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Pick-a-Back-Plant

4.5 out of 5 (2 experiences)

Survivor

About Pick-a-Back-Plant

Piggyback Plant is a native evergreen perennial herb found on the coast of western North America. It grows as a ground cover in moist forests, wetlands and along streams to 1 foot tall. The flowers appear in loose racemes in spring with small tubular purplish-brown flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Tolmiea menziesii

Genus

Tolmiea

Family

Saxifragaceae

Order

Saxifragales

Also known as

Youth on age, Piggyback plant and Thousand mothers

How to care for Pick-a-Back-Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Pick-a-Back-Plant

Pick-a-Back-Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Pick-a-Back-Plant in your home

Pick-a-Back-Plant may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Pick-a-Back-Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Pick-a-Back-Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Pick-a-Back-Plant: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Pick-a-Back-Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Pick-a-Back-Plant is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Pick-a-Back-Plant →

Common Pick-a-Back-Plant Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Pick-a-Back-Plant prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Pick-a-Back-Plant Water Frequency →

Pick-a-Back-Plant Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Pick-a-Back-Plant may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Pick-a-Back-Plant Light Requirements →

Pick-a-Back-Plant Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Pick-a-Back-Plant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Pick-a-Back-Plant does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Pick-a-Back-Plant →

When and How to Successfully Repot Pick-a-Back-Plant →

💩 Fertilizer

Pick-a-Back-Plant is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Pick-a-Back-Plant →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Pick-a-Back-Plant grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

How and When to Prune Pick-a-Back-Plant →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Pick-a-Back-Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Pick-a-Back-Plant Temperature Tolerance →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Pick-a-Back-Plant, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.