Tolmiea menziesii aka Pick A Back Plant

Tolmiea menziesii is a perennial in the saxifrage family. Gardeners know it as piggyback plant or youth on age. It comes from the western coast of North America. Kew places its native range from Alaska to Oregon. NC State also lists California and British Columbia. It grows in damp forests, wetlands, and near streams. Its low, spreading growth suits these cool, shaded places.

The plant forms clumps, low mounds, or dense mats. Sources give different heights, from about 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 metres]. RHS lists an upper garden height of 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Its listed spread reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. The green stems and rounded leaves have fine hairs. Long leaf stalks carry blades with toothed edges and five to seven lobes. The leaves look much like small maple leaves. RHS describes the foliage as semi-evergreen, while NC State calls it evergreen. Small plantlets grow where each mature leaf meets its stalk. These can drop onto the soil and take root. Rhizomes and seeds also help the plant spread.

Flowers rise above the leaves in loose racemes. The main display runs from late spring into early summer. Some records extend flowering further through summer. Each small flower has a tube or bell shape. Flower colours include green, purple-brown, and reddish brown. Yellow anthers stand out against the darker petals. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers. The brown fruits are small capsules, under 0.08 feet [0.025 metres] long and wide.

Grow this plant in cool conditions with full or partial shade. It needs moist, fertile soil rich in organic matter. NC State also notes its need for high humidity. It tolerates wet soil, though RHS recommends good drainage. RHS accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Its hardiness ratings are USDA zones 6–9 and UK H6. Use it beneath shrubs, along shaded edges, or as ground cover. Containers and hanging baskets also suit its spreading form. Remove winter-damaged leaves in spring. Divide clumps in spring or detach leaf plantlets in summer.

RHS reports few pest or disease problems. PFAF records bitter young shoots eaten raw in spring. It also records leaf poultices once used for boils. These uses do not establish safety or medical benefit. NC State warns that contact can cause itching, redness, or blisters. It rates the human poison risk as low. Its page labels the plant non-toxic to cats and dogs.