Top 10 Hanging Plants for a Dreamy Outdoor Nook

9. Burro’s Tail Sedum (Sedum morganianum) – The Textured Succulent

If you’re looking to add some serious texture and a touch of the unexpected to your outdoor nook, then Burro’s Tail Sedum is your guy. It’s a succulent, which already makes it pretty cool in my book, but its growth habit is what makes it truly special. It’s one of those unique foliage plants that people will definitely ask you about.

Like Braids of Plump Little Leaves!

The appearance of a Burro’s Tail is just fascinating. It has these fleshy, trailing stems that are just densely packed with plump, tear-drop shaped succulent leaves. They look like thick, green braids or, well, a donkey’s tail! The leaves overlap each other so perfectly, creating this amazing woven texture.

I remember seeing a really mature one in a hanging basket once, and its “tails” were literally three feet long! It was incredible. The color is usually a lovely pale green, sometimes with a bit of a powdery, bluish coating that adds to its charm. It’s definitely not your average-looking hanging plant!

Sunshine and Sipping: What It Likes

Being a succulent, Burro’s Tail has some specific preferences when it comes to light and water. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight or partial sun. It can handle some direct morning sun, but intense, scorching afternoon sun might be a bit too much and could cause the leaves to scorch or look a bit washed out. Imagine a spot that’s bright but not baking – that’s its happy zone.

And here’s the great news, especially if you live in a sunny, drier climate or if you’re a sometimes-forgetful waterer: it’s very drought-tolerant once established! These guys are built to store water in those plump little leaves, so they don’t need constant watering.¹ In fact, overwatering is its worst enemy.

Handle With Care, and Don’t Drown It!

Okay, so here are the two most important care tips for your Burro’s Tail Sedum. First, handle it with extreme care! Those cute little leaves? They can detach very easily. Like, if you just look at it too hard sometimes. Okay, maybe not that bad, but a bump or a brush against it, and you might find a few leaves on the ground. Don’t panic if this happens! The good news is that each of those fallen leaves can actually be propagated to grow a whole new plant! So, every “oops” moment can be a “yay, more plants!” moment.

The second big tip, as I mentioned, is to allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Seriously, let it get nice and dry. Then, when you do water, give it a good soak until water drains out the bottom, and then leave it alone again until it’s dry. This is especially important for succulents in hanging containers. I learned this the hard way with many succulents in my early gardening days – I treated them like my leafy tropicals, and it was a recipe for mushy sadness. Less is often more with these guys! This makes them super low-maintenance outdoor plants.

The Dreamy Factor: Modern, Quirky, and Fascinating Texture

So, what’s the “dreamy factor” of a Burro’s Tail? It offers such a fascinating texture and a modern, slightly quirky aesthetic. It’s not frilly or flowery; it’s bold and structural in its own unique way. This makes it perfect for a design-forward, low-maintenance nook where you want something that’s a bit different and really stands out.

It looks amazing in simple, modern planters that let its unique form take center stage. Imagine it trailing over the edge of a sleek pot, its braided stems creating living art. It adds an element of surprise and personality to your outdoor space, perfect for anyone who appreciates plants that are as interesting as they are beautiful.

Burro’s Tail is such a cool and unusual plant, isn’t it? Definitely a conversation starter! Now, if you’re looking for something with a completely different kind of trailing magic, something that shimmers and shines, our final plant on the list is a real showstopper. Click the “Next” button below to discover Plant #10: Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’!