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Sedum morganianum is often confused with:
Crassula ovata Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Sedum Flowers
Sedum acre Sedum acre

Horse's Tail Sedum morganianum

Phonetic Spelling
SEE-dum mor-gan-ee-AY-num
Description

Sedum is a genus of succulent, herbaceous, evergreen, perennials with fleshy, flat or rounded leaves depending on the species. In general, the plant is upright and spreads along the ground. The genus has over 300 species, though many have been moved to the genus Hylotelephium. The genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit, in reference to the habit of many of the sedums species to sit and sprawl over rocks.  

Sedum morganianum, or Burro's Tail, is a succulent plant producing trailing stems up to 24 inches long with triangular-shaped fleshy blue-green leaves. It is an attractive plant in a hanging container that allows the trailing stems to be highlighted. The leaves are quite delicate, do not tolerate heavy foot traffic, and will break off if manipulated. Cuttings and dropped leaves root easily, making propagation a simple process. The plant has terminal pink or red flower clusters that appear in the summer.

Burro's Tail prefers high light interior environments such as a windowsill with at least partial sun, dry soil, fresh air, and shallow pots. Tepid water should be used to water plants and reduce watering in the winter. Allow the soil to dry out between watering and fertilize lightly once or twice during the growing season. The plant is native to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, but when grown outdoors in cooler climates, the plant will tolerate temperatures down to 40 degrees F. When grown outdoors, site for sun to part sun in well-drained soil. The plant tolerates rocky and poor soils, and establishes itself quickly. The succulent leaves make it drought and dry soil tolerant.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No serious diseases or insect problems, except for occasional slugs and snails. Avoid wet or poorly drained conditions. Pest/disease problems can occur due to overwatering.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

 

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Tags:
#deciduous#houseplant#succulent#fall interest#pet friendly#hanging baskets#blue-green leaves#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#playground plant#easy to propagate#pollinator plant#fantz#bird friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#houseplant#succulent#fall interest#pet friendly#hanging baskets#blue-green leaves#children's garden#herbaceous perennial#playground plant#easy to propagate#pollinator plant#fantz#bird friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sedum
    Species:
    morganianum
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico (Veracruz, Puebla, Chiapas)
    Distribution:
    Dominican Republic
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Textural
    Edibility:
    Stems and leaves can be eaten, but when ingested in large quantities, can cause stomach upset.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Inflorescence is a pendent cyme, terminal, on long peduncle. Flowers are deep pink, ca 12 mm dia; petals 5, free, spreading; sepals 5, green. Rarely flowers as a houseplant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Lance-shaped leaves are spirally arranged and overlapping, simple, entire, subcylindric and jelly-bean or boat shaped, succulent, incurved. Dusted with a silver bloom that rubs off on contact.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    Stems are numerous, sparsely branched, prostrate to pendulous, up to 90 cm long. Leaves surround stems forming braided "tails".
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Recreational Play Area
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil