Burro's Tail

Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum) is the trailing succulent everyone recognises, with fat, overlapping blue-green leaves that hang in long tails from a central growing point. The tails reach 30cm or more, so it belongs in a hanging pot or on a high shelf where they can drop freely. Pink flowers can appear at the tips in summer, but the tails are the reason to buy it.

Why you'll love it

• Instantly recognisable. Plump blue-green leaves stack along each stem like beads, making a living rope that no other houseplant quite matches.
• Made for hanging. The tails hang from a central point, so a hanging pot or a plant on a high shelf shows them at their best.
• Low demands. It wants bright light and water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
• Grows with age. Young leaves start rounded and lengthen as they mature, so the tails become longer and more dramatic over time.
• Works indoors and out. A bright indoor plant, and a rockery plant in a mild, frost-free climate.

Where it works best

Hanging baskets and pots. One plant per 15cm to 20cm hanging pot is enough. Hang it high and out of the way of knocks, because the leaves break off easily.

Bright rooms and shelves. On a shelf or plant stand, the tails trail down the front. Choose a bright spot with no foot traffic.

Rockeries in mild climates. In a frost-free garden it spills over the edge of a rockery or wall. Tuck it into a sheltered spot with sharp drainage.

Growing Burro's Tail in Australia

Position and climate. Bright light, with a little protection from scorching afternoon summer sun in hot climates. It is frost tender, so outside it suits frost-free subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. In frosty districts keep it as a houseplant.

Soil. Free-draining, gritty soil, or a cactus and succulent mix in pots. Use a pot with drainage holes.

Water and feed. Water sparingly, only when the soil is dry to the touch, and cut back in winter when temperatures drop. Feed in the growing seasons with a slow release food for container plants.

Pruning. No pruning is needed. Handle it as little as you can, because leaves break off at a touch. Leaves that drop can be pressed onto gritty mix, where many will root.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Burro's Tail as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, as well as in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 200mm pots in packs of 6. The tube is the way to start with a young plant, while the larger pots bring longer tails from the day they arrive. Leaves are fragile, so a few may drop in transit. Unpack it with care and handle it by the pot.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. If the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page will email you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Succulent range
• Indoor plants
• Plants for pots
• Succulent care guide for Australia

Common questions

Why do the leaves keep breaking off?

They are only loosely attached, so a knock, a brush or rough handling dislodges them. Hang the plant where it will not be touched, and move it as little as you can.

Why are the leaves on mine short and round?

Young leaves start off rounded and lengthen as they mature, so a young plant looks quite different from a mature trailing one.

How often should I water it?

Sparingly. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, and ease off in winter when temperatures drop. Overwatering is a more common cause of loss than forgetting.