Tolmiea menziesii
mother of millions
A clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial to around 60cm tall forming a low mound or mat of hairy, rounded leaves with long stalks, toothed edges and five to seven lobes. Spikes of small, tubular to bell-shaped, green and purple-brown flowers to 1cm long are borne above the foliage from late spring into early summer
Other common names
mother of thousandspickaback plant
see morepig-a-back plant
piggyback plant
thousand mothers
youth on age
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Brown Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Brown Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Tolmiea are herbaceous perennials with maple-like, palmately lobed leaves and insignificant purplish or brownish tubular flowers in narrow racemes in late spring and early summer
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in cool conditions in full or partial shade in humus-rich, moist soil
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring, by seed in autumn or by removal of plantlets from leaves in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Trim back winter-damaged foliage in spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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