Updated June 2023
If you have a Donkey’s tail in your succulents’ collection, you will agree that it is a tricky plant to grow, especially indoors. While it belongs to a sturdy sedum family, this succulent is fragile and quick to drop its leaves.
Also known as Burro’s tail, this succulent can be happy growing in the adequate light, sandy soil and moderate water. However, it is crucial for you to know the appropriate growing conditions for donkey’s tail, so that you can provide it with the best care. Here are the ideal conditions for growing your burro’s tail.
Light Requirements
Burro’s tail loves to bask in the partial sun or bright shade. This captivating succulent love bright light of four hours. Keep in mind that it the scorching sun will burn it; make sure to give it morning sunlight for better growth.
Donkey's tail thrives best with lots of warm sunlight.
Furthermore, keep these hardy plants indoors at a place such as a balcony, in a sunny window, or on a patio, where it receives enough sunlight. Give your striking donkey’s tail bright light indoors during spring; it will help promote blooming. You do, however, have to make sure the pot has proper drainage to create the perfect conditions for the succulent.
Temperature
Interestingly, donkey’s tail can stay healthier outdoors all-year-round in tropical climates. However, the areas that have freezing temperatures in winter require this plant to be indoors. During the winters, make sure to keep your plant where the temperature is between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, room temperature is fine for these succulents in summers.
[Watering]How Often Should You Water Burro’s Tail?
Unlike many types of succulents, burro’s tail needs a considerable amount of water to keep the leaves attractive and plump. Soak its soil thoroughly and do not water it again until the topsoil dries out completely, especially when kept indoors because it flourishes in the well-drained container. For a more accurate measurement, stick your finger in the water and be sure that it is at least 1-inch deep around your Burro’s tail.
Since it is a drought-resistant plant, do not overwater it or else your lovely succulent will rot out. Nevertheless, remember that mature plants need water more frequently; make sure to check the soil often. It is recommended to water your burro’s tail once in every 14 days.
However, make sure to give it a thorough drink, so that the accumulated salts from fertilizers and water will flow out of your plant pot. During the growing season when the days are warmer, water your donkey’s tail more often, i.e., after every nine days. Usually, the succulents in clay pots dry out quicker. Therefore, you should make sure that your plant gets enough water in the hot season.
Fertilizer and Soil
Fertilizer is not essential for your succulent, yet you may feed a diluted solution of fertilizer two times during its growing season. But do not feed your burro’s tail fertilizer more than once a month and avoid fertilizing it during winters.
Like every other succulent, burro’s tail requires good drainage to grow healthy. Moreover, the water should be drained fast to avoid over-absorption to roots. It is better to use a soil mix that does not settle in water for long; instead, it ensures good drainage while keeping your plant damage-free.
Image by Succulents Box
Donkey's Tail is the perfect plant for hanging pots.
For that, you can choose a commercial cactus mix. If not, you can make well-draining soil mixture on your own by combining the equal parts of perlite or pumice and potting soil. To make it grow healthier, cover the container with worm castings, and compost in spring.
[Insects or Pests]How to Control Insects or Pests?
Burro’s tail is not prone to many insects or pests; they usually get aphids. If unfortunately, your donkey’s tail develops them, hose them off every month. If that doesn’t work, spray your succulent with a mixture of 4/5 water and 1/5 rubbing alcohol. Besides, you can also use Neem oil to remove them from your plant.
[Propagation]How to propagate the Donkey’s Tail?
Donkey's tail rarely flowers indoors, so propagating by seed isn't a viable option. But, like most succulents, the donkey's tail can be propagated easily by its leaves or the stem cuttings.
Image by Succulents Box
Propagating Donkey's tail from leaf cuttings is the most straightforward method
By leaf cuttings
If you notice, the leaves of this succulent fall off very easily. Luckily, these leaves are easy to propagate so they don’t go to waste.
To propagate, choose leaves from a plant that has been watered recently, so that they are nice and plump, full of water. Avoid working with shriveled or broken leaves, since they will fail to root. Put the leaves aside for about 2 - 3 days to allow them callus over.
Fill a pot with succulent soil mix. Then lay the leaves on top of the soil, making sure they make contact with the medium. Mist regularly whenever you see the surface of the soil dries out to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Within a week, you will see new growth start to emerge.
By stem cuttings
First, snip off a plump and healthy stem at least three inches in length by a sterilized cutting tool. and put it in a dry location out of direct sunlight to allow them to callus over. Then, take off the bottom leaves to expose an inch (you can propagate those, too).
Fill the pot with succulent soil mix and use your finger or a chopstick to make holes in the potting soil, and insert the cuttings into the potting soil. Put the propagated pot in bright, indirect light, and mist the soil around the cuttings whenever the surface feels dry. It will take up a couple of weeks for the cuttings to root.
[Repotting]How to Re-pot the Donkey’s Tail?
When you want to re-pot your burro’s tail, place it in a 6-8 inch pot and supplement the soil with the fresh soil occasionally. Avoid repotting the mature plant, since doing so can damage your succulent. Keep in mind that donkey’s tail is one of the most brittle and delicate succulents.
Learn How to repot your hanging succulent without killing it with our blog post!
[FAQ]Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is donkey tail succulent toxic?
Even though the Burros Tail is non-toxic to cats and dogs, it’s a good idea to keep it (and all Sedum) out of the reach of children, pets and livestock.
2. Is donkey tail succulent easy to care?
With its trailing stems and plump, bluish leaves, donkey's tail sedum makes a striking houseplant that's easy to care for.
3. Why is my donkey tail shriveling?
Wrinkling or shriveling of leaves is often a sign of dehydration from either too much light or not enough water. If you notice that your donkey tail's leaves are softness or yellowing, this is more likely a sign of not enough light or too much water.
You can also watch the video below to see some of the tips in action!
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