Burro's tail
Also called Donkey's tail, Lamb's tail.
| Light | full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 16 days in the growing season, every 40 in winter |
| Humidity | low |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Height | Up to 15 cm (6 in) tall |
| Pets | Cats safe, dogs safe |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Burro's Tail entry.
Thick blue green leaves overlapping along stems that hang a metre or more, so that a mature plant looks like a bundle of plaited rope. It is easy in every respect but one: the leaves fall off if you so much as brush against it, and a plant carried across a room arrives noticeably thinner. Hang it somewhere nobody passes, water it as a succulent by soaking and then leaving it dry for weeks, and give it the brightest place you have. Every leaf that does drop will root if laid on gritty compost and left alone, which is how most people end up with a second one. It is also safe for cats and dogs.
Ailments observed
| Wrinkled or shrivelled leaves | Genuinely dry, which takes a long time on this plant. Soak it thoroughly and let it drain. The leaves plump up over a couple of days. |
|---|---|
| Leaves falling off | Being touched, which is the whole difficulty with this plant. Hang it where nothing brushes past. Every fallen leaf will root if laid on gritty compost, so keep them. |
Filed underPlants that will not poison the cat, Succulents and cacti, Plants for infrequent watering, Plants for a balcony or a small space
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