The donkey tail plant also referred to as sedum morganianum or burro’s tail succulent is an evergreen beautiful and versatile plant which is characterized by its moist and juicy nature. Understanding donkey tail plant care practices and culture remains an important aspect to ensure proper growth.
Generally, the donkey tail plant births beautiful flowers that spring better during the late summer. If you desire to see your plant really blossom, adequate care is necessary. It is good practice to apply fertilizer, provide enough sunlight and moderate moisture during the growing season.
Donkey tails are the best way to spice up a space with beauty and liveliness. These plants naturally radiate good vibes all the time with their extraordinary appearance like that of an octopus.
Origin
Sedum morganianum has become popular in recent times, it is from the species of sedum genus from the family of Crassulaceae. Perennial and evergreen plants originate from the southern regions of Mexico and Honduras.
Donkey Tail Plant Propagation
Plant propagation refers to the process which grows new plant either by seeds or cuttings. One of the most interesting things about the donkey tail plant is how easy it could be propagated. Donkey tail plant propagation could be done either by stem cutting or leaf cutting. Propagating the donkey tail plant is best done during spring and summer.
Stem cutting involves trimming the stems to the desired length, peel the bottom 1/3 of the leaves off and allow the stems to heal off for about 14 to 90 days before planting.
Prepare the pot by adding your cactus and succulent mix. When the donkey tail takes root and has been transplanted then you can enrich the soil.
In the case of leaf-cutting instead of the use of stem for propagation, the individual leaf is used as a propagating medium though the processes are similar. A clean cutter should be used for propagation to avoid infection.
A mature plant gets heavier when the stems grow so while the donkey tail grows it is wise to replace their sitting pot a couple of times in years. Make modifications; choose a solid planter capable of carrying the load.
Soil Requirements
Donkey tail should be planted in a specifically prepared succulent soil, avoid using a regular potting or garden soil. One condition they dislike is being soaked for too long. Succulent soil is mixed with perlite or coarse sand just to maintain good drainage for the roots. A good combination would be potting soil (60%), perlite (15%) and coarse sand (25%0.
The Benefits of Donkey Tail Plants
The donkey tail plant is a high impact, low maintenance plant that can either be grown at outdoor sites or indoors. It has the characteristic of glowing in the sun. When grown properly its beauty is a sight to behold. Few benefits of the donkey tail plant include:
- Easy-care house plant: The donkey tail requires just a little care. Just make sure not to overwater, place in good temperature, expose to sufficient sunlight and suitable soil mixture. This plant can withstand neglect to an extent so it is suitable for a forgetful gardener.
- Non-Poisonous to Children/Pets: Unlike some houseplants, the donkey tail is tested and trusted to be zero percent poisonous to pets or children. So there is no need worrying about growing it around your home where you have children or pets.
- Beautifying your space: The place of flowers in beautifying our environments cannot be overemphasized. The donkey tail is a flowering plant that produces small juicy flowers at the tip of their stems. The flower grows better when the donkey tail plants are placed outside where sunlight reaches it directly.
Also read: Flowering Succulents Plants that will Purify your Surrounding
Common Problems of Donkey Tail Plant
There are common problems associated with growing a donkey tail plant. They include:
- Leaf withering: Leaves withering are mostly caused by overwatering during winter. This could pose a major challenge, the soil should be allowed to dry up if you observe the plant leaf withering
- Leaves turning yellow: The leaves turning yellow is an early sign of overwatering, after this stage, the leaves become weak and fall off easily if touched or shook.
- Dry leaf spots: Dryness is mostly caused by insufficient watering during summer. This could pose a major challenge; the soil should water more to avoid this condition
- Pests: The only pests to look out for are mainly mealy bugs. They could be stopped by putting the entire pot in a bag overnight with a few mothballs so the fumes can kill the bugs.
It is a fact that donkeys are reliable and rugged, so it is not surprising that their namesake, the houseplant Sedum morganianum goes by the name of donkey tail plant. Like a true donkey, this plant requires little care and indeed seems to thrive on neglect.
When donkey tail plants are treated right with enough water, but not too much, lots of sunlight and some fertilizer, they, in turn, reward us with a truly beautiful outlook. Well-cared-for plants will always birth lovely, tiny flowers in red, white or yellow colors.
Get a donkey tail plant, add the right glow to your space.
FAQs:
Q1: What is the ideal donkey tail plant growth rate?
The plant can reach full maturity in about 6 years, A donkey tail by that time could grow up to 1.5 meters long if it is well cared for.
Q2: Why is my donkey tail dying?
It could either be as a result of Under/overwatering or not enough sunshine to sustain the plant. It is also important to use the right soil mix.
Q3: Are donkey tail plants poisonous?
No, donkey tails are not poisonous.
Q4: Why is my donkey tail plant turning yellow?
This is usually as a result of overwatering succulents. In the wintertime, the burro’s tail doesn’t need as much watering as in another season.
Q5: Are donkey tail plants poisonous to cats?
No, donkey tails are not poisonous.
