Burro's Tail Sedum morganianum

Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this

A trailing Mexican succulent grown for its long, ropy stems packed with plump, blue-green leaves shaped like grains of rice. It spills beautifully from hanging baskets and high shelves, but those gorgeous beads detach at the lightest touch — so pick its spot and leave it be.

Light

Burro's Tail wants the brightest spot you can give it — a south or west window, or close to an east window, where it gets several hours of bright light and a little direct morning sun. Strong light keeps the stems compact and the leaves fat and tightly packed, sometimes blushing pink or silver at the tips. Too little light and the stems stretch, the spacing between leaves widens, and the trademark plump look thins out. If you're moving it outdoors or to a sunnier window, acclimate it over a couple of weeks — sudden full midday sun will scorch the beads with brown sunburn patches.

Watering

Water like a true succulent: soak the soil thoroughly, then let it dry out completely before watering again — roughly every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer and once a month or less in winter. Those swollen leaves are water-storage tanks, so the plant tolerates drought far better than wet feet. Soft, translucent, mushy beads that drop at a glance mean overwatering; shriveled, wrinkled leaves mean it's gone too long thirsty. Water at the soil line and avoid drenching the foliage, since trapped moisture among the dense beads invites rot. Always tip out any water left in the saucer.

Soil & potting

Use a gritty, sharply draining cactus and succulent mix — or stretch a standard mix with a generous helping of perlite, pumice, or coarse sand so water races through. The roots are fine and shallow, and they rot quickly in anything that stays soggy. Always plant in a pot with a drainage hole; terracotta is ideal because it wicks moisture and breathes. Repot only every few years, in spring, and handle the strands as little as possible — the leaves shed at a touch. An unglazed pot also adds welcome weight to balance those heavy, top-trailing stems.

Humidity & temperature

Dry household air suits Burro's Tail perfectly — it's a desert-adapted succulent with no need for misting or a humidity tray, both of which only encourage rot among the crowded leaves. Keep it comfortably warm, between 65–80°F, and protect it from frost: it can't survive freezing and should come indoors or under cover when nights dip toward 40°F. It will tolerate the heat of a bright windowsill happily. Steady warmth and good air movement around the strands keep the foliage firm and disease-free.

Fertilizing

Burro's Tail is a light feeder and grows slowly, so go easy. Feed once or twice during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to quarter or half strength, or use a fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Skip feeding entirely in fall and winter while growth pauses. Over-feeding pushes soft, weak, overly lush growth that's prone to dropping leaves and rotting, and can leave a crusty salt build-up on the soil — exactly what this lean, slow plant doesn't want. When in doubt, feed less.

Pruning & maintenance

There's little routine pruning to do — just snip off any shriveled or rotted stems with clean scissors. If a strand grows too long or a few go bare and leggy, you can trim it back to encourage branching, and the cut piece roots easily as a new plant. Handle the plant as seldom as possible: every bump knocks beads loose, and bare patches take a long time to refill since growth is slow. Save trimming for spring or summer so cuts heal and regrow during the active season.

Propagation

Wonderfully easy — in fact the leaves that fall off do half the work for you. Lay individual plump beads or short stem cuttings on top of dry, gritty mix and leave them a few days so the cut ends callus over. Set them in bright, indirect light and mist the soil lightly only every week or so. Tiny roots and a new rosette emerge from the base over several weeks. Stem cuttings root faster than single leaves. Patience is the main ingredient; this slow grower takes its time to fill out.

Common problems

Leaves falling offUsually handling or shock — sometimes overwatering or stretch from low light.→Mushy, rotting stemsAlmost always overwatering or water trapped among the leaves.→

Through the year

Spring

Growth resumes — water a little more often as the soil dries, give it one light feed, and repot now if it's truly needed.

Summer

Peak season. Water when the mix is fully dry, give it your brightest spot, and acclimate slowly before any move into stronger sun.

Fall

Growth slows — stretch out the time between waterings and stop fertilizing for the year.

Winter

Nearly dormant. Water sparingly, no more than once a month, keep it warm and bright, and protect it from cold glass and frost.

Recommended supplies for Burro's Tail

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