The Burro’s Tail, or Sedum morganianum, is a popular succulent admired for its distinctive, trailing stems adorned with plump, blue-green leaves. This unique plant does bloom, though it requires specific conditions, especially when grown indoors. Its cascading form makes it a favored choice for hanging baskets.
The Burro’s Tail Bloom Unveiled
The flowers of a Burro’s Tail are small, star-shaped, and typically appear in shades of pink to red, sometimes with a reddish-purple hue. They often feature bright yellow stamens, creating a subtle yet charming contrast. These blossoms emerge in clusters of one to six at the tips of the longest, most mature stems, generally during the late spring or summer. While indoor blooming can be rare, outdoor cultivation more frequently encourages these clusters.
Cultivating Blooms: Essential Care Factors
Encouraging a Burro’s Tail to bloom involves providing specific environmental conditions and consistent care that mimic its native habitat. Meeting these requirements helps signal the plant to initiate flower production.
Light
Ample bright light is necessary for Burro’s Tail to produce flowers. The plant thrives with at least six hours of bright light daily, ideally in a location receiving full sun. Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and prevent flowering. If grown indoors, a south or west-facing window is often suitable, providing the intense light levels needed for bloom development.
Watering
A precise watering schedule is important for encouraging blooms, with emphasis on allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings. During the active growing season in spring and summer, watering every two to three weeks is appropriate. In fall and winter, as the plant enters dormancy, watering frequency should be significantly reduced, perhaps to once a month or less. Overwatering can lead to root rot and inhibit flowering.
Temperature and Dormancy
Temperature fluctuations and a cool, dry winter dormancy are important for initiating flower buds. During the spring and summer growing period, temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C) are ideal. For winter dormancy, a cooler period with temperatures around 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C) can stimulate flowering. The plant is not cold-tolerant and must be protected from frost.
Nutrient Needs
Burro’s Tail plants do not require heavy fertilization, but a light application during the growing season can support blooming. A balanced succulent fertilizer, or one with a slightly lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus ratio, is suitable. Fertilize once or twice during spring and summer, diluting the fertilizer to half or quarter strength. Avoid fertilizing during the dormant fall and winter months, as this can lead to nutrient buildup and harm the plant.
Why Your Burro’s Tail Might Not Be Blooming
If a Burro’s Tail is not blooming, several factors related to its care and maturity could be responsible. A common reason is insufficient light; plants require ample bright light, preferably six hours or more daily, to produce flowers. Without adequate light, the plant may prioritize vegetative growth over flowering. Another frequent cause is the lack of a proper winter dormancy period, which is crucial for bloom preparation.
Overwatering, or inconsistent watering, can also hinder flower production by stressing the plant and potentially leading to root issues. Additionally, young or immature plants may not yet have the energy reserves to bloom; Burro’s Tail typically needs mature stems, at least 10 inches long, before it will flower. If the plant is receiving excessive nitrogen fertilizer, it might focus energy on leafy growth rather than developing blooms.
After the Bloom: Continued Care
Once a Burro’s Tail has finished blooming, continued care helps maintain plant health and prepares it for future flowering cycles. While deadheading spent flowers is not strictly necessary, it can be done gently to tidy the plant’s appearance. Its leaves are delicate and can easily detach, so handle with care.
Following the blooming period, typically in late summer or early fall, gradually reduce watering frequency as the plant transitions towards its dormant phase. Fertilization should cease during this time to allow the plant to rest. Consistent care, including a cool, dry winter period, supports the plant’s vigor and future blooms.