How often should I water a burro’s tail?

When the soil has dried out completely, and less in winter. North Carolina State Extension’s advice is to let the soil dry between waterings, and it gives no fixed number of days.

Why do the leaves fall off my burro’s tail?

Most often because it was touched or moved. The leaves are delicate and break off when manipulated. Wet soil and poor drainage are the other causes to rule out.

Can I grow a new burro’s tail from the leaves that fell?

Yes. North Carolina State Extension says cuttings and dropped leaves root easily, so keep them on a well-drained succulent mix.

Burro’s Tail Care: Watering, Light + Pet Safety

Burro’s tail is a succulent with long, trailing stems of plump, blue-green leaves, grown in a hanging pot. It wants sun and a long dry spell, and its leaves fall off at a touch. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

How often to water a burro’s tail

North Carolina State Extension’s plant database says to let the soil dry out between waterings, to use tepid water, and to water less in winter. The plant is drought-tolerant because its leaves store water.

It needs a well-drained mix and does not tolerate wet or poorly drained conditions. South Dakota State University Extension’s general succulent advice is the same cycle: water until it runs from the drainage hole, let every drop drain away, and wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again.

Light and humidity

The North Carolina source recommends high light indoors, such as a windowsill with at least partial sun. For succulents in general, South Dakota State University Extension recommends at least six to eight hours of light, from a south or west window or from a plant light.

If the stems get long and lanky with wide gaps between leaves, the plant is not getting enough light. Rotate the pot now and then so one side does not lean toward the window.

Humidity: No figure in the sources; it is a drought-tolerant succulent.

Why is my burro’s tail dying?

Dropped leaves are usually handling, not disease. North Carolina State Extension says the leaves are quite delicate, do not tolerate heavy foot traffic and will break off if manipulated. Hang or place the pot where nobody has to brush past it.

Mushy, yellowing leaves point to too much water. The same source lists no serious disease or insect problems apart from occasional slugs and snails outdoors, and it says to avoid wet or poorly drained conditions. Mealybugs, which look like small cottony masses, are a general succulent pest and can be treated with rubbing alcohol.

It is a warm-climate plant. The North Carolina source lists USDA zones 10 and 11 and says it tolerates temperatures down to 40°F outdoors, so keep it indoors in a cold climate.

How to propagate a burro’s tail

This is one of the easy plants to multiply. North Carolina State Extension says cuttings and dropped leaves root easily, and lists division, leaf cuttings and stem cuttings as methods.

That makes the fallen leaves worth keeping. Set them on a well-drained succulent mix and leave them to root, rather than sweeping them away.

Is a burro’s tail safe for pets and children?

cats: Non-toxic. Source: ASPCA, Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum).
dogs: Non-toxic. Source: ASPCA, Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum).
People, including children: Not covered by our source. The ASPCA assesses animals only, so this page makes no claim about people. If a child eats part of any houseplant, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US).

Non-toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA. Jade plant, another common succulent, is toxic to both, so check the specific plant rather than the word “succulent”.

The burro’s tail pet-safety page, with the ASPCA listing

Keeping it alive when you share a home

In a shared household, a burro’s tail needs a house rule about handling, because the leaves are delicate and fall off whenever someone brushes past or moves the pot.

The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Do not let that carry over to the jade plant, another common succulent, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs. A long trailing stem at paw height is also an invitation to bat, and a fallen leaf on the floor is easy to miss.

If you use Family Greenhouse for this, sharing plants with a household explains who sees what and who gets reminded.

The honest bit

My take: burro’s tail looks right hung where nobody touches it, and it punishes the person who moves it every week to get a better photo.

The ASPCA lists burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Non-toxic is not the same as safe to eat in quantity, so if a pet eats a lot and seems unwell, call your vet. The pet-safety page for burro’s tail shows the listing, and the free pet-safe checker covers the rest of your plants.

Burro’s Tail FAQ

How often should I water a burro’s tail?: When the soil has dried out completely, and less in winter. North Carolina State Extension’s advice is to let the soil dry between waterings, and it gives no fixed number of days.
Why do the leaves fall off my burro’s tail?: Most often because it was touched or moved. The leaves are delicate and break off when manipulated. Wet soil and poor drainage are the other causes to rule out.
Can I grow a new burro’s tail from the leaves that fell?: Yes. North Carolina State Extension says cuttings and dropped leaves root easily, so keep them on a well-drained succulent mix.
Is a burro’s tail toxic to cats and dogs?: No. The ASPCA lists Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Non-toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA. Jade plant, another common succulent, is toxic to both, so check the specific plant rather than the word “succulent”.

Burro’s Tail care