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.
Quick Facts
Spring Emergence / Primary Infection
Phenological Calendar
As of May 13, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1906.2 to 2098.2 GDD₃₂. Piggyback Plant has passed 'flower buds visible' (1276 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 13, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,098 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,089 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,063 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,025 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,993 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,972 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,906 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| 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 May 13, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 29, 2026, then climate normals.