How often should I water it?

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

Why are the leaves falling off?

This is usually caused by overwatering or accidentally bumping the stems.

Plant guide

Burro's Tail.

Sedum morganianum

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

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

Baby Burro's Tail — Photo by manuel m. v. (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Burro's Tail is a charming succulent known for its long, trailing stems covered in plump, tear drop shaped leaves. It makes a fantastic hanging plant that loves to show off in sunny spots. Its delicate appearance hides a tough, drought tolerant nature.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright indirect light to partial sun
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 60 cm long
Growth rate: slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Provide plenty of bright light to keep the stems full and prevent stretching. Handle the plant gently as the leaves detach very easily when bumped. Ensure the soil dries out completely between waterings to avoid root rot.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering thoroughly.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems in spring to encourage bushier growth.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container.
Soil: Well draining cactus and succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 4 to 24°C
Humidity: 20 to 40%
Drought tolerance: high
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant stops growing during the active season.
Water runs straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested, potentially causing nausea or vomiting.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children, as the leaves are easily detached and could pose a choking hazard or be ingested.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the sap if they have sensitive skin.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and can cause digestive upset if consumed.

How to identify it

Long trailing stems
Plump blue green leaves
Overlapping leaf arrangement
Powdery waxy coating on leaves

Height: 0.1 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: blue-green, grey-green, evergreen
Flowers: pink, red, 0.5 to 1cm

Common problems

Root rot — This occurs when the plant is kept in soil that stays too wet for too long.
Mealybugs — These small, white, cottony insects hide in the crevices between the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, leaf propagation
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before the first frost, as it cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. Keep it in a bright spot and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: It is excellent for hanging baskets, which allow the long, heavy stems to drape naturally without breaking.

Leaf cuttings

Gently twist a leaf off the stem.
Let the leaf callous over in a dry, shaded spot for a few days.
Place the calloused end on top of well-draining succulent soil.
Mist the soil lightly once a week until roots appear.

Group succulents with similar water needs together to prevent accidental overwatering of the drought-tolerant varieties.

Grows well with

Echeveria — They share similar light and water requirements.
Haworthia — These succulents thrive in the same well-draining soil conditions.

Keep away from

Ferns — Ferns require much higher humidity and moisture than this succulent.

Similar species

Burro's tail — It is a smaller, more compact version with rounded leaves.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Sedum
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Mexico and Honduras.
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered, but wild populations are threatened by habitat loss.

It grows in crevices on steep, rocky cliffs where it relies on its succulent leaves to survive long dry spells.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: hanging baskets, indoor ornamental, rock gardens

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water only when the soil has dried out completely, usually every 2 to 3 weeks.
Why are the leaves falling off?: This is usually caused by overwatering or accidentally bumping the stems.

Where the name comes from

The name morganianum honors the Mexican botanist Moises Moran, while the common name refers to the long, trailing stems.

Good to know

It is commonly called the donkey tail because of its long, trailing stems.
The leaves are covered in a waxy coating that helps them retain moisture.
It is native to the rocky cliffs of southern Mexico.
It thrives in bright, indirect light.

Is your burro's tail looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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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.