Donkey's Tail

Botanical Name: Sedum morganianum

Donkey's Tail -- sometimes called Burro's Tail -- is a succulent with stems thickly covered with overlapping, plump, blue-green leaves that trail down the side of its container.

  

Although it rarely blooms indoors, succulent flowers of pink or red may appear at the tips of its stems in the summer. Give your succulent house plants bright light in the growing season, spring through fall. Bright light in the summer and a cool rest in the winter will help promote blooming.

Shed some light. Give this evergreen succulent plenty of bright light. If you move it outside in summer, put it in a shaded spot because it sunburns easily if suddenly exposed to full sun.

Give it a winter rest. Keep Sedum morganianum slightly cooler in winter, with a minimum of 55°F/13°C. Stop fertilizing in fall and winter and water sparingly during this rest.

Repot in spring when the plant fills the pot. You can use a shallow pot -- its roots aren't deep. Move to a pot only 1 size larger, with drainage holes to prevent overwatering.

Handle with care. This plant is so fragile that its leaves will fall off at the slightest touch. It's a good idea to pot it in a hanging basket and leave it alone except for watering and fertilizing.

Donkey's Tail Care Tips

Origin: Mexico

Height: Trailing to 3 ft (90 cm)

Light: Bright light with some direct sun. Shade from strong summer sun.

Water: Keep soil lightly moist in spring and summer. In fall and winter, water sparingly. If leaves appear shriveled, it may be underwatered.

Humidity: Average humidity. Will tolerate dry air, but keep plant out of drafts.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-75°F/18-24°C. Give it a cool rest in the winter to promote blooming 55-60°F/13-16°C.

Soil: Cactus potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring and summer with a fertilizer specially made for succulents.

Propagation: Succulent cuttings. Take 2-3 in (5-7 cm) stem tip cuttings in spring. Remove the lower leaves to expose the stem and insert it in a mixture of half sharp sand and half peat moss. Keep it moist and be patient -- it can take a couple months. You can also grow from leaf cuttings following the same method.