How to Grow Donkey Tail Succulents

Potting and Location

• Handle donkey tail succulents with care, as the leaves fall off easily. Plant donkey's tail succulents in terra cotta or plastic pots using soil intended for cacti and succulents. A soil pH rating of 5 to 6 is appropriate for donkey's tail succulents. Specialized soil for succulents drains quickly and keeps donkey's tail plants from rotting due to excess moisture. Avoid packing the potting soil too tightly around the roots of your donkey's tail plant. Use a plant hanger or situate your donkey's tail succulent atop a wall or post where it can trail down over the rim of the pot. The donkey's tail plant has a thick growth habit with the branches cascading outward and over one another from the center of the plant.

Propagation

• Sedum species, including the donkey's tail, are easily grown by taking cuttings or rooting the leaves of your plant in moist potting soil. Donkey's tail succulents easily drop leaves, but these can be used for propagating new plants. Gather up the leaves and return them to the donkey's tail pot or root the leaves in separate containers. Plant newly rooted donkey's tail succulents in small pots and care for them in the same way as your original plant.

Water and Fertilizer

• Succulents require little care and can easily be "killed with kindness." Water your donkey's tail plant after transplanting and every week to 10 days thereafter. Donkey's tails exposed to rainfall may not need watering; check the soil for dampness before watering. Allow donkey's tail succulents to dry between watering. Fertilize with an NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer prepared at one quarter the recommended strength when watering your donkey's tail plants. Use fertilizer from spring to fall only. Donkey's tail succulents do well within a soil pH range of 5 to 6. Watering leaches chemicals from the soil. Check the pH using a pH testing device or sticks and refresh the potting soil if needed.

Keeping Your Plant Healthy

• Transplant your donkey's tail succulent and handle it only when necessary for preventing leaf loss. Turn an indoor donkey's tail plant container by one-quarter turn each time you water it; this ensures even sun exposure and strong growth from every angle. Empty standing water from pot saucers. Inspect your donkey's tail plant when watering it for mealy bugs; if you observe small whitish insects on the plant, treat it with a houseplant insecticide prepared and applied according to package directions.