Crassula Ovata ‘Gollum’: How to Grow & Care

Crassula Ovata ‘Gollum’: How to Grow & Care

Crassula Ovata Gollum, popularly known as Gollum jade, is a winter houseplant. This big, round succulent loves the springs, though, which is the right time to take this jade succulent outdoors. It is closely related to the hobbit jade plant, and both the succulents get their names from the writings of JRR Tolkien. Both the succulent jade plants are so similar to one another that it is easy to get confused between the two. In this blog, learn in detail about this ornamental crassula variety.

Crassula Ovata Gollum succulent plant

About Gollum Jade

This succulent belongs to the jade plant family. Inspired by movies like Shrek and The Lord of the Rings, the Gollum jade plant has been fondly nicknamed from these movies, often referred to after Gollum 535. The plant has characteristic tubular green leaves, elongated with red tinges towards the tips that curl inwards. The puckered ends are akin to suction cups. The crassula ovata Gollum flowers are white or pink-colored star-shaped, making them look unique yet attractive. Sometimes, you may wonder the reason behind a red jade plant. It means that the crassula hobbit jade plant is getting way too much sunlight than required.

The jade succulent is so popular amongst nature lovers that you will find framed Sylvie succulent pictures put up in their living rooms. Search online with the words ‘jade plant near me’ to find good-quality ones.

Types of Jade Succulents

Popular as a houseplant, the Crassula Ovata or the money plant has different varieties. The different jade plant types are:

  • Crassula Arborescens is a jade succulent type known as silver dollar jade or Blue Buddha Bush.
  • Crassula Arborescens Blue Bird Variegata is a jade plant species called Blue Bird Money. It is a crassula variegated jade type.
  • The Hottentotta dwarf variety is a rare type of jade plant.
  • The Crassula cv Gollum is a compact shrubby succulent.
  • Crassula Arborescens Undulatifolia or the Ripple Jade Plant with a bonsai-like feel.
  • Crassula Argentea Gollum or Lady Fingers or Gollum's fingers
  • Argentea Crassula gollum variegated
  • Crassula Ovata or the Lucky Jade
  • Crassula Ovata Botany Bay is a recent discovery
  • Crassula Ovata Harbour Lights
  • Crassula Ovata Hobbit or crassula jade hobbit or the Bonsai Jade Tree
  • The Royal Horticultural Society awarded crassula Ovata Hummel's or the sunset jade succulent the Garden Merit Award in 1993.
  • Crassula Ovata Little Jade Tree is the small jade tree
  • Crassula Ovata Mini Jade or ​​Miniature Jade or Gollum miniature
  • Crassula Ovata Pink
  • Crassula portulaca Afra or the Chinese Jade Plant
  • Portulacaria Afra Aurea or the Yellow Rainbow Bush
  • Portulacaria Afra Cascade or Low Elephant Bush
  • Jade horn tree with horn-like leaves.
  • The Sunset jade plant is ideal for beginners.

Crassula jade plant types

General Summary of Crassula Jade Plant

  • Light Needs: The crassula jade plant loves bright natural light. But ensure it is not directly falling on the plant. Prefer to keep the plant under partial shade as the full shade can make the tubular succulent less vibrant.
  • Watering needs: This jade tree succulent appreciates water. Ensure that you water the plant well, but the topsoil must be dry between two watering sessions. Avoid overwatering.
  • Humidity and Temperature: Succulent crassula ovata enjoys normal humidity. It is not required to mist them too often if they do not complain about higher humidity levels. The jade plant requires a normal temperature range to survive and grow. Average temperatures should be around 15°C to 24°C. Ensure that the temperature does not go below 10°C.
  • Fertilization: Not very demanding, the jade houseplant can thrive better with a spray of liquid fertilizers once or twice a month.
  • Growth rate: The Gollum plant has a slow growth rate. The maximum height that the Gollum succulent reaches is between 50 cm and 80 cm. However, at times, expect a huge jade plant, above the height of 1.2 meters, provided it gets all the right conditions.
  • Is a mature jade plant poisonous?: To a certain extent, yes. Therefore, it is ideal for keeping the tube succulent away from pets and animals.
  • Native: The jade cactus plant is a native of South Africa and Mozambique.
  • Gollum succulent care tips:
- Avoid overwatering the plant. Wait for the topsoil to dry completely.
- Avoid underwatering to prevent Gollum jade plant wrinkled leaves.
- People living in frost-free areas can place the crassula argentea cv Gollum and other varieties outdoors, even during winters.
- It cannot tolerate cold temperatures as it is not winter-hardy. If living in a cold region, plant them in containers and move indoors during winters.
- Crassula ovata horn tree and its cousins love the sun. Ensure at least four hours of exposure each day.
- If you see jade aerial roots, understand that the plant needs more water.

    Green-colored Crassula jade plant easy care guide

    FAQs

    1. Is jade a succulent plant?

    Yes, jade plants are succulents. They store water in their leaves, fulfilling the hydration needs of the plant. The Gollum jade succulent hates sitting in water like other succulents.

    2. What are the crassula ovata’s medicinal uses?

    The succulent crassula Gollum has medicinal benefits too. Extracts from tube leaf succulents are applied on wounds, warts, and other skin diseases. The extract also helps treat stomach-related issues. In Chinese traditional medicine, a jade plant is considered best for diabetes.

    3. What is the history of the jade plant?

    The crassula argentea or the Gollum cactus plant has its origin in South Africa but has been mostly nursery-produced or cultivated as a hybrid houseplant in European countries and the US. Since it is tough and can survive challenging conditions, the jade plant crassula argentea has been reared in other parts of the world for over a century now.

    4. Name rare jade plants

    There are about 1,400 types of crassula ovata succulents. Some of the varieties are pretty rare. The Ripple Jade, for example, is a Gollum jade bonsai and one of the rare ones. Similarly, the Hoteentotta is an unusual plant. It is plump and dwarfish with fuzzy leaves.

    5. Hobbit jade vs. Gollum jade

    There are many similarities between crassula ovata Gollum & hobbit. But, there are differences too. Let's compare crassula ovata hobbit vs. Gollum:

    Difference

    Crassula ovata hobbit gollum

    Crassula gollum plant

    Leaf

    Hobbit has fleshy leaves curving downwards and backward. It is a red-tipped jade where the tips of leaves are red.

    Crassula is a tube-like succulent, especially the leaves.

    The shape of the leaf

    Oval-shaped leaf

    This is a many fingers plant with finger-like leaves.

    Blooming season

    These succulents flower during the fall and winter seasons.

    Crassula ovata Gollum flowers are borne during the summer season.

    6. Name a succulent that looks like a jade plant.

    Portulaacaria afra is an African succulent species that looks like the original jade but is a dwarf in every way. Therefore, it is known as dwarf jade or baby jade.

    7. What does a baby jade plant look like?

    The baby jade plant has tiny leaves that are a replica of the original jade. The growth of the baby jade plant is compact.

    8. Tell us about the jade plant vs. jade tree.

    The Crassula Gollum jade plant looks like a miniature crassula jade tree. The stems, for example, are woody and thick, giving it the appearance of a tree.

    Green-colored Crassula Gollum jade succulent plant

    FAQs Regarding Gollum Jade Plant Care - things to keep in mind

    Whether you are looking for variegated jade or hanging jade plant care, follow these tips:

    1. What is the reason for Gollum's jade wrinkled?

    Crassula ovata Gollum shriveled means that the plant is underwatered. It is the hobbit succulent's way of fighting drought stress.

    • Jade plant light requirements: One aspect of crassula ovata plant care is that it loves bright light. The light highlights the foliage color with the characteristic reddish edges on leaves.
    • Gollum jade watering: This plant should not be watered more than it needs. Only when the topsoil is completely dry should you water the plant.
    • Money tree cactus soil: It needs fast-draining soil. The ideal mix contains garden soil with perlite or pumice and sand.
    • Jade plant hardiness: The hardiness zone of hobbit fingers succulent is 10 and 11.
    • Hobbit succulent propagation: The best method of Gollum succulent propagation is via stem and leaf cuttings. Propagation can be done from crassula umbrella seeds too.

    2. How to transplant jade cuttings?

    Take a stem or leaf cutting. Let it dry. Once dried, place it into a well-drained soil mix containing perlite (50%) and soil (50%). Water it sparingly for the soil mix to get damp. This is how you can transplant jade plant cuttings.

    3. How much light does a jade plant need indoors?

    Place the jade plant near the entrance. Keep it towards the southeast direction. One essential aspect of crassula ovata Gollum care indoors is receiving sunlight for at least six hours. Make sure that the place your plant is kept receives direct sunlight if it is a mature jade and indirect sunlight when jade plants are small.

    4. Ideal Lighting for the spoon jade plant

    Place the succulent in direct sunlight to get the reddish tinge to its leaves.

    Easy to care Gollum jade succulent plants

    Not only Gollum jade plants are appreciated for their beauty, but they are also meant to bring good luck. That is the reason why many people buy them to keep in their homes and workplaces. In addition, they are extremely easy to care for and grow problem-free indoors. Get yours and experience planting this bright & beautiful crassula species.