Burro s Tail
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Sedum morganianum
Sedum is a genus of succulent, herbaceous, evergreen, perennials with fleshy, flat or rounded leaves depending on the species. In general, the plant is upright and spreads along the ground. The genus has over 300 species, though many have been moved to the genus Hylotelephium. The genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit, in reference to the habit of many of the sedums species to sit and sprawl over rocks.
Sedum morganianum, or Burro’s Tail, is a succulent plant producing trailing stems up to 24 inches long with triangular-shaped fleshy blue-green leaves. It is an attractive plant in a hanging container that allows the trailing stems to be highlighted. The leaves are quite delicate, do not tolerate heavy foot traffic, and will break off if manipulated. Cuttings and dropped leaves root easily, making propagation a simple process. The plant has terminal pink or red flower clusters that appear in the summer.
Burro’s Tail prefers high light interior environments such as a windowsill with at least partial sun, dry soil, fresh air, and shallow pots. Tepid water should be used to water plants and reduce watering in the winter. Allow the soil to dry out between watering and fertilize lightly once or twice during the growing season. The plant is native to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, but when grown outdoors in cooler climates, the plant will tolerate temperatures down to 40 degrees F. When grown outdoors, site for sun to part sun in well-drained soil. The plant tolerates rocky and poor soils, and establishes itself quickly. The succulent leaves make it drought and dry soil tolerant.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious diseases or insect problems, except for occasional slugs and snails. Avoid wet or poorly drained conditions. Pest/disease problems can occur due to overwatering.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for “Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti”, a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Attributes: Genus: Sedum Species: morganianum Family: Crassulaceae Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Leaf Cutting Stem Cutting Country Or Region Of Origin: Mexico (Veracruz, Puebla, Chiapas) Distribution: Dominican Republic Play Value: Attractive Flowers Attracts Pollinators Textural Edibility: Stems and leaves can be eaten, but when ingested in large quantities, can cause stomach upset. Dimensions: Height: 1 ft. 0 in. – 4 ft. 0 in. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. – 3 ft. 0 in.
- Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial Houseplant Perennial Succulent Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Deciduous Habit/Form: Creeping Prostrate Spreading Growth Rate: Medium Maintenance: Low Texture: Fine
- Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Clay Sand Shallow Rocky Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0) Neutral (6.0-8.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Very Dry Available Space To Plant: 12 inches-3 feet USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
- Fruit: Fruit Type: Capsule
- Flowers: Flower Color: Gold/Yellow Orange Pink Purple/Lavender Red/Burgundy White Flower Inflorescence: Cyme Flower Value To Gardener: Showy Flower Bloom Time: Summer Flower Shape: Star Flower Petals: 4-5 petals/rays Flower Size: < 1 inch Flower Description: Inflorescence is a pendent cyme, terminal, on long peduncle. Flowers are deep pink, ca 12 mm dia; petals 5, free, spreading; sepals 5, green. Rarely flowers as a houseplant.
- Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Deciduous Leaf Color: Blue Gray/Silver Green Leaf Feel: Fleshy Waxy Leaf Value To Gardener: Long-lasting Showy Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Whorled Leaf Shape: Elliptical Ovate Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: No Leaf Length: < 1 inch Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: Lance-shaped leaves are spirally arranged and overlapping, simple, entire, subcylindric and jelly-bean or boat shaped, succulent, incurved. Dusted with a silver bloom that rubs off on contact.
- Stem: Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Cross Section: Round Stem Description: Stems are numerous, sparsely branched, prostrate to pendulous, up to 90 cm long. Leaves surround stems forming braided “tails”.
- Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Hanging Baskets Houseplants Recreational Play Area Rock Wall Slope/Bank Landscape Theme: Children’s Garden Pollinator Garden Rock Garden Design Feature: Border Mass Planting Attracts: Pollinators Songbirds Resistance To Challenges: Deer Drought Poor Soil
Sedum morganianum
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status.
Burro’s Tail
The Burro’s Tail is an unforgettable trailing succulent with overlapping fleshy leaves and gorgeous light green hue. This drought-tolerant, sun-loving sedum loves to be left alone once you find its forever-spot. If you need to relocate, or transplant your Burro’s Tail, handle it with care as the leaves easily fall off from the stem! Learn how to care for these mystifying houseplants!
Light
Sedum morganianum likes lots of bright indirect light, so they do best on a sunny shelf or near a window that provides over 6 hours of indirect sunlight each day. Try placing them in a south or west facing window. These light-loving succulents can grow in full sun, both indoors and out! Its best to acclimate any full sun plants to direct light as they may have been grown in a greenhouse under shade cloth. Learn how to acclimate your indoor plants to the outdoors!
Water
Let the soil completely dry out before you water your Burro’s Tail. Lots of factors, like light and humidity determine how often an aloe plant will need water, but it is normal for this plant to go a couple of weeks between watering. When you do give water your sedum, make sure it receives a nice long drink. If your plant is in a pot with drainage then water your aloe until water runs straight through. Make sure not to leave standing water in a cache pot or tray. Keep in mind that your Burro’s Tail may need less water during the colder months.
Soil
Sedums require that their potting soil should contain more drainage materials (compared to soils for most indoor plants), such as wood chips, perlite, coarse sand, or pumice, to allow the water to drain quickly. Most bagged soil-less potting soil made for indoor plants will work fine but remember that you must let the soil dry out completely before watering it again. You can add cactus potting soil mix to your potting soil to help the water drain if you feel the roots are staying wet for too long! A great time to do this is when you need to re-pot them into a larger pot. Learn how to create your own potting soil for indoor plants!
Temperature
Generally, temperatures between 65-80°F, or comfortable room temperature is ideal. Sedum are cold sensitive, making them better suited as houseplants and not ideal for placement outdoors in most areas. Exposure to cold temperatures can cause significant damage. Burro’s Tails that are placed placed outside in the warmer months will need to be brought inside before chilly weather rolls in (under 50°F).
Humidity
Dry environments are ideal for sedum to thrive and no extra humidity is needed. Try to place aloe plants in areas with low humidity and avoid placing them in kitchens or bathrooms which can have more dampness in the air.
Fertilizer
Burro’s Tails are low-maintenance plants in all regards and that includes fertilizing. They can thrive in poor soils, but they do benefit from a feeding once a season. Give your aloe a boost of nutrition in the spring with a diluted complete liquid fertilizer, or top dress the soil with rich organic compost and mix it into the top few inches, then water! This amount of fertilizing should give enough soil enrichment for the year. Watch our video and learn when to fertilize your indoor plants!
Growth Rate
Sedum are slow to medium growers once they are established. They rarely exceed 4′ indoors, but with ample sunlight and warm temperatures, they will remain full and lush. Excessive handling of your Burro’s tail can interfere with this process as the leaves will drop leaving bare stems or broken stems!
Pet Friend or Foe
Burro’s Tail is considered non-toxic to pets. Friend!
Pro Tips
- Burro’s tail can easily be propagated by placing individual leaves on top of fresh soil, and in a few months (with warm temperatures) you will see roots and new foliage emerging!
- You will know it is time to water your sedum when you notice the leaves start to pucker.
- Burro’s Tail have shallow roots systems therefore they rarely need to be transplanted.
- If you must re-pot your sedum the best time is in the spring before it starts actively growing!