How To Nurture A Crassula Ovata Gollum Jade

When I first bought this plant I had no idea what it was. It was amongst other small unlabelled succulents and cacti. It’s miniature nature was encouraging, moreover, I thought it would give me a chance to watch a young plant grow as well as it being inexpensive.

Official Genus:

Crassula portulacea gollum jade

Family: Crassulaceae

Native to South Africa and Mozambique

Why is this beautiful jade called “Gollum” named after the tragic character in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Ring series, or Shrek’s Ears? This plant is often confused or interchanged in nurseries with another Tolkein themed jade, the Crassula “Hobbit”, which has a a more scoop like shape.

It’s shape is so unique, looking like a small tree or a cactus, almost alien with the concave opening on the tip of it circled like a red sugar rimmed tube. For plant allies every plant is beautiful in its own way.

Feng Shui

Like all jade plants, in the practice of Feng Shui, the Gollum jade plant is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity, it is also known as a money plant. Consequently, this makes them popular house warming and wedding gifts.

Show me the money! Nearly two years in and I have not seen any yet. But that’s not why we buy plants. We love the joy they bring us.

How to Care for Gollum Jade

This is a slow growing plant and the thickening stem gives it a trunk like base which makes it ideal for bonsai. There is also a period where this plant goes dormant in the fall and winter. If its growing conditions are right you will be rewarded with flowers in the summer.

Light

This is a low maintenance cultivar. This is a plant which requires bright direct sun, at least 4-6 hours per day. The colour becomes lighter in bright light.

Water

Like other members of the succulent family this succulent stores water in its leaves in its natural desert setting. The soil has to have adequate drainage and be allowed to dry completely.

Over watering is a main reason for the demise of this house plant, especially during its dormant period when it only will require minimal water. Perhaps twice during the period. Invest in a moisture meter if you are not sure.

Some people like misting, however I find it brings its own issues, especially if the temperature is not constant. Equally important is not to allow water to sit on the plant and bring bugs and mould.

Temperature

USDA 9-10 It can tolerate mild frost and low temperature for a short period.

To make life simpler I allow the plant an opportunity to adjust to the conditions available.

Soil

A succulent and perlite mix is recommended in a clay pot to allow for better drainage.

Propagation

In its natural habitat the plant drops its leaves to reproduce. The tubular leaves can be detached from the stem and allowed to form a callous over a few days. They can be then be laid on the soil or the calloused end be pushed into the soil.

Stem cuttings can also be used when the end is calloused over. This is an easy plant to propagate so share the love.

Flowers

I have not seen the flowers on my own plants yet but hope that one day I will be rewarded. The flowers look like white star burst with a splash of pink.

Pet Advisory

This plant is toxic for pets so keep it out of their way.

Summary

Gollum jade is beautiful in its own way while easy to maintain. Heavy on the sunlight and light on the water. A decorative plant sure to start plant conversations; in addition, its lucky charms may bring prosperity to the household.

Keep Growing!