Burro’s Tail may look like a complicated plant at first glance, but this beautiful plant is one of the simplest succulent plants to care for, and if you know anything about succulents, this means that this plant is a breeze!
But don’t just plonk it in any area of your home and expect it to thrive. It does need certain conditions for it to flourish under your care, but this isn’t hard to achieve.
So if you’re interested in growing your own Burro’s Tail, here is everything you should know about this striking succulent plant.
At A Glance: Everything To Know About Burro’s Tail
Burro’s Tail is botanically known as Sedum morganianum, and many other beautiful plants within the Sedum genus are easy to care for.
Most Sedum plants are generally grown outdoors, but Burro’s Tail needs to be indoors unless you live in USDA zones 9 to 11 (as it comes from Mexico and Honduras, it’s not used to cold temperatures), in which case you can keep this plant outdoors all year round.
This plant is super easy to recognize, as it produces eye-catching trailing stems, which are covered in tiny, pale green leaves that sometimes have a silvery coating on them.
Usually, this plant will need a hanging pot or a space on a high shelf, as the stems can reach up to 2 feet long when mature!
Ideal Light And Position For Burro’s Tail
Most succulents are sun-loving plants, and Burro’s Tail is no exception. Northern or Eastern-facing windows sadly will not cut it for this plant, as it is more demanding when it comes to light.
Southern-facing windows or any other sunny aspect are perfect for this plant. As long as it can get at least a few hours of direct sunlight, as close to the window as possible, this plant will thrive.
You’ll soon notice if the light levels aren’t enough, as with all succulent plants, the space between the leaves will elongate and stretch, giving the plant a leggy and weak appearance.
Keep this plant somewhere warm, well out of the way of drafts or sources of heat.
You can also summer your succulent plants outdoors if you like, but wait until the weather is warm, and gradually increase both light levels and the time spent outside until your plant is hardened off.
Put it somewhere shaded and sheltered to start with, eventually moving it to a sunny and sheltered spot. You will notice new growth like crazy!
Should You Increase Humidity Levels For Donkey’s Tail Succulents?
No. Please, no. Succulent plants that are used to desert-like conditions do not appreciate any extra humidity, and will often rot if the air is too humid for them, and Burro’s Tail is not a humidity-loving plant.
So it’s a good idea to put this plant in a drier area of your home, still avoiding any areas near radiators or sources of drafts.
Getting The Soil Right For Succulents
Getting the right type of soil is essential for your succulents to thrive, including Burro’s Tail. It makes everything easier, even watering, as the right soil will direct excess moisture away from the stems and roots.
While you could use a ready-made succulent compost mix, a better idea is to use equal parts horticultural grit and succulent compost, as this improves drainage and oxygen, creating a stronger root system.
As the leaves are very fragile, it’s a good idea to top-dress the soil with some grit so that any water that sits on the surface when you water the plant will not rot the stems or leaves that would otherwise sit on the soil’s surface.
When To Water A Burro’s Tail Succulent
The good thing about Burro’s Tail, and most succulents for that matter, is that it’s an easy-going plant as far as watering is concerned.
The leaves and stems act like water stores for the plant to draw on when there are long dry spells, meaning that you don’t have to water your Burro’s Tail often.
Aim to let most of the soil dry out in between watering, and then give it a good soaking, as this will mimic the conditions it will get in its natural habitat.
Try not to let water puddle on the leaves or stems as this will rot them. Water as close to the soil’s surface as possible, wetting as much of the soil’s surface as you can.
For most succulents, a good way of telling if your plant needs watering is to lightly pinch a leaf between your fingers. If it wrinkles when you squeeze it, it’s time to water.
How To Propagate Burro’s Tail
Burro’s Tail is incredibly easy to propagate, which is just as well, as the slightest knock can behead your plant!
The leaves are fragile, and even bumping your plant can cause a few to drop from the stems.
There are two main ways to propagate your Burro’s Tail succulent: through leaf cuttings, and stem cuttings.
Leaf cuttings are great for maximizing the number of plants you can get from the fewest cuttings possible, and it also means that your original plant won’t look bare at the end of it.
Stem cuttings are also a good way to propagate as it does give your new plant a better starting point with more material, but you will have to steel yourself to cut your Burro’s Tail, as it can be a little nerve-wracking!
Whichever method you choose, make sure to let your cuttings air dry for a couple of days before planting.
This allows the wounds to mostly close up, limiting the amount of water they can take up at one time, helping to stop the new plants from rotting before they can root.
Once the wounds have mostly closed, prepare a tray of succulent compost, or, put the cuttings back into the original container.
There is no need to seal the pot in a high-humidity environment such as a propagation box, as these plants don’t like higher humidity.
Just pop them somewhere warm and bright, but away from direct sunlight until they have rooted. Keep the soil slightly damp to encourage the plants to root, and once you see new growth, your cuttings have made it!
Try not to propagate during fall or winter when the plant has gone dormant. Save propagating your plant until it is actively growing in spring and summer.
Final Thoughts
Burro’s Tail is a beautiful plant that looks great in any home, but it does need a lot of light to thrive. It’s also a good idea to keep it in a low-traffic area, as the plant is quite fragile!
