A Burro’s Tail requires no special maintenance. That and propagation, which you should learn how to do because everyone of your pals will want a cutting or two, will be covered further down. At the conclusion of this list, I’ll also tell you what it needs if you want to grow it indoors since mine grows outside.
Light
Bright shade or moderate sun are preferred by Sedum morganianum. In the blazing sun, it will burn. It enjoys the morning sun, which mine receives. It now receives some afternoon sun as well because my neighbor took down two of his pine trees last year.
The stems that are receiving too much sun are a pale green, as you can see if you watch the movie at the very end. Ideal color for this plant would be a gorgeous blue-green. I’ll keep an eye on it and decide whether I need to transfer it to a less sunny area.
Watering
Don’t overwater it because all those leaves are storing water. If you do, it will waste away. I give my Burro’s Tail a thorough drink every 10–14 days because it is well-established (it is about 5 years old). This method of watering also aids in the flushing out of some salts from the water and fertilizers. That is aided by the wintertime rainwater that the mine receives. Don’t splash and pee every other day, in other words.
I water it more frequently every 9 to 11 days throughout the growing season, when the days are longer and warmer. Plants in clay pots typically dry out more quickly than larger plants in smaller pots. Adapt your actions in accordance with the weather.
Soil
This succulent requires proper drainage, just like any other. Use a combination made specifically for cactus and succulents as the water needs to drain out of it quickly. If you reside nearby Pasadena, I get mine at California Cactus Center. Alternately, you can lighten any existing potting soil by adding horticultural grade sand and perlite (or fine lava rock, gravel, or pumice).
Worm castings are my go-to planting tool. That would be wonderful for your burro’s tail as well. By the way, every spring I top dress all of my garden’s pots with compost and worm castings.
It’s uncommon to find your Burro’s Tail flower. Despite the fact that there were only 3 clusters on that massive plant, mine blossomed for the first time ever this year.
Temperature
Here in Santa Barbara, the wintertime low temperature is typically in the mid-40s. Occasionally, but rarely for longer than a few days, we plunge into the thirties. Mine is next to the house and doesn’t seem to be under any strain during those brief cold spells. Our summertime temperatures, which are often in the mid to upper 70s, are perfect for the Burro’s Tail.
Insects
I simply spray them off once a month because the only pests my garden ever encounters are aphids. Burro’s Tail isn’t particularly sensitive to a wide variety of insects. If hosing it off doesn’t work, you can spray it with a solution of 1/5 rubbing alcohol to 4/5 water. Neem Oil is a natural insect control solution that is quick and easy to use on a variety of insects.
Propagation
Similar to most succulents, Sedum morganianum is simple to grow from seed. Simply trim the stems to the desired length, remove the bottom third of the leaves, and then wait 2 to 3 months before planting them to heal (the cut end of the stem will callus over).
Your cuttings may need to be staked down in the pot when you plant them since the weight of the stems will pull them out. Additionally, you can grow it from individual leaf cuttings, as shown in the image below. Please be aware that this plant’s leaves break and fall off quite quickly. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, I wrote a lengthy blog entry about sedum propagation.
It can also be multiplied using the individual leaves. Where the leaf joins the stem, little plants are beginning to appear. Simply place the leaves on top of your mixture of succulents and cacti, and they will take root. Keep it relatively dry.
It is frequently offered as a hanging plant for indoors. You can purchase a burros tail right here. Place it away from any windows that receive direct sunlight and in a location with nice, bright light. In the winter, you might need to reposition it because the sun moves to a location with more light.
It’s crucial to avoid overwatering this plant. Do not water those leaves every week because they store a lot of water. A thorough watering once a month should be sufficient, depending on the temperature and lighting in your home.
In the video below, I demonstrate my burro’s tail plant in my front yard.
How should a donkey tail plant be cared for?
Burro’s tail requires a lot more water than many other varieties of succulents in order to maintain nice, lush leaves. Particularly when kept inside because it thrives in the well-drained container, properly soak its soil and do not water it again until the dirt dries up entirely. Stick your finger in the water to get a more precise reading, and make sure the area around your burro’s tail is at least an inch deep.
Do not overwater this drought-tolerant plant because doing so will cause it to decay. However, keep in mind that older plants require more frequent watering; make sure to check the soil frequently. Once every 14 days, you should water your burro’s tail.
To ensure that the collected salts from fertilizers and water flow out of your plant pot, make sure to give it a thorough drink. Water your donkey’s tail more frequently, or every nine days, during the growing season when the days are warmer. Succulents in clay containers typically dry out more quickly. As a result, during the warmer season, you should make sure your plant gets enough water.
Does donkey tail enjoy the sun’s rays?
Light. Like many succulents, donkey’s tail does best in a place with a lot of warm sunshine, though it will tolerate some shade. If you decide to keep your plant indoors, choose a sunny windowsill with enough of everyday light.
How frequently should I water the tail of my burro?
Both inexperienced and experienced gardeners like burro’s tail: It is aesthetically pleasing, grows quickly, needs little maintenance or space, and is very simple to propagate—that is, to create new plants from stem or leaf cuttings. Here are some suggestions for maintaining succulents:
- 1. Put in a sunny spot. Burro tails require bright light or some sun for at least four hours each day. If your burro’s tail is an indoor plant, make sure it’s close to strong light but away from windowsills with full, intense sun. Full sun will turn the leaves pale green or yellow. If you live in a chilly climate, bring your burro’s tail inside because they prefer temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2.Use water prudently. Since burro’s tails are succulent plants, the leaves can hold water. Your burro’s tail plant will decay if you overwater it. Although experts advise watering the plant roughly every 10 days throughout the growing season when temperatures are typically above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, outdoor plants only require water every 10 to 14 days. Use the “soak and dry” procedure when it’s time to water, which specifies that the soil must be entirely dry before additional irrigation. Depending on the temperature and amount of light in your home, indoor burro’s tails only require thorough watering once a month. Discover more about succulent plant maintenance.
- 3. Use soil that drains effectively. Burro’s tails need well-draining soil, much like all succulents do. A mixed soil is best for succulents because pure garden soil would encourage root rot. Additionally, you can create your own well-draining soil by combining potting soil with equal parts horticultural grade sand, perlite, or pumice. Compost and worm castings can be fed to your burro once a month during the warm months and not at all during the winter to add extra nutrients to its tails.
- Pest surveillance. Fortunately, burro’s tails appear to be resistant to the majority of insect pests, however your plant may still have aphids or mealybugs. A burst of water from the hose or a solution of water and rubbing alcohol can be used to spritz them. Burro’s tails can be safely be treated with neem oil, a naturally occurring insecticide derived from the seeds of the neem tree.
- 5. Repot as required. Although mature plants are frequently too fragile to repot, repotting a burro’s tail is simple to perform if the plant becomes too large or outgrows its pot. The best container is a terra-cotta pot with draining holes since it will let the plant breathe and store water. Remove the plant once the dirt is completely dry, look for and remove any rotten roots, and then repot it in a fresh pot with well-draining soil. After a week of keeping the burro’s tail dry, lightly irrigate the soil to promote root growth and prevent root rot.
How much sun is required for a burro’s tail?
The burro’s tail cactus (Sedum “morganianum”) is technically a succulent rather than a cactus, despite the name. However, both need similar growing conditions, such as airy, rocky soil and lots of sunlight.
The donkey’s tail cactus, also known as the burro’s tail cactus, grows fleshy stems that trail behind it and has large, rounded leaves. Although it rarely blossoms as a houseplant, this plant blooms in the wild in the late summer and produces white, yellow, or red flowers.
It may be grown outside in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, but indoors in other climates as a houseplant. Outside, it might be summertime.
Light and Temperature Requirements
The burro’s tail cactus enjoys full sun for six to eight hours each day, but if it’s grown outdoors, it needs some protection from the sweltering afternoon sun. Place it where it will get morning sun for a few hours and afternoon shade.
The burro’s tail cactus can usually withstand harsh sunlight coming through a western or southern window when planted indoors as a houseplant, but if it begins to exhibit signs of too much sun, it may need to be placed further away from the window.
The leaves will turn from their deep shade of green to a dull green or even gray when exposed to too much sun. To shield itself from too much sun, it may also produce a waxy, white layer on the leaves. If these symptoms appear, relocate the plant to a location that gets less direct sunlight. If the light coming through your window is too strong, you might also hang a sheer curtain to block it.
The burro’s tail cactus will suffer from chilly drafts around windows because it loves temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees, but it should survive in typical household conditions. For brief periods, it can withstand temperatures as low as 40 degrees.
It thrives in homes with average humidity levels but suffers in very humid environments. Keep burro’s tail cactus away from moist locations like the restroom.
Although the burro’s tail cactus can withstand drought conditions and can store water in its fleshy leaves, it still needs frequent watering to stay healthy. The best way to water your burro’s tail cactus is to give it a good soak, let the soil dry up, and then give it another good soak. In the summer, when the plant is actively growing, indoor plants normally need watering once a month, whereas outside plants may require watering every two weeks. As development slows in the winter, reduce watering.
Soil & Fertilizing
For the roots of the burro’s tail cactus to remain strong, it needs stony, well-drained soil. Make your own cactus potting soil by mixing equal parts builder’s sand, perlite, and all-purpose potting soil, or use a high-quality mix already made. Sand should be added to the soil if you are growing cacti outside to give it the preferred texture.
The burro’s tail cactus does benefit from fertilizer even if it is not a big feeder. Feed your burro’s tail cactus during the summer with either a liquid fertilizer made specifically for cacti and succulents or a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 mixed at 1/4 strength. When you water the plant once each month, apply it. In the winter, it doesn’t require fertilizer.
Repotting
Burro’s tail cactus repotting can be difficult because the “tails” can be delicate and quickly fall off the plant. As a general rule, you should let your burro’s tail plant grow in the same pot for as long as it is feasible, although repotting might be necessary if it gets too big or congested.
- Before attempting to repot the plant, let the soil dry out.
- Select a replacement container that is between one and two sizes bigger than the old one.
- Moist cactus potting mix should fill the new container to the 3/4 mark.
- Remove the burro’s tail cactus from its pot and give the roots a gentle shake to remove as much soil as you can without uprooting the ‘tails’.
- Spread out the roots as they are positioned in the soil.
- To secure the plant in place, backfill the area around the roots with fresh soil and lightly press it down with your hands.
- Before watering the newly potted plant, let it sit for at least a week.
Why is the tail of my donkey losing leaves?
You should try to determine the cause of any leaf loss on your burro’s tail. Is it just because the plant is delicate, or may there be something more serious going on?
A plant that can withstand drought is burro’s tail. Additionally, throughout the winter, when it is dormant, it requires no water at all. Check to see if the soil is completely dry before you water your plant.
You are overwatering the plant and causing its leaves to drop off if you water a burro’s tail when the soil is still damp from the last watering. Reduce watering and check that the draining hole is not clogged to fix the problem.
Root rot is another issue that requires caution. Overwatering frequently results in root rot because too much moisture encourages the growth of dangerous bacteria that cause rot in the plant’s roots and leaves.
After you water the soil, see if it takes too long to dry. The soil is not draining adequately, therefore this indicates. You need to dig a little and manually inspect the roots to be certain.
The burro’s tail has root rot if the roots are turning brown. You must remove the plant and carefully trim away all of the decaying components in order to save the plant.
Allow the roots to dry over a few days so that calluses can develop over them. Repot the plant in a suitable, quick-draining soil mixture to finish.