Donkey Tail

Donkey Tail (Sedum morganianum), also called burro's tail or lamb's tail, belongs to the Crassulaceae (stonecrop) family and is native to southern Mexico and Guatemala, where it grows as a trailing groundcover on rocky cliffs and slopes. It is one of the most recognizable trailing succulents in the world.

The plump, overlapping leaves are its defining feature — each leaf is a thick, pointed, blue-green cylinder 1 to 2 inches long, packed so densely along the trailing stems that the stem itself is hidden. The leaves grow in a spiral pattern, creating a braided, rope-like appearance that gives the plant its common names.

Donkey tail grows slowly for a succulent — typically 4 to 8 inches per year — and can trail 2 to 4 feet from a hanging basket. It is one of the most photogenic trailing succulents, and a mature specimen in a hanging pot creates a genuine living curtain of green.

Donkey Tail thrives in bright indirect light — it grows fastest near an east or south window with filtered light, and a few hours of direct morning sun is fine and encourages compact, dense growth.

Shade is the real enemy here — in dim rooms the stems stretch thin, the tightly packed leaves spread apart, and the whole plant loses the rope-like density that makes it attractive. A bright windowsill is non-negotiable for a full-looking donkey tail.

Full afternoon sun won't kill it, but the blue-green coloring can bleach to a pale yellow-green and the leaf tips may dry out. Morning sun from an east window with protection from the harshest afternoon rays is the ideal balance.

Donkey Tail stores water in its plump leaves and needs far less water than most houseplants; let the soil dry out completely between waterings, which usually means every 10 to 14 days in spring and summer, stretching to every 3 to 4 weeks in fall and winter when growth slows.

When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly until water runs from the drainage hole, then empty the saucer. Overwatering is the number one killer of donkey tail — the roots rot quickly in soggy soil. A deep, infrequent soak mimics the natural rain pattern this species evolved with in Mexico.

If the leaves start to look slightly wrinkled or deflated, the plant is thirsty. If the leaves are plump and shiny, hold off on watering. Donkey tail is much more likely to die from overwatering than underwatering — when in doubt, wait a few more days.

Standard houseplant potting mix holds too much water for donkey tail roots. A fast-draining blend is essential — either a commercial cactus and succulent mix or a homemade ratio of two parts standard potting soil to one part perlite and one part coarse sand. The goal is soil that drains within seconds of watering and never stays soggy at the bottom.

Terra cotta pots are ideal because the porous clay wicks moisture from the soil faster than plastic or glazed ceramic. Hanging baskets are the classic display — choose a lightweight basket and hang it where the trailing stems can cascade freely without being bumped.

Donkey tail grows slowly and tolerates being root-bound; repot only when roots are visibly circling the bottom or pushing the plant up out of the pot — typically every 2 to 3 years. When you do repot, go up only one pot size (1-2 inches wider) and use fresh succulent mix. A pot that is too large holds excess moisture around the roots and invites rot.

Donkey Tail propagates from stem cuttings, but the leaves are extremely fragile and pop off easily. The trick is to gently twist off a section of stem with leaves attached, let it callous for a day, then place it on top of moist succulent mix.

Cut a 3-4 inch section of stem with several leaves, making the cut just below a leaf node. Let the cut end dry for 1 to 2 days until it forms a callous. Then lay the cutting on top of moist succulent mix, pressing it gently into the soil. Place in bright indirect light and water sparingly until roots develop — typically within 3 to 4 weeks.

Leaf propagation also works but is slower. Gently twist off a healthy leaf, lay it flat on moist succulent mix, and mist occasionally. After a few weeks, tiny roots and a miniature plantlet emerge from the base of the leaf. It takes several months before the new plant is large enough to pot up on its own.

Donkey Tail is susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, and scale — especially in dry winter air; aphids are the most common, appearing as small green or black clusters on new growth.

For light infestations, wipe the affected areas with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol or apply diluted neem oil. Our neem oil for houseplants guide covers mixing ratios. For heavier infestations, isolate the plant and treat weekly until the pests are gone.

The most common non-pest problems are mushy stems (overwatering or root rot), leggy growth (insufficient light), and dropped leaves (rough handling or being bumped). Most of these resolve with a stable care routine and gentle placement.

Donkey tail grows painfully slowly — a healthy plant adds only 4 to 8 inches of trailing growth per year. The most active period is late spring through early summer, when consistent warmth and light produce the densest, most rope-like growth.

Summer is the time to feed and water more generously. A monthly dose of diluted succulent fertilizer during the growing season makes a real difference in stem thickness and leaf density. Take stem cuttings in midsummer when the plant is most vigorous.

Winter is when most donkey tails look their worst. The older leaves near the base may wrinkle or drop — this is normal seasonal shedding, not underwatering. Cut back watering to once a month and keep the plant above 50°F. Cold damage is irreversible and shows as translucent, mushy leaves.

Donkey Tail is mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested; the leaves contain alkaloids that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy when chewed, and the symptoms are uncomfortable but rarely life-threatening.

Like most Sedum species, donkey tail sap can cause mild skin irritation. The real hazard is accidental ingestion — the bitter taste usually prevents more than a nibble, but keep it away from toddlers as well as pets.

If you want a pet-safe trailing succulent, consider string of hearts (non-toxic, trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves) or peperomia (thick, fleshy leaves, non-toxic). For a broader list, our houseplant collection flags pet safety on every profile.

The standard Sedum morganianum is the most common, but a few related species offer different leaf shapes and growth habits; all share the same care requirements — bright indirect light, low water, and warm temperatures.