pacific Coast reaching 2 ft with a spreading growth form. It produces inconspicuous brown and green flowers and has characteristic young plantlets that form on the upper surface of mature leaves.
Piggyback plant is hardy in zones 7a-9b and requires full shade with moist soil and moderate moisture. It is low-maintenance and makes an excellent groundcover for shaded, moist areas. It tolerates some drought stress once established and spreads via the plantlets that readily root in soil.
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Active Conidial Spread
Diseases: Regionally Documented (1)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Piggyback Plant has passed 'flower buds visible' (1276 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
View full calendar (1 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● 'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' NOW | 1276 | '' |
Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=5, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.