Sedum morganianum aka Donkey's Tail

Taxonomy

Genus Sedum Family Crassulaceae Order Saxifragales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Sedum morganianum, also known as the donkey tail or burro's tail, is a succulent perennial plant in the family Crassulaceae, originating from southern Mexico. It produces trailing stems up to 60 cm long, with fleshy blue-green leaves and terminal pink to red flowers in summer, and is adapted to living in arid regions. The plant can be found in two ravines at Tenampa county, in central Veracruz, in eastern Mexico, as well as on vertical cliffs of igneous rock in the Tropical Deciduous Forest zone. Due to its restricted geographic distribution, it is considered a micro-endemic species. The Donkey Tail plant is charismatic, with its attractive blue-green leaves and trailing stems, and is easy to propagate by carefully removing each petal to create a new plant. However, it should be noted that the plant contains toxic substances, so it must be kept away from children and pets. In its natural habitat, the plant can last approximately 6 months without water after "drinking" a lot of it during heavy rains. Although the plant is native to a small region in Mexico, it has become a popular houseplant around the world. It is important to provide adequate care to preserve its leaves, which can be lost as the plant matures, leaving a naked stem. Overall, Sedum morganianum is a unique and interesting plant that adds character to any collection.

Common names

Donkey's Tail, Burro's Tail, Cola De Burro

How to care for Donkey's Tail

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Donkey's Tail due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Donkey's Tail does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

The Donkey's Tail is delicate when it comes to soil that is too damp, therefore, it is crucial to select a potting soil that has efficient drainage and doesn't hold an excessive amount of moisture. An ideal soil should consist of a substantial amount of perlite or vermiculite for proper drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. Mixing a few handfuls of perlite with commercially available cactus soil should produce the desired result.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Donkey's Tail prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Donkey's Tail is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

Donkey's Tail thrives in dry environments, but if you provide extra humidity or mist your plant, the lingering water on its leaves could create an ideal environment for certain fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

The growth of Donkey's Tail is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Donkey's Tail’s native range is Northern Hemisphere, South America, and Africa.

Flower

Yes, if you provide it with the correct amount of sunlight and water, you can witness your Donkey's Tail blooming.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Sedum Genus

Sedum alpestre Alpine Stonecrop

Sedum lineare Needle Stonecrop

Sedum corynephyllum Sedum Corynephyllum

Sedum clavatum

Sedum ternatum Wild Stonecrop

Sedum allantoides Flowering Stonecrop

Sedum hispanicum Spanish Stonecrop

Sedum moranense Red Stonecrop

Sedum praealtum Green Cockscomb

Sedum lucidum