Piggyback is called Piggyback because each leaf has hitchhiking leaflet/plantlets attached to the top. The plant, in a pot, is a bunch of these mapleleaf shaped lime to grass green leaves on waving, thinnish, lime green stems, very full. So each leaf sprouts new leaflets right on top where the petiole is. The entire plant is covered in short, very bristly bristles (they don't hurt) even on the stems and petioles. Piggy is completely doggy and kitty safe but the bristles will probably keep your plant safe from browsing pets. We have seen with our own eyes this very plant growing wild and spready in shady areas of Oregon forests and it also ranges all over the Pacific Northwest. There is a pretty flower; a tall, leaning, green pole rises up from anywhere in the plant high above the plant with little bell tubes along it colored in a greenish burgundy. The tubes end in three lime green petals striped with burgundy veins, the tips curving back to open the tube, revealing the three yellow stamens poking out, and four thin hairlike thingys that come out of each flower and recurve back over the flower. Each flower opens up at the end to invite the happy, pollinating native bees and gnats. In those damp, shady, steamy forests where they thrive they are also loved by butterflies and hummingbirds. We love this interesting plant too.
- Air Purifying
- Pet Friendly
Quick Care Guide:
- Water - High (5): Plants in this category prefer moist soil. Do not let the plant dry out in between waterings. Water when the soil is still lightly damp. Use a spray bottle to mist regularly to keep humidity levels optimal.
- Light - Med/High (4): Needs more light than most, but direct light not necessary. Can handle morning and afternoon sun directly on leaves.
- Difficulty - Medium (3): Not too difficult to keep happy, but does require some attention.