Burro's tail succulents, also known as donkey tails, have the scientific name Sedum morganianum. The plump leaves grow on long, trailing stems, creating a stunning cascading appearance that makes this plant a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor decorations. As a beautiful succulent species, Burro's tail is low-maintenance and easy to propagate.

In this blog, I'm excited to share a friendly guide on propagating Burro's tail, in soil and through hydroponics. I'll also sprinkle in some handy tips from my own experience to help you along the way. Let's get started!

Method 1: Propagating by cuttings - the most efficient method

Burro's tail is such a charming sedum succulent, and it's super easy to propagate by cuttings/clippings! Just snip off a few clippings from the mother plant and pop them into the potting soil. Here's a complete guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Selecting the Ideal Location for Clipping.

When working with your Burro's Tail succulent, you'll find two optimal locations for taking clippings that can help you cultivate this beautiful plant. For those looking to create a lush and vibrant pot, it's recommended to snip the clippings from the bottom of the stem. This approach encourages new growth and helps the plant fill out more fully. On the other hand, if you want to maintain the health and shape of your Burro's Tail through regular pruning, feel free to cut from any point along the trailing stem. This keeps the plant's overall beauty while promoting its vitality.

Tips: Be sure that your clippings measure at least 5 cm in length; carefully remove the bottom two layers of leaves, which will benefit successful propagation.

Step 2: Allow the cuttings to callus for 24 to 48 hours.

After taking your cuttings, carefully lay them on a clean, dry plate. This resting period is crucial, as it allows the exposed ends to dry and form a protective callus, which helps safeguard the cut surfaces from potential diseases and infections while the cuttings are preparing to root in the potting soil.

Tips: If you wish to accelerate the healing process, consider dusting the cut ends with cinnamon powder. Cinnamon not only acts as a natural antifungal agent but also promotes healing. Alternatively, you can apply rooting hormone to the cuts, which encourages root development and supports successful propagation.

Step 3: Prepare Rooting Soil and Container

A standard 4-inch plant pot with drainage holes is an ideal choice for planting your clippings. It can accommodate more than four clippings, allowing them to grow together beautifully as a pot of elegant Burro's tail trailing succulent.

The term "rooting soil" refers to a well-drained soil mixture that is essential for successful succulent gardening. It is practical to combine regular garden soil with perlite and gritty rocks for propagation. To encourage the cuttings to develop roots more quickly, consider using a mix of coconut coir and perlite in a 1:1 ratio.

Tips: Before using the soil for your plant clippings, mist a little water to make it slightly moist.

Step 4: Plant Clippings into the Rooting Soil

When inserting the clippings into the soil, ensure that the rooting soil is slightly moist. After all the clippings have been planted, do not water them for the first week. You don't need to worry about the plants drying out or dying due to underwatering. Since they are succulents, their plump stems and leaves contain enough water to sustain themselves. Remember, the rooting soil we've prepared is already moist, so it will support the clippings until they establish their own roots.

Step 5: Basic Maintenance

After a week, use a long-neck can to water the potting mix once a week, starting after the first week. Ensure that the potting soil is completely dry between waterings. You can test the soil's moisture using a chopstick or your finger. For an accurate measurement, consider using a moisture meter.

During the first month, avoid direct sunlight and instead provide bright, indirect light. Once the roots sprout, you can gradually introduce more direct sunlight.

Method 2: Propagating by Leaves - The slowest but most enjoyable method

One of the reasons I find it so enjoyable to observe the Burro's tail plant is because its leaves are small and delicate, resembling tiny green beans. Watching these little leaves unfurl and stretch towards the sunlight is truly captivating. It's a delightful process!

Step 1. Get Plump and Healthy "Beans" from the mother plant.

Begin by selecting vibrant and well-formed leaves from the mother plant. It is crucial to choose intact and plump leaves, as damaged leaves are unlikely to develop strong roots or produce new offspring.

Tips: Use your thumb and index finger to gently pull the leaves off the stem in one direction while slightly rotating them. This tips will help minimize damage to the leaves.

Step 2. Wait for 24 hours to let the wound heal.

Let the leaves sit undisturbed for 24 hours on a clean plate, then locate the plate in an excellent, dry location, away from direct sunlight. Throw away the destroyed or dead leaves.

Step 3. Prepare a Shallow container and the rooting soil.

Unlike regular cuttings propagation, rooting Burro's tail leaves requires a shallow container. The soil mixture can be the same as what you would use for the cuttings.

Step 4. Place the leaves on the rooting soil surface.

You can use a pair of tweezers to position each leaf precisely, ensuring they rest lightly on the soil, or alternatively, you can gently sprinkle them across the surface. Take care to distribute them evenly to encourage uniform rooting.

Step 5. Essential Maintenance for Healthy Growth

During the first two weeks, it's essential to keep the soil moist. Use a spray bottle to mist the soil surface every two or three days, providing just enough moisture without oversaturating. To promote healthy growth, place the tray of leaves where they can receive bright, filtered sunlight—ideally near a window that provides gentle light without harsh direct sun.

As you observe that the roots begin to sprout, it will be time to repot the leaves into a slightly larger container with drainage holes. After repotting, water the succulent plants once or twice a week.

Method 3: Propagating in water - An Interesting Method

To propagate Burro's tail in water, you can follow the first two steps of the cutting propagation method. The main difference is that you can keep some of the bottom leaves on the cutting. Next, select a clean glass bottle or a decorative glass container with a narrow opening—this will not only hold the cutting but also showcase its growth. Gently fill the bottle with fresh, clean water, ensuring that the base of the cutting is submerged but only about one-third of the stem.

Once you've set up your cutting, change the water weekly to keep it fresh and oxygenated. If you notice the water level dropping, fill it with some water. When the roots have been established, you can either continue growing the Burro's tail in water or replant it in a succulent potting mix.

Conclusion

You can propagate leaves and cuttings simultaneously in the same pot since they share the same growth substrate. By sprinkling the leaves among the cuttings, you can encourage the growth of new plants, resulting in a whole pot of Burro's tail.

Propagating Burro's tail is an enjoyable and straightforward process. For the best results, I suggest undertaking this propagation during the vibrant seasons of spring or the mild days of early autumn. During these times, the conditions are perfect for Burro's tail to sprout new roots and enter a phase of healthy maturation. The warmer temperatures and increased sunlight help ensure a higher success rate for your efforts. Moreover, these seasons provide a more forgiving environment for novice gardeners, making it easier to nurture your new plants as they establish themselves. With a bit of patience and care, you'll soon see new growth from your Burro's tail cuttings!