Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Remedies
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Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii) thrives in bright light, average warmth, moderately humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Tolmiea menziesii also called Youth on age, Pick-a-back-plant or Thousand Mothers is an easy to grow houseplant that relishes a cold, well-ventilated sunless environment.
Piggyback Plant is a fast-growing, compact mound of downy, bright green leaves and about 9 inches high. Based on its size and growth habit, it is one of the popular small low light plants for an office desk.
The Tolmiea menziesii bears plantlets at the base of mature leaves which causes the leaves to bend under the weight and touch the ground hence the common name, 'Piggyback'. These plantlets will develop roots on touching the ground and become seperate plants.
Pick-a-back-plant has hairy, five to seven-lobed leaves and a capsule fruit containing spiny seeds. However, it is unlikely to bear seeds when grown indoors.
The long leaf stalks give Thousand Mothers Plant a trailing appearance which makes it one of the best plants for a hanging basket.
Botanical name: Tolmiea menziesii
Family: Saxifragaceae
Common names: Piggyback Plant, Youth on age, Pick-a-back-plant, Thousand Mothers
Origin
Tolmiea menziesii is a perennial plant native to West Coast America, occurring in northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and southern Alaska.
Toxicity
Piggyback Plant is non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The plants are safe to grow indoors.
Tolmiea menziesii Care Indoors
Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii) prefers bright light, average warmth of 15-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Tolmiea menziesii requires pruning to keep it neat, to control growth and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is necessary when it becomes pot-bound. Keep on reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Piggyback Plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings and keep the soil moist at all times.
Decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole inorder to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it may result in root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.
Light Requirements
Piggyback Plant grows best in bright light but will still grow in semi-shade, but slowly. However, too little light will result in a leggy plant. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.
Youth On Age Plant may also be grown under grow lights if natural light is inadequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Cool to average warmth of 15-260C with a minimum of 100C is ideal for Piggyback Plant. Keep it away from cold drafts as they can cause leaf drop.
Piggyback Plant has no need for extra humidity. Moderate air humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this Plant. However, if the temperatures are too high resulting in low humidity may lead to brown leaf tips and edges. Therefore, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to up humidity.
Clean the leaves regularly with a soft brush to keep them clean and neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Ascertain that there is proper circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Piggyback Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Piggyback Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for the plant.
Repotting
Repot Piggyback Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger than the current one.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot. Tolmiea menziesii is perfect in a hanging basket where the the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. Take a look at these hanging planters with macrame hangers on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Piggyback Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy. To encourage a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
Propagation
Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii) propagation can be done from the plantlets which form at the base of mature leaves.
How to propagate Piggyback Plant from plantlets
Peg down the Piggyback Plant plantlets in the soil while still attached to the mother plant.
Roots will develop at every point where the plantlets touch the soil surface.
Once rooted, cut away the rooted plantlet and plant in its own pot. For a fuller plant, transplant several plantlets into one pot.
Use free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter and a wide pot that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead root-rot and eventual death of the plant.
Place the pot in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight. Maintain the soil moist through out until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Tolmiea menziesii Growing Problems
Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii) growing problems include brown leaf tips and edges, leaf spots, leggy stems, pests and diseases among others. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
The common pests in Piggyback Plant are aphids and mealybugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Diseases
Piggyback Plant is prone to two diseases. Root-rot disease which is prevalent in soggy soil and powdery mildew which is promoted by overwet conditions. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy and avoid misting the leaves.
Pale leaves and leggy stems
Pale leaves and leggy stems in Piggyback Plant are due to too low light (inadequate light). Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light or instal a grow light if the natural light is inadequate. Check out this post on understanding light for houseplants.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Piggyback Plant are due to dry air (too low humidity) especially where the indoor temperatures are very high. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Read more on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Dry and shrivelled leaves
Dry and shrivelled leaves in Piggyback Plant is caused by underwatering resulting in too little moisture in the soil. Maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold period. Never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water indoor plants.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spots in Pggyback Plant are due to sun scorch from exposure of the plant to direct hot sunlight. Protect the plant from direct sunlight or place it in a shadier spot to prevent sunscorch.
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