How to care for Burro’s Tail indoors – detailed guide

Who wouldn’t want to decorate their room with a beautiful climbing plant growing in a hanging planter. Then you should consider Sedum morganianum, better known as Burro’s Tail or Donkey’s Tail. This climbing succulent plant is highly prized for its dangling shoots with amazing leaves. We couldn’t help but turn our attention to Burro’s Tail. Check out our detailed care guide for Donkey’s Tail and this plant will grace your home for a long time to come.

Classification and description of Sedum morganianum

Burro’s Tail is a succulent native to southern Mexico and Honduras. In the wild it grows on rocky cliffs and slopes in arid or semi-arid regions. The exact discovery of Sedum morganianum is unclear, as it has been cultivated in greenhouses and nurseries for many years. However, it is believed that Sedum morganianum was first collected in the wild by botanist Eric Walter in the early 20th century in Veracruz, Mexico.

This species of Sedum got its name after the enthusiastic and experienced gardener, Dr. Meredith Walter Morgan.
The plant has long, drooping stems that can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) long. They are reddish-brown in color and quite brittle, and can easily break off if the plant is mishandled or too actively moved. The shoots are covered entirely with thick, puffy leaves about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, resembling the tail of a donkey or mink, hence the common name. The leaves are bluish green and slightly curved, cylindrical in shape. They are covered with a powdery white or gray patina that helps protect the plant from the sun.

In summer, the plant produces small, star-shaped, pink or red flowers, although they are relatively insignificant compared to the foliage.

Burro’s tail is not toxic to humans, but may be moderately toxic to some pets.

How to grow for Burro’s Tail or Donkey’s Tail

Like all plants, Burro’s Tail requires proper care and attention to thrive. We will provide you with a detailed guide to caring for Burro’s Tail indoors.

Lighting requirements for Burro’s Tail indoors

Burro’s Tail likes bright, indirect light. It’s important to avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the succulent’s delicate leaves. Place the pot with the plant near a south-facing window, but make sure it is shaded by simple curtains or blinds. If you don’t have a south-facing window, you can place Sedum morganianum near an east or west-facing window. In that case, you may have to supplement the light with artificial grow lights in the winter to ensure that the plant gets enough light.

Soil requirements

Donkey’s Tail prefers well-drained soil with weak acidity.

You can use a commercial soil mix for cacti or succulents by adding perlite, or create your own by mixing potting soil with perlite, pumice, or sand to improve drainage.

Temperature and Humidity

Burro’s Tail prefers warm temperatures between 60-80 °F (15-27 °C). It can tolerate temperatures up to 50 °F (10 °C) in the winter, but do not expose the plant to temperatures below this range. Provide Sedum morganianum with a medium-humidity room. It is a succulent and does not tolerate high humidity well, but can benefit from periodic spraying to provide a little extra moisture.

Watering Burro’s Tail

Watering Sedum morganianum should be approached with the utmost care. During the summer, the soil is watered regularly, especially in the heat. It is important that it be moistened as the top layer dries out. Remember. With a lack of moisture, the succulent feels better than with an overabundance of moisture.

During the winter, it is definitely worth reducing the frequency of watering and monitor the moisture level of the soil. Water is applied as infrequently as possible, because the process of moisture evaporation slows down during the cold season. It is important not to allow the process of rotting of the roots. Therefore, during the winter season it is recommended to water Donkey’s Tail twice less than during the active growth phase.

Burro’s Tail fertilizer

To see Sedum morganianum bloom, you need to fertilize properly. The ideal is to use complex liquid formulations in the spring and summer. Use a balanced fertilizer diluted to half the rate. In the fall and winter, any fertilizing is kept to a minimum. As winter approaches, it will be necessary to stop applying nutrients.

Pruning Sedum morganianum

Donkey’s tail can grow quite long, and its stems can become too heavy and droopy. You can prune the plant to give it a more compact shape, and use the cuttings to propagate new plants. Trimming should be done during the growing season. You can also pinch the tops to encourage branching and make the plant more dense.

Transplanting

Sedum morganianum grows slowly and does not require frequent transplanting. It can be transplanted every two to three years or when it has outgrown its current pot. Experts recommend that the transplanting process be done very carefully. Even a light touch to the delicate leaves will cause them to fall off.

Burro’s tail propagation

Sedum morganianum is easily propagated by stem cuttings. Simply cut off the stem with a few leaves, let it dry out for a day or two, and then plant it in well-drained soil. Water sparingly until the plant takes root and begins to grow.

 

Diseases and pests of Sedum morganianum

Despite its hardiness, Burro’s tail is not immune to several diseases and pests, including root rot, fungal infections, mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects.

We’ll look at each of these problems and give tips on preventing them and treating them effectively.

Root rot

This is a fungal disease that affects the roots of many plant species, including Sedum morganianum. This disease is guaranteed if your succulent is in moist and poorly drained soil, which will eventually lead to the death of the plant. You will know the plant is diseased by yellowing or wilting leaves, mushy stems and an unpleasant odor emanating from the soil. To prevent root rot, make sure you use well-drained soil and avoid frequent and watering. If you suspect Burro’s Tail is affected by root rot, remove it from the soil, trim off the damaged roots and transplant it into fresh soil. Be sure to regulate the frequency of watering to prevent the disease from developing again.

Fungal infections

Another common problem with Sedum morganianum. These diseases can cause discoloration, wilting and deformation of leaves and stems. The most common infections affecting Burro’s Tail are powdery mildew, leaf spot and stem rot. To prevent the spread of the fungus, make sure you keep the plant in a well-ventilated room with good air circulation, avoid crowding and remove infected leaves or stems in a timely manner. You can also use fungicide sprays to control fungal diseases.

Mealybugs

These little white insects feed on the sap of Burro’s Tail plants and can cause stunted growth, wilting and yellowing of leaves and can even infect the plant with other diseases. Mealy bugs are especially attracted to succulent plants with soft, succulent leaves, so Burro’s Tail is their main target. To keep Donkey’s Tail free of the pest, inspect the plant regularly and remove visible pests by hand. You can also use a natural insecticide, such as neem oil, to keep their population down. For severe infestations, use a systemic insecticide.

Spider mites and scale insects

These common pests can infest Burro’s Tail plants. These pests also feed on the sap of the plant, causing yellowing, wilting and deforming of leaves and stems. To prevent these pests, keep the plant in a well-ventilated area and avoid crowding. Infested plants should be sprayed with a natural insecticide or a weak solution of soap and water, or remove the pests by hand. If the infestation is severe, a systemic insecticide can help.

Burro’s tail propagation

To propagate such a plant, several methods are used – cuttings and division of the bush. Seeds are not used for such purposes, because the varietal traits in such representatives will not be inherited.

The method of cuttings

Conducting cuttings can be carried out either before or after flowering. For such purposes, you will need to cut off the top part of the shoot up to 3 inches (7 cm) long. Be sure to remove all the lower leaves.

For rooting, you need to prepare in advance the substrate described above. The cuttings are placed in the soil so that one node is under the soil. When the cuttings are rooted, they are transplanted to a permanent place.

It is also possible to propagate Donkey’s tail by a leaf. To do this, several leaves are removed from the shoot and we put them on the soil surface. This method allows 70 percent of the cuttings to take root.

Shrub division

Adult plants are often propagated by this method. In early spring, you will need to dig up the plant, remove all the soil from the rhizome.
Succulent shoots should be divided so that the roots remain on each part. Treatment of the cuts with fungicide is mandatory. Cuttings are necessarily dried, and only after that are planted on a permanent location.

Superstitions about Burro’s tail

Like many plants, Sedum morganianum has its own omens and superstitions associated with it. Here are some of them:

• Luck: In some nations, Burro’s tail is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the home where it is grown. It is believed to attract positive energy and ward off negative influences.
• Love and romance: Sedum morganianum is also associated with love and romance. It is believed that if you give Burro’s tail to a loved one, it will strengthen the bond between you and bring you closer together.
• Protection: Some people believe that the plant has protective properties. Sedum morganianum is said to ward off evil spirits and negative energy, so this plant is liked to keep in the home or office.
• Adversity: On the other hand, there are some superstitions associated with Burro’s tail that say it can bring bad luck if not cared for properly. It is said that if the leaves fall off or the plant dies, it can bring bad luck to the family.

Using Sedum morganianum in home decor

We’ll provide some ideas for incorporating this plant into your interior design:

• A hanging plant: Burro’s long, stretchy stems make it ideal for a hanging planter. You can hang it in a bright corner of the room or near a window where it will get indirect sunlight.
• Terrarium: You can also create a mini desert landscape by placing Sedum morganianum in a terrarium. It will thrive in dry, arid conditions and will add a touch of green to your decor.
• Table centerpiece: Burro’s tail can also be used as a table centerpiece. Place the plant in a decorative pot or bowl and surround it with fine pebbles or sand. This will create a natural and elegant look.
• Wall Decor: You can also create a living wall by placing Burro’s tail on an upright planter or wooden pallet. This will create a beautiful and unique decoration for your room.

Regardless of how you use Burro’s tail in your decor, it is important to remember that the succulent needs bright, indirect sunlight. With proper care, Sedum morganianum will add a touch of natural beauty to your home.

Source photo flickr.com