Donkey Tail Sedum

How to care for Donkey Tail Sedum

Light

Sedum morganianum thrives in bright light and can tolerate some direct sun, particularly morning sun. A south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal indoors. Insufficient light causes the stems to elongate and the leaves to space out, losing the characteristic dense, rope-like appearance. If moving a plant outdoors in summer, acclimatise it gradually to avoid leaf scorch.

Watering

As a succulent, this plant stores water in its leaves and is highly susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Allow the compost to dry out completely between waterings, then water thoroughly and allow excess to drain freely. Reduce watering significantly in autumn and winter when growth slows. Always water at the base rather than overhead, as moisture sitting on the leaves can cause rot.

Soil and potting

A gritty, free-draining compost is essential. A proprietary cactus and succulent compost is suitable, or mix standard peat-free multipurpose compost with at least 50 per cent perlite or coarse horticultural grit. Good drainage prevents the waterlogging that rapidly causes root and stem rot in this species.

Feeding

Feed monthly during the growing season from spring through to late summer using a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half the recommended strength, or a specific low-nitrogen succulent feed. Do not feed in autumn or winter when the plant is resting. Over-feeding can cause soft, weak growth.

Humidity and temperature

Sedum morganianum prefers a temperature range of 15 to 26 C and copes well in the warm, dry conditions typical of most UK homes. It tolerates low humidity without difficulty and does not require misting. Keep it away from cold draughts and do not allow temperatures to fall below around 10 C for extended periods, as frost will damage or kill the plant.

Repotting

Repot every two to three years in spring, moving into a container only one size larger. Terracotta pots are preferable as they allow moisture to evaporate through the walls, reducing the risk of overwatering. Handle the plant with great care during repotting, as the leaves detach extremely easily at the slightest touch. Allowing the plant to slightly dry out before repotting can reduce leaf drop.

Pruning

Pruning is not usually necessary for health, but trailing stems can be shortened in spring if the plant becomes untidy or stems break. Any broken stems can be set aside to root as cuttings. Remove any shrivelled or dead stems at the base as needed to maintain appearance.

Is Donkey Tail Sedum toxic?

Common problems

How to propagate

Stem cuttings

Cut a healthy stem 8 to 12 cm long with a clean blade and allow the cut end to callous over in a dry place for two to four days. Insert the calloused end into barely moist cactus compost and place in bright, indirect light, watering sparingly until roots form in three to six weeks.

Leaf cuttings

Collect leaves that have fallen naturally or detached cleanly from the stem and lay them on the surface of dry cactus compost without burying them. Mist very lightly every few days; small rosettes and roots will develop at the base of the leaf over several weeks, though this is a slow method.

Where Donkey Tail Sedum comes from

Native to southern Mexico (Puebla, Veracruz), Honduras.

Story and origins

The genus name Sedum derives from the Latin word 'sedeo', meaning 'to sit', a reference to the way many sedums grow low and cling to rocks or walls. The species epithet morganianum honours Dr David Morgan, an American horticulturalist who first brought the plant to wide attention in the 1930s. The common names 'Burro's Tail', 'Donkey Tail', and 'Horse's Tail' all refer to the resemblance of the trailing, densely leaved stems to the tail of a large domestic animal.

Sedum morganianum was first formally described by the American botanist Eric Walther in 1938, based on specimens obtained through the horticulturalist Dr David Morgan in Mexico. Its exact wild origin remained uncertain for decades, with some botanists suspecting it might be a garden hybrid or cultivar rather than a true wild species. In 2002, Fritz Hochstaetter confirmed a wild population growing in Tehuacan in the state of Puebla, Mexico, and also in Honduras, settling the debate about its natural status. Since its introduction to horticulture in the mid-twentieth century, it has become one of the most popular trailing succulents grown as a houseplant worldwide.

Varieties to know

Sedum morganianum 'Burrito'

A compact cultivar with shorter, more rounded leaves and tighter leaf packing on the stems; often the most commonly sold form in UK garden centres.

Sedum morganianum (standard species)

Has slightly longer, more pointed leaves compared to 'Burrito'; stems can grow notably longer over time.

Fun facts

• Each leaf is covered in a fine, powdery, waxy coating called epicuticular wax or farina, which helps reflect intense sunlight and reduce water loss.
• The leaves detach so readily that the plant is often difficult to transport without significant leaf loss, which is why it is rarely seen in perfect condition in shops.
• Despite its common name 'Donkey Tail Cactus', Sedum morganianum is not a cactus at all but belongs to the stonecrop family Crassulaceae.
• The plant was formally described as a new species as recently as 1938, making it a relatively late botanical discovery despite being widely cultivated.
• Detached leaves that fall to the ground in the wild can root and form new plants, giving the species an effective natural propagation strategy.

Donkey Tail Sedum FAQ