Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
low lightpet cautionToxic to pets
SPECIMEN NO. 340
Native toMexico: Veracruz, Puebla, and Chiapas
Pet safe
Burro's Tail
Sedum morganianum
Also known as: Donkey's Tail, Lamb's Tail
A trailing succulent with long, cascading stems densely covered in plump, overlapping, blue-green leaves resembling a braided tail. A popular choice for hanging baskets and shelves.
14–28dwatering range
bright indirect to some directlight needs
16–24°Ctemperature
Watering amount
How much water does my Burro's Tail need?
Estimated guideline, not a precise measurement — scale up for larger pots, brighter light, or active growth; scale down for smaller pots, lower light, or winter dormancy. Always water until it drains from the pot's base rather than measuring exactly. Use soil moisture and plant condition as the primary guide; the ml value is only a rough estimate.
Watering guide
Season note
Water every 2-4 weeks in the growing season and every 4-6 weeks in winter, letting the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Overwatering signs
Root rot, mushy stems
Underwatering signs
Shriveled, deflated leaves; leaf drop when handled
Light & placement
Light level
bright indirect to some direct
Best rooms
Care details
Soil
Fast-draining cactus/succulent mix
Humidity
Low; standard household humidity is fine
Fertilizer
Diluted cactus fertilizer once or twice through spring and summer
Temperature range
16°C – 24°C
Plant care guide
Burro's tail, botanically Sedum morganianum and also commonly called donkey's tail, is native to Mexico, particularly the states of Veracruz, Puebla, and Chiapas, where it has been documented growing on vertical cliffs of igneous rock within tropical deciduous forest habitat. It belongs to the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae, and has an unusually well-documented and genuinely interesting discovery history for a common houseplant: the species was first brought into cultivation by the American botanist Eric Walther, who encountered the plant during his travels through Mexico in the 1930s and introduced it to California, where it has remained in continuous, widespread cultivation ever since. The species belongs to the large and widely distributed genus Sedum, commonly known as stonecrop, which includes numerous other popular succulent species valued for similarly easy propagation and drought tolerance, though burro's tail's distinctively long, densely leaved, cascading stems set it apart visually from the more compact, mat-forming or upright growth habits typical of many of its stonecrop relatives. Remarkably, despite having been grown and sold commercially since 1935, the plant's actual wild, naturally occurring population wasn't formally located and documented by botanists until 2008, when Mexican researchers identified genuine wild specimens growing in two remote ravines in Tenampa, a county in central Veracruz — meaning the species spent over seventy years as a widely cultivated houseplant before its native distribution became better documented.
The plant's common name comes directly from its distinctive growth habit: long, trailing stems, capable of reaching up to three feet or more in length, densely covered in small, plump, teardrop- or bead-shaped, blue-green leaves that overlap tightly along the stem in a pattern genuinely reminiscent of a braided animal's tail. This cascading form has made burro's tail one of the most popular succulents specifically for hanging baskets, where its stems can trail freely and be fully appreciated without the risk of damage that ground-level or shelf placement would invite. Under stress conditions such as intense heat or full, unfiltered sun exposure, the leaf tips can develop a pinkish blush, adding an additional layer of seasonal color variation to the plant's typically blue-green appearance.
Toxicity
Pets: Non-toxic to pets
Humans: Non-toxic to humans
Pet-safety references generally regard Sedum morganianum as non-toxic; no documented toxic principle affecting humans either.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burro's Tail safe for cats and dogs?+
Yes, it's considered non-toxic per the ASPCA, though eating a large amount could still cause mild stomach upset.
How often should I water Burro's Tail?+
Every 2-4 weeks in summer and every 4-6 weeks in winter, letting the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Why do the leaves on my Burro's Tail fall off so easily?+
This is normal — the leaves detach easily when touched or moved as a natural propagation strategy; handle the plant gently to avoid excess leaf drop.
