How to Grow and Care for Burro's Tail Plant (Sedum morganianum) Indoors
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Botanical name: Sedum morganianum
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Burro's Tail Plant, Donkey's Tail Plant
Description
Sedum morganianum commonly called Burro's Tail Plant or Donkey's Tail Plant is a trailing plant which bears 2-3 ft long stems, completely clothed with blue-green cylindrical succulent leaves.
With its spectacular cascading stems and terminal, pink to red flowers, Donkey's Tail Plant is ideal for a hanging basket.
Burro's Tail Plant grows well in very good light but not extreme heat. To enhance leaf coloration grow the plant in bright light with at least 8 hours of sunshine.
Origin
Sedum morganianum is native to southern Mexico and Honduras.
Where to Buy
Donkey's Tail Plants are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Burro's Tail Plants (Sedum morganianum) online from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Sedum morganianum Care Indoors
Burro's Tail Plant (Sedum morganianum) thrives in bright light with some direct sunshine, average warmth and moderately moist, fertile, loose, free-draining soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Sedum morganianum requires pruning to keep the plant neat as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is needed only when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for the best growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Burro's Tail Plant grows best in bright light with some direct sunshine. Keep it away from hot sunshine to avoid sunburn.
Should you choose to take the Donkey's Tail Plant outdoors, gradually acclimatize it and place in a shaded place.
It can also grow under a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate.
Watering
Water Burro's Tail Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Significantly lessen watering in the cold months as growth is minimal at this time to maintain the soil barely moist.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to stem-rot and death of the plant.
Avoid wetting the leaves as it can lead to rotting or water from the bottom instead.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid plant shock as it can result in leaf drop and reduced growth.
Temperature
Average warmth temperatures from 18-260C are ideal for Donkey's Tail Plant. A sudden change in temperature between day and night is excellent for this plant.
Humidity
Burro's Tail Plant has no need for high humidity. Average room humidity is ideal for the plant.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Burro's Tail Plant monthly during the growing period with a balanced, liquid fertilizer. Stop feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
Repotting
Repot Burro's Tail Plant only when the plant is pot-bound and take care not to damage the fragile leaves as they drop very easily but they can be used for propagation.
Use a shallow rather than a deep pot for Sedum morganianum as it has shallow roots. A clay pot is preferable because it is porous and therefore allows the soil to dry out faster.
The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Soil
The best soil for Burro's Tail Plant should be sandy or rocky soil to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough.
Cactus and Succulents soil is ideal for this plant. Purchase quality Cactus and Succulents Soil for Burro's Tail Plant online from Etsy.
Pruning
Pruning Burro's Tail Plant requires removal of dead or diseased leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as reduce pest and disease infestations.
Propagation
Burro's Tail Plant (Sedum morganianum) can be propagated from leaf cuttings or stem cuttings at the beginning of the growing season.
How to propagate Burro's Tail Plant from stem cuttings
Take 4-6 in. stem cuttings from a healthy Burro's Tail Plant. Allow the cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to avoid rotting.
Lay the cuttings on moist free-draining soil. Water lightly by misting, only when the soil is dry and avoid getting the soil soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight until there is new growth. Roots can take about 3-4 weeks to develop.
Photo Credit: Sunnyplants.com
Sedum morganianum Problems Indoors
Burro's Tail Plant (Sedum morganianum) problems indoors include leaf spots, rotting, yellowing, shrivelled leaves, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Rotting base, yellow and shrivelled leaves
Rotting plant base followed by yellowing and shrivelled leaves in Burro's Tail Plant is an indication of basal stem-rot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions.
Maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season and barely moist in the cold period.
Also, make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy.
Shrivelled leaves
Shriveled leaves in Burro's Tail Plant are caused by underwatering. Too little moisture in the soil will cause the leaves to wilt and shrivel.
Water the Donkey's Tail Plant deeply during the growing season while allowing the to half of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Brown soft spots
Brown soft spots in Burro's Tail Plant is leaf spot disease which is enhanced by poor air circulation. Ensure there is free air circulation at all times to discourage the disease infestation. Read on how to treat leaf spot disease in houseplants.
Pests
Common pests in Burro's Tail Plant are Mealy Bugs and Scale Insects. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to other houseplants and treat it with Insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests.
Is Burro's Tail Plant toxic?
Burro's Tail Plant (Sedum morganianum) is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It is safe to grow indoors. However, it should not be eaten.
