Why are the leaves falling off?

The leaves are very delicate and drop easily when bumped or moved.

How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil has completely dried out, usually every 2 to 3 weeks.

Plant guide

Donkey's Tail.

Sedum morganianum

Pronounced SEE-dum mor-gan-ee-AH-num

Also known as Donkeytail, burro's-tail, donkey's-tail

Burro's-tail — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Donkey's tail is a beautiful trailing succulent known for its long, fleshy stems covered in plump, blue green leaves. It makes a stunning addition to hanging baskets where its weight can be fully appreciated. This plant is quite fragile, so it is best kept in a spot where it won't be bumped or brushed against.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright, indirect light with some direct morning sun.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 60 cm length
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to summer

Care

Provide plenty of bright light to keep the stems from stretching out. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. If the leaves start to shrivel, it is likely thirsty, but be careful not to overwater.

Watering: Water thoroughly only when the soil has dried out completely.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Prune only to remove dead stems or to shape the plant after it has finished blooming.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, being very careful with the fragile stems.
Soil: Well draining cactus or succulent mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 4 to 30°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant has stopped growing despite proper care.
The soil dries out much faster than it used to.

Safety

People: The plant is mildly toxic if ingested and the sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children because the leaves are easily detached and could pose a choking hazard.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild contact dermatitis in sensitive people.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Trailing stems up to 60 cm long
Plump, overlapping, tear drop shaped leaves
Glaucous, blue green leaf color
Fragile leaves that detach easily

Height: 0.15 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: blue-green, grey-green, evergreen
Flowers: pink, red, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf DropUncommon

By symptom

Check your donkey's tail from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, leaf cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors before the first frost, as it cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. Keep it in a bright, cool location and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: It is an excellent container plant, especially in hanging baskets that allow the stems to trail freely, and requires a pot with drainage holes.

Leaf Cuttings

1. Gently twist a healthy leaf from the stem.
2. Let the leaf callous over in a dry spot for 2 to 3 days.
3. Place the leaf on top of well draining succulent soil.
4. Mist lightly only when the soil is completely dry.
5. Wait for small roots and a new plantlet to emerge.

Group succulents with similar water needs to prevent overwatering the more sensitive species.

Grows well with

Echeveria — They share similar light and water requirements.
Jade Plant — Both are drought tolerant succulents that thrive in similar conditions.

Similar species

Baby Burro's Tail — It has smaller, more rounded leaves and is often confused with the standard species.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Sedum
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Mexico and Honduras.
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened.

It grows on rocky cliffs where it can trail downwards, allowing its leaves to shed excess water quickly.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: hanging baskets, indoor container plant, rock garden specimen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9
Salinity: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaves falling off?: The leaves are very delicate and drop easily when bumped or moved.
How often should I water it?: Water only when the soil has completely dried out, usually every 2 to 3 weeks.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Sedum comes from the Latin word sedere, meaning to sit, referring to how these plants sit on rocks. The species name morganianum honors Dr. W.D. Morgan, a Mexican plant enthusiast.

Good to know

It is commonly known as Burro's Tail or Donkey's Tail.
The leaves are covered in a waxy coating called epicuticular wax that helps prevent water loss.
It is a succulent that stores water in its plump, fleshy leaves.
The trailing stems can grow up to 2 feet long in ideal conditions.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your donkey's tail growing

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.