How to Take Care of a Donkey Tail Plant - Tips & Tricks

The donkey tail (Sedum Morganianum, Horse’s Tail, and Burros’ Tail) is a succulent plant from Central America. This houseplant is well-known for being drought-tolerant and thrives in warm to hot climates. Its stem appears woven, has vibrant blue-green leaves, and can appear chalky. Here are some tips on how to take care of a donkey tail plant!

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How Often Do You Water a Donkey Tail Plant?

The donkey tail requires more water than most succulent plants. This particular plant needs water every about two to three weeks. Generally, opt-in for about a thorough watering each month. An easy way to make sure the plant drains out is to plant them in hanging baskets.

When watering, moisten the soil thoroughly but don’t water it again until the topsoil dries. To get an accurate reading, stick your finger in the ground. The water shouldn’t be more than one inch deep. If you’re repotting, make sure there is proper drainage in the pot. The water needs to be draining soil to remove the salts from the fertilizer.

During the warmer months, the donkey tail will need more water. Remember to taper during the fall to winter months. Once they become mature plants, they can survive a few missed watering sessions.

A good rule of thumb is to let the plant dry out between watering sessions. When in doubt, opt-in for less water. The leaves can hold moisture in their beaded leaves. Know this: it can handle drought better than overwatering.

How Much Sun Does a Donkey Tail Plant Need?

Like most succulents, the burro’s tail thrives in warm climates with lots of bright light. This astounding plant enjoys at least four hours of daylight. If you give it sun, use the morning sun.

However, you should watch for signs of burning of the leaves via direct sunlight. Leaving the plant in direct sunlight over time might turn the leaves yellow. If the leaves start turning yellow, that is a sign that the plant is getting too much sun.

What Environment Works Best for a Donkey Tail Plant?

Since the donkey tail plant originates from Central America (Mexico and Honduras), warm, temperate climates work best if you can replicate that in your home. One way to mimic the warm temperatures of Central America is to keep the plant by a windowsill. The ideal temperature is between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep regular care for this houseplant until its growing season in late summer. During the winter months, it can survive in temperatures as low as 40 degrees. When it gets this cold, you can stop fertilizing until it gets warmer than 50 degrees.

When the spring hits, consider repotting your donkey’s tail. If the stems fill or overflow the pot, it’s an excellent sign to repot the donkey tail. Be careful though, the leaves might be fragile from the cold and can break off.

Does a Donkey Tail Plant Enjoy Humidity?

A donkey tail plant prefers moderate levels of moisture. If it’s too humid, there’s a high risk of root rot. Don’t worry about misting its leaves or keeping it in a damp room like a bathroom. Ideally, it would be inside or outside with some airflow.

What Type of Fertilizer Works Best for a Donkey Tail Plant?

A balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer works best for this plant if you go down this path. However, a donkey tail plant doesn’t need fertilizer to grow, but you should add it in the spring if you still want to.

What If a Donkey Tail Plant Loses Leaves?

Losing leaves is an easy indicator that it’s not receiving the right amount of water. When it’s losing its leaves, notice the frequency and amount of leaves dropping. If it’s a regular occurrence or losing a lot, change the water routine.

Is a Donkey Tail Plant Easy to Propagate?

The donkey tail is easy to propagate through its leaves. If you want to have more donkey tail plants, take the leaves and set them aside. They will be ready to put into a small pot once the leaves have scabbed over.

Insert the leaves with some cacti or succulent soil mixture. Expose about half the leaves when covering with potting soil. Water about once a week until new plants start to grow.

How Tall Does a Donkey Tail Plant Grow?

The donkey tail plant grows slowly over time, but it generally is 24 inches with proper care. However, the plant can grow even more than that if the environment for the plant is ideal, like being near a warm window or hot climate.

Conclusion – How to Take Care of a Donkey Tail Plant

In summary, taking care of a donkey tail plant can be straightforward with these tips in this blog post. Keep it warm, water a bit when dry, and be careful when handling the plant directly. Also, check to see how vibrant the leaves areas you’re changing its water levels.

Finally, If the plant seems done growing and losing leaves, reduce the watering frequency. An easy indicator that the plant is done growing is that the leaves are holding their vibrant color consistently.