Light
Give it four or more hours of direct sun a day. Strong light keeps growth compact and flushes the leaf tips red. In too little light it gets leggy, with darker green leaves and drooping stems.
Water
Water deeply, let it drain, then wait until the soil is dry before you water again. From fall through winter, while it rests, water only sparingly. Too much water makes the leaves drop and the stem rot.
Soil & pots
Use cactus mix, or ordinary potting mix with extra perlite or sharp sand, in a pot with drainage holes. Repot in spring once it has outgrown its pot, and go up only a size, since extra soil stays wet.
Temperature
Normal room temperatures suit it. Clemson Extension suggests 65–75°F (18–24°C) by day and 50–55°F (10–13°C) at night. It may survive a light frost, but freezing kills it, so if it summers outdoors, bring it in before the first frost.
Is Gollum jade safe for pets?
Toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists jade plant as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, filed under Crassula argentea, an older name that Kew treats as a synonym of Crassula ovata. 'Gollum' is a form of the same species. Signs include vomiting, depression and poor coordination.
Propagation
Like any jade, it roots easily from stem or leaf cuttings. Spring and summer are the best times to take them.
- Cut a branch tip a few inches long, or snap off a whole leaf.
- Let the cut end dry for a few days until it calluses.
- Set it in barely damp gritty mix in bright, indirect light.
- Water once it resists a gentle tug. That means roots.
Common problems
FAQ
Is Gollum jade toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. It's a form of jade plant, which the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Signs include vomiting, depression and poor coordination, so keep it where pets can't chew it.
What's the difference between Gollum and Hobbit jade?
Less than the labels suggest, and the sources don't agree. The RHS treats 'Hobbit' as another name for 'Gollum'. NC State Extension lists them separately, with 'Gollum' leaves tubular and tipped like a suction cup and 'Hobbit' leaves spoon-shaped and curled inward. Care is the same either way.
Why are the tips of my Gollum jade turning red?
That's the sun. Red tips are normal and harmless, and they show the plant is getting plenty of light.
Does Gollum jade flower?
Mature plants can bear small, white or pinkish, star-shaped flowers. Like other jades, it sets buds in response to long nights, so in fall keep it cool, around 55°F (13°C) at night, water less, and keep it away from lamps.
How big does Gollum jade get?
It's slow, but the RHS gives an eventual height of about 4 ft (1.2 m), with a spread of up to about 3 ft (1 m).
Sources
- Crassula ovata 'Gollum': RHS
- Crassula ovata 'Hobbit': RHS
- Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce: Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Jade Plant (Crassula argentea): ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
- Crassula ovata: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Crassula ovata: Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
- Jade Plant, Crassula ovata: Wisconsin Horticulture, UW–Madison Extension
- Jade Plant: Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center
- How to grow houseplant cacti and succulents: RHS