Sedum morganianum, the most mysterious of succulents

Discovered in 1935 in a nursery in Veracruz, Sedum morganianum kept its origins a secret for 70 years. It wasn't until 2008 and several expeditions that a team of researchers came across the plant in the wild, clinging to the cliffs of a farm in the east of the country. Today, we can say with certainty that Sedum morganianum, or Morgan's thorn, is a plant of the Crassulaceae family native to Mexico.

How to recognize Sedum morganianum?

Sedum morganianum is a succulent perennial with a drooping, bushy habit. Its vines reach 90 centimetres in length.

The stems are entirely covered by evergreen foliage. The fleshy leaves grow in rosettes and are intertwined. They are shaped like a grain of rice and are only slightly larger. They are two centimetres long and one centimetre thick. Blue-green, they are coated with bloom.

In the wild, Morgan's thorn flowers in late spring or summer. Bunches of pink or red flowers appear at the tips of the vines.

Don't know whether you're looking at a Sedum morganianum or a Sedum burrito? No problem! The two species are so closely related that some botanists consider Sedum burrito to be a hybrid variety of Sedum morganianum. The main difference is their size: morganianum is larger. You can also examine the leaf blades: if they have a pointed apex, it's a Sedum morganianum; if the tip is rounded, it's a Sedum burrito.

But whatever the species, Sedum is not toxic. You can add it to your collection without fear, even if you live with young children or pets.

Our maintenance tips

The best way to care for your Morgan's thorn is to do little or nothing. The plant needs only occasional watering and plenty of light. It needs no fertilizer, and even less misting.

Watering

Sedum morganianum come from arid regions. They can withstand drought, but that's no reason to neglect their water supply! If your succulent's leaves point downwards, it's thirsty.

Make sure the substrate is dry before watering. That way, you'll avoid overwatering. Once you've got your watering can, be generous. The plant prefers to be watered less frequently but abundantly than to receive frequent small quantities of water.

Half an hour after watering, remove any stagnant water from the dish. It will rot the roots.

Spray

Sedum morganianum grow in arid regions and do not like humidity. No need to spray them.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Sedum morganianum to give it more space.

Pour a draining substrate into a perforated pot. You can use potting soil for cacti and succulents. You can also make your own growing medium by mixing equal parts potting soil for green plants and sand.

Plant your Morgan's thorn and fill in with substrate. Pack gently to avoid smothering the roots.

Cutting

You can take cuttings all year round.

Locate a healthy stem. Take a section at least five centimetres long.

Remove the leaves from the lower half and leave to dry for 24 to 48 hours in the open air. When a healing wedge appears, your cutting is ready.

Transplant your cutting into a draining substrate, such as potting soil for cacti and succulents, or a mixture of houseplant potting soil and sand. Press in the leafless part, taking care not to bury the limbs.

If your mother plant is balding, plant your graft in the same pot to rejuvenate the plant.

Disease / Threat

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Crassulaceae - Crassulaceae
Type	Orpin - Sedum
Species	Morgan's thorn - Sedum morganianum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Clay soil Calcareous earth Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Succulent Hanging plants
Tags	Beginner Fritillary Small pot
Origin	Central America
Hardiness (USDA)	11a
Leaf color
Flower colors