Sedum burrito also called Baby Burro’s Tail, is a trailing succulent that has plump, round green leaves that grow along trailing stems. As the stems mature, they will spill over the edge of their pot making it a great succulent for hanging baskets or on shelves.

Like other succulents, they store water that helps it make it through dry periods. One thing you’ll notice about Sedum burrito is that its leaves can detach when the stems are bumped or handled. Don’t toss them! Those leaves can grow roots and eventually become entirely new plants.

What Makes It Special?

We love how the plant changes as it matures. Young plants stay compact then slowly develop longer stems covered in leaves creating that tail look. Its leaves may show pinkish purple tones when it has stronger light and cooler conditions.

Key Facts

Scientific name: Sedum burrito 
Common name: Baby Burro’s Tail
Family: Crassulaceae
Native range: Veracruz, Mexico
Growth form: Evergreen trailing succulent subshrub
Common use: Hanging baskets, containers, shelves, and trailing displays

How to Care for Sedum burrito

Light

Give your Baby Burro’s Tail plenty of light. We recommend bright, filtered light but it can also grow in full sun when its acclimated slowly. Giving it stronger sunlight without acclimating it can cause sunburn on the leaves.

Inside place it close to a bright window where it gets plenty of light throughout the day. If it doesn’t receive enough light, the spaces between the leaves might start to grow longer and the stems will be less compact.

Water

It stores a lot of water in its leaves so be sure its ready for water before watering again.

Use our favorite method: Dry → Drench → Dry → Repeat.

Let the soil to dry all the way through, then water deep so  that water runs from the drainage holes. After that, let the soil dry again. Try not to give it  little sips. A deep watering followed by a dry period encourages a healthier root system.

During cooler weather or lower light the soil may stay wet much longer, so watering will naturally become less frequent. Be sure to check that the leaves are using up their stored water by getting softer or wrinkling before watering.

Soil

It needs really good drainage. We recommend a well-drained mix and adding perlite or pumice to your mix.

Your exact soil recipe depends on your environment. If you grow indoors, have lower airflow or notice that your soil stays damp for a long time, add more grit to your soil. 

At Succly, we generally want succulent soil to dry within 3-5 daysnrather than remaining wet for a week or longer. Always use a pot with a drainage hole so the extra water has somewhere to go.

Temperature

It likes warm growing conditions but it can tolerate cooler temperatures better than you might expect.

Sedum burrito has an H2 hardiness rating, meaning it can tolerate lower temperatures but should not be allowed to freeze.  We recommend keeping it around 60–80°F for active growth and protecting it as temperatures below 40°F. Cold and wet soil is something you especially want to avoid.

Fertilizer

It does not need heavy fertilizer. During active growth, give it 1/4- 1/2 strength liquid fertilizer.

Use a fertilizer suitable for succulents. Too much fertilizer can encourage soft elongated growth.

When growth slows during cooler weather stop feeding it until Spring and Summer growth.

Blooming

Baby Burro’s Tail can bloom!

It grows small, star-shaped pink flowers at the tips of their stems, mostly during summer. 

Don’t worry if yours hasn’t flowered. Inside plants may not bloom every year.

Pet Safe?

Sedum burrito is generally treated horticulturally as a pet-friendly succulent howveer the ASPCA specifically lists its very close relative, Sedum morganianum (Burro’s Tail), as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. However, the ASPCA entry is for S. morganianum, not specifically S. burrito. As with any houseplant, eating plants can potentially cause stomach upset.

We recommend keeping plants out of reach of pets, even when they are considered pet-friendly.

Humidity

Baby Burro’s Tail does not need high humidity. Its leaves are designed to store water, so normal household humidity is generally fine.

Make sure to give it good airflow and make sure the soil does not stay wet for long periods. If your home is humid, pay close attention to how quickly the soil dries before watering again.

Propagation

This is one of the easiest plants to propagate. Gently remove a leaf so the whole leaf comes off cleanly. Place it on top of dry, well-draining succulent soil and let it callus.

Be patient. The original leaf acts as a little reservoir of stored water and nutrients while the new plant develops. After roots form it can take up its own water. 

Troubleshooting Sedum burrito

My Plant Is Dropping Leaves

Sedum burrito has relatively fragile leaves that can fall off from bumps or touching. This is a well-documented characteristic of the plant and doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong.

If healthy leaves fall while you are moving or repotting the plant, be sure to save them and propagate them!

If leaves are dropping without the plant being bumped or moved, look at your watering, soil, and growing conditions.

Leaves Are Mushy or Translucent

Mushy or translucent leaves can be a sign that the plant has been receiving too much water.

Check the soil rather than watering again. If it stays wet for a long time, add some more grit, more airflow or change your soil mix. Always let the soil dry between waterings.

Leaves Are Wrinkling

Some wrinkling can mean that the plant is starting to use its water stored in its leaves.

Before watering, check the soil. If the soil is dry and the leaves are starting to lose their usual plump look, it may be ready for a deep watering

Long, Sparse Growth

Baby Burro’s Tail should have dense leaves along its stems. If new growth is coming in stretched or space between the leaves, light may be contributing.

Move it to a brighter spot rather than suddenly putting it in direct sun.

The Leaves Are Changing Color

The normally green leaves can get pinkish or purplish color in stronger light.

Healthy color is different from bleached, damaged or scarred tissue caused by too much direct sun without acclimation.

Pests

It can be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insect  and vine weevil.

Because its leaves grow so packed be sure to check between leaves and around the stems periodically. Catching pests early makes them much easier to manage.

Why We Picked This Plant

We picked Baby Burro’s Tail because it’s one of those succulents that becomes more fun the longer it grows.

We also love how easy it is to propagate! One plant can turn into hundreds! 

It’s a great example of what makes succulents so fun to grow: they change, trail, propagate and become more beautiful with time.

Your Baby Burro’s Tail Has Arrived!

If this Baby Burro’s Tail showed up in your Succly box, congratulations, you’ve got a fun, beautiful trailing succulent to add to your collection!

Snap a pic, tag @Succly and show us where your Baby Burro’s Tail lives. Bonus points if it’s in bloom or if its been propagated🌼

Keep Learning About Succulent Care

New to succulents or want to learn even more? These guides will help you grow healthier, happier plants.

Watering Succulents
Learn why overwatering isn’t about how often you water, but how long the soil stays wet.
→ Read our Watering Guide

Find the Right Succulent Soil
There isn’t one “perfect” succulent soil. Discover how to choose or mix the best soil for your growing environment.
→ Read our Succulent Soil Guide

Succulent Care 101
Everything you need to know about light, watering, repotting, dormancy, and keeping your succulents thriving.
→ Read Succulent Care 101