Felder Rushing
Family
Crassulaceae
Botanical Name
Sedum morganianum
Plant Common Name
Burro's Tail, Donkey's Tail
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
In the wild, the stems of burro's tail sprawl like snakes across the rocky soil. It becomes a beautiful specimen when grown in a hanging basket so its heavy stems dangle straight down like dreadlocks or chains. An evergreen succulent from the arid parts of Mexico, burro's tail is sensitive to frost.
The stems are somewhat woody but fleshy, each weighted down by hundreds of small, tear drop-shaped leaves. The pointy leaves are plump and often curl, colored pale seafoam green to light gray-green. Burro's tail rarely blooms, but it occurs in late spring to summer on the tips of the pendent stems. The small, star-like blossoms range in color from dark coral-pink to deep red.
Grow burro's tail in full to partial sun, or in very bright indirect light indoors as a houseplant. Use a fast-draining soil, such as sand, that is enriched with fertile organic matter to support growth. In the heat of late spring to fall, keep the soil evenly but lightly moist and then allow soil to remain much drier from fall to spring. Although the pendent stems are attractive spilling over rocks, walls or container edges, they are easily bruised or snapped off.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Cactus or Succulent
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2"-12" / 5.1cm - 30.5cm
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Width
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Mexico
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Prostrate/Trailing
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Magenta, Dark Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Sea Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Sea Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Light Green, Sea Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Light Green, Sea Green, Gray Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
