Burro's Tail Identification Guide

Key Identifying Features

Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum), also called donkey's tail, is a trailing succulent whose stems are densely covered in fat, overlapping blue-green leaves, giving each stem the look of a plump braid or animal's tail.

• Long trailing/pendant stems, often 30-60 cm or longer
• Leaves plump, teardrop or banana-shaped, 1.5-2 cm long, packed tightly and overlapping
• Color blue-green to grey-green with a powdery waxy bloom (farina)
• Leaves detach very easily at the lightest touch

Leaves & Stems

The individual leaves are fleshy, plump, and pointed, curving slightly upward like little bananas, and spiral densely around the stem so that the stem itself is hidden. A chalky glaucous coating rubs off if handled, leaving fingerprints, which is normal. The stems are soft and flop downward under their own weight, making this a classic hanging-basket plant.

The leaves are notoriously fragile and shatter off with the slightest bump; each fallen leaf can root and grow a new plant. A true S. morganianum has stems that look solid and rounded like a tail because of how tightly the leaves overlap.

Flowers & Fruit

Mature plants may produce clusters of small star-shaped flowers at the tips of trailing stems, usually in summer. Flowers are pink, red, or maroon, about 1 cm across, hanging in terminal cymes. Flowering is uncommon indoors. Fruit is an insignificant dry follicle; the plant is far more often identified by foliage alone.

How to Tell It Apart from Look-Alikes

• Sedum 'Burrito' (baby burro's tail) has shorter, rounder, beadier leaves that point outward less and are less pointed; stems look chunkier and the leaves cling more firmly.
• Donkey's tail vs. similar trailing sedums: true burro's tail has long, plump, pointed banana-leaves; if leaves are short and rounded it is likely 'Burrito'.
• String of bananas (Curio radicans) has glassy, curved banana leaves but they are spaced along a thin visible stem, not densely overlapping.
• The waxy blue-grey bloom plus overlapping plump leaves on a heavy hanging stem confirms burro's tail.

Where You'll Find It

Native to southern Mexico and Honduras, growing on rocky cliffs and ledges. As a houseplant it is almost always grown in hanging baskets or elevated pots where its tails can cascade. It needs bright light and very well-drained, gritty soil.

Quick ID Checklist

• Long trailing stems like braided tails
• Plump, pointed banana-shaped blue-green leaves
• Powdery waxy bloom that rubs off
• Leaves overlap densely and detach easily
• Pink/red star flowers at stem tips in summer