The Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) is a popular succulent recognized for its distinctive, plump, blue-green leaves that form heavy, cascading stems. Its long, trailing habit requires careful consideration of its container. Selecting the appropriate pot directly influences the plant’s health and ability to thrive. Proper pot selection is essential for managing soil moisture, preventing root rot, and providing physical support for the delicate, trailing growth.
Prioritizing Drainage and Airflow
The presence of at least one functional drainage hole at the base is the most important feature of any container for a succulent. This allows excess water to escape immediately after watering, preventing the soil from remaining saturated. Succulent roots are highly susceptible to rot when they sit in standing moisture.
Airflow through the soil is equally important for maintaining a healthy root zone. Roots require oxygen for respiration; without it, they suffocate and decay, a condition accelerated by stagnant water. Drainage layers, such as placing pebbles or broken pottery shards at the bottom of the pot, are counterproductive.
A layer of coarse material at the pot’s base can create a “perched water table,” causing water to accumulate just above the layer until the soil is saturated. This keeps the root zone wetter for longer. To ensure rapid drainage and aeration, the entire pot should be filled with a well-draining succulent soil mix, allowing water to pull completely out through the drainage hole.
Choosing the Right Pot Material
The material of the pot impacts how quickly moisture evaporates from the soil, which is a significant factor in succulent health. Unglazed terra cotta pots are the best choice for Sedum morganianum due to their high porosity. The porous clay walls actively wick moisture away from the soil, allowing the potting medium to dry out faster and reducing the risk of overwatering.
Glazed ceramic containers are decorative but do not offer moisture-wicking benefits. The glaze seals the clay, making the pot non-porous and causing it to retain water like plastic. If a glazed pot is chosen, the grower must be meticulous with watering, allowing extra time for the soil to dry completely.
Plastic pots are lightweight and affordable, but they are entirely non-porous and prevent moisture evaporation through the sides. This requires a cautious approach to watering, as the soil remains damp for the longest time. If using plastic, the soil mix must be especially gritty and chunky to compensate for the pot’s inability to breathe.
Determining the Ideal Pot Size and Depth
Burro’s Tail plants possess a shallow, fibrous root system that does not extend deeply into the soil. They perform best when slightly root-bound, which helps regulate soil moisture by limiting the volume of surrounding potting mix. Selecting a pot that is too large can lead to health issues.
An overly large container holds a disproportionate volume of soil relative to the plant’s root mass. This excess soil retains moisture the plant cannot efficiently use, keeping the soil wet for too long and increasing the probability of fungal growth. When repotting, move up by only one pot size, increasing the diameter by just one to two inches.
For example, a plant currently in a four-inch pot should move into a six-inch pot at most. The depth of the container is also important. A Burro’s Tail is best suited to a pot with a diameter roughly equal to its depth, supporting the shallow root structure and ensuring the soil mass dries out evenly and quickly.
Accommodating the Trailing Habit
A mature Sedum morganianum can produce stems that trail several feet in length, so the container must support this growth. The long, heavy stems of an established plant can make the container top-heavy, requiring a pot with sufficient mass and stability to prevent accidental tipping. A heavier material, such as terra cotta or thick ceramic, provides the necessary ballast, even for plants in hanging baskets.
Hanging planters or elevated shelves are the best display options to allow the stems to cascade freely. The plant’s leaves are delicate and detach easily, so placing the pot high up protects the stems from accidental contact. The mouth of the pot should be wide enough to accommodate the full spread of the stems, allowing the trailing growth to drape naturally over the rim.
A wide opening also simplifies watering. Since the density of the stems often obscures the soil surface, a broad mouth allows easier access to saturate the soil directly. This minimizes the chance of water collecting on the leaves and ensures the root system receives proper care.