Tolmiea (also called Piggyback Plant) is a native of the northwestern part of North America, including Canada and Alaska. It is a fast-growing, beautiful plant. Piggyback plants are easy to care for and have a mounding habit which makes them a great candidate for hanging baskets or ground covers in landscape applications. Tolmiea's leaves are green and fuzzy and can grow to two inches wide and four inches long. Its unique growing habit, producing "piggies" from mature leaves, makes it a plant that will set your garden center apart from the competition.
Due to the warm nature of our Zone 7 summers, we only offer Piggyback Plant from October through March. Since these plants can handle a 50 degree night temperature with ease, plant your baskets in the fall to have a monster product in the spring.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Tolmiea, we recommend using a low-but-constant feed program of 150-200 ppm N. Maintain a pH between 5.8 - 6.2.
Pinching
Piggyback plant does not require pinching.
Spacing
Space pots as needed to allow air flow and penetration of light between plants.
Height Control
Plant growth regulators are not recommended for Tolmiea Piggyback Plant.
Pests
Mealybugs are the biggest pest problems for Tolmiea.
Disease
Tolmiea Piggyback Plant is not prone to many diseases, but don't oversaturate the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil for an extended amount of time, you could end up with root rot or botrytis. Botrytis grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis and root rot are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label's instructions.
Planting Tolmiea Piggyback Plant Liners
We recommend planting 4 starter plants per 10 inch basket. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. If you are planting 4" pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinching is not recommended for Tolmiea.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Tolmiea Piggyback Plant Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
6 Weeks
10 Inch crop time
8-10 Weeks
Habit
Mounding
Height
15 inches
Light
Shade
Minimum Temp
60
Perennial Zone
6-9
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
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Current Availability
05-12-2025 (Week 20)
0
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100
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0
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0
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0
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0
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
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300
11-03-2025 (Week 45)
300
11-10-2025 (Week 46)
300
11-17-2025 (Week 47)
300
11-24-2025 (Week 48)
300
12-01-2025 (Week 49)
300
12-08-2025 (Week 50)
300
12-15-2025 (Week 51)
300
12-22-2025 (Week 52)
300
12-29-2025 (Week 01)
300
01-05-2026 (Week 02)
300
01-12-2026 (Week 03)
300
01-19-2026 (Week 04)
300
01-26-2026 (Week 05)
300
02-02-2026 (Week 06)
300
Tolmiea (also called Piggyback Plant) is a native of the northwestern part of North America, including Canada and Alaska. It is a fast-growing, beautiful plant. Piggyback plants are easy to care for and have a mounding habit which makes them a great candidate for hanging baskets or ground covers in landscape applications. Tolmiea's leaves are green and fuzzy and can grow to two inches wide and four inches long. Its unique growing habit, producing "piggies" from mature leaves, makes it a plant that will set your garden center apart from the competition.
Due to the warm nature of our Zone 7 summers, we only offer Piggyback Plant from October through March. Since these plants can handle a 50 degree night temperature with ease, plant your baskets in the fall to have a monster product in the spring.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Tolmiea, we recommend using a low-but-constant feed program of 150-200 ppm N. Maintain a pH between 5.8 - 6.2.
Pinching
Piggyback plant does not require pinching.
Spacing
Space pots as needed to allow air flow and penetration of light between plants.
Height Control
Plant growth regulators are not recommended for Tolmiea Piggyback Plant.
Pests
Mealybugs are the biggest pest problems for Tolmiea.
Disease
Tolmiea Piggyback Plant is not prone to many diseases, but don't oversaturate the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil for an extended amount of time, you could end up with root rot or botrytis. Botrytis grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis and root rot are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label's instructions.
Planting Tolmiea Piggyback Plant Liners
We recommend planting 4 starter plants per 10 inch basket. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. If you are planting 4" pots, 1 plant per pot should be sufficient. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinching is not recommended for Tolmiea.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Tolmiea Piggyback Plant Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
6 Weeks
10 Inch crop time
8-10 Weeks
Habit
Mounding
Height
15 inches
Light
Shade
Minimum Temp
60
Perennial Zone
6-9
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
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