Iconic "piggybacking" leaves of Piggyback Plant, aka Youth-on-Age (Tolmiea menziesii). One of over 100 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Buds of Piggyback Plant, aka Youth-on-Age (Tolmiea menziesii). One of over 100 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Flower stalk of Piggyback Plant, aka Youth-on-Age (Tolmiea menziesii). One of over 100 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close up of flowers on Piggyback Plant, aka Youth-on-Age (Tolmiea menziesii). One of over 100 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Many flower stalks in a population of Piggyback Plant, aka Youth-on-Age (Tolmiea menziesii). One of over 100 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Piggyback Plant

Tolmiea menziesii

  • Size at maturity: 12-30" tall, 1' wide
  • Canopy layer: groundcover
  • Light requirements: full shade, part-sun/part-shade
  • Moisture requirements: moist soil
  • Special features: evergreen

Lush green forest groundcover. Also known as Youth-on-Age; names attributed to the young plantlets growing on top of older leaves. Maroon flowers on stems Apr-Aug; spreads by seed or by "Youth" plants rooting when their stems bend down and touch the ground.

Photo Credits: Tracy Cozine & Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants