Burro's Tail

How to care for Burro's Tail

Light

Sedum morganianum thrives in bright light. A south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal, providing several hours of direct sun each day. Some direct morning sun is beneficial, but intense midday sun through glass in summer can scorch the leaves. If grown outdoors in summer, acclimatise gradually to prevent bleaching. Insufficient light causes etiolation, with stems stretching and leaf spacing becoming loose.

Watering

Water thoroughly, then allow the compost to dry out completely before watering again. During the active growing season (spring and summer) this may mean watering every two to three weeks, depending on pot size, temperature, and light levels. In autumn and winter reduce watering significantly, perhaps once a month or even less. Always water at the base or directly into the soil, as wetting the foliage can lead to rot and encourages the fragile leaves to detach.

Soil and potting

A well-draining, gritty mix is essential to prevent root rot. A proprietary cactus and succulent compost works well, or you can amend standard potting compost with at least 50% coarse horticultural grit or perlite. Good drainage holes in the pot are non-negotiable. Terracotta pots are particularly suitable as they allow excess moisture to evaporate through the walls.

Feeding

Feed once a month during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half the recommended strength, or use a low-nitrogen fertiliser formulated for cacti and succulents. Do not feed in autumn or winter when the plant is resting. Over-fertilising can lead to soft, weak growth and may cause leaf drop.

Humidity and temperature

Burro's Tail prefers low to moderate humidity and copes well in the typically dry air of centrally heated homes. High humidity combined with poor air circulation increases the risk of fungal rot. It grows comfortably between 15 and 32 C and can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures in winter provided it is kept fairly dry. Protect it from frost at all times, as it is not frost-hardy; temperatures below about 5 C can cause serious damage.

Repotting

Repot every two to three years in spring, moving up only one pot size at a time. The plant has a relatively shallow, compact root system and does not need a large container. Handle with great care during repotting, as the leaves detach at the slightest touch. It is helpful to wrap the stems gently in paper to keep them together while working. After repotting, wait a week or two before watering to allow any disturbed roots to settle.

Pruning

Pruning is rarely necessary, but any dead or shrivelled stem tips can be removed with clean scissors or snips. If stems become very long and bare at the base, you may trim them back to encourage a neater habit. Removed healthy stem sections can be used for propagation rather than discarded.

Is Burro's Tail toxic?

Common problems

How to propagate

Stem cuttings

Cut a healthy stem section of 8-15 cm using clean scissors or a blade. Allow the cut end to callous for two to five days in a dry, shaded spot, then insert the calloused end into barely moist, gritty compost. Roots should develop within a few weeks; water sparingly until established.

Leaf propagation

Because leaves detach so readily, they can be used for propagation. Place fallen or carefully detached leaves on the surface of dry, gritty compost without burying them. In bright, indirect light, small rosettes and roots should emerge from the base of the leaf over several weeks to months, though success rates are variable compared with stem cuttings.

Where Burro's Tail comes from

Native to southern Mexico, Honduras.

Story and origins

The genus name Sedum is derived from the Latin word 'sedere', meaning 'to sit', a reference to the way many sedums grow pressed closely against rocks and walls. The species epithet morganianum honours Dr David Morgan, an American horticulturalist working in the early twentieth century who was instrumental in bringing specimens of this plant from Mexico to the United States for cultivation and study. The common name Burro's Tail, along with the variants Donkey's Tail and Lamb's Tail, all refer to the resemblance of the densely leafed, drooping stems to the tails of these animals.

Sedum morganianum was formally described by the botanist Eric Walther in 1938, based on specimens attributed to David Morgan, who reportedly obtained the plant in Mexico in the 1930s. Despite its widespread cultivation as a houseplant since at least the mid-twentieth century, the plant's precise wild origin remained uncertain for many decades, as it had never been reliably collected from the wild. It was only in 2007 that researchers confirmed a wild population growing in the state of Veracruz in southern Mexico, settling a long-standing debate among botanists. The closely related and very similar cultivar 'Burrito', which is arguably now more common in cultivation than the true species, was introduced in California in the 1970s and its exact origin remains somewhat unclear.

Varieties to know

Sedum morganianum 'Burrito'

A commonly available cultivar with shorter, more rounded, chubby leaves and a more compact habit than the species; often sold under the Burro's Tail name.

Sedum morganianum (standard species form)

The true species has slightly more elongated, pointed leaves than 'Burrito' and produces longer trailing stems; the two are frequently confused in the trade.

Fun facts

• The leaves of Sedum morganianum are coated in a fine, powdery, waxy bloom called epicuticular wax, or farina, which reflects excess sunlight and reduces water loss.
• A single mature plant can produce stems exceeding 90 cm in length, although growth is slow and this typically takes many years to achieve indoors.
• The plant was not formally described by science until 1937, when it was named after the plant collector and horticulturalist Dr David Morgan, who brought specimens to wider attention.
• Flowers are rarely produced on indoor plants unless the plant is kept slightly cooler and drier in winter, which triggers a dormancy period that can stimulate blooming the following summer.
• Burro's Tail belongs to a genus of over 400 species and is closely related to the stonecrops commonly seen growing on walls and rocky ground across Europe.

Burro's Tail FAQ