Crassula ovata is related to the commonly known jade plant. It has a similarly thick trunk with long, tubular green leaves that look like fingers (or ogre ears!). The tips of its leaves turn red with enough sun, giving it a unique look. This plant is great for beginners, since Gollum Jade care is relatively easy.
Gollum jade is named after J.R.R. Tolkien’s character “Gollum”, from Lord of the Rings (they do not look similar at all in my opinion). Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ is a great indoor succulent to have. It also goes by the names “Gollum Jade” or “Finger Jade”.
These are tips and tricks specific to Gollum Jade care. Luckily, these plants are pretty hardy and can easily be taken care of with the following steps. For a general guide to taking care of all succulents, click here.
| Name | Crassula Ovata ‘Gollum Jade’, ‘Finger Jade’ |
| Sunlight | At least 4 hours of full sun, can tolerate partial shade |
| Water | Once a week in the summer, once every 3-4 weeks in the winter |
| Soil | Well-draining, porous soil |
| Temperature | Warm and dry. Not cold hardy |
| Dormancy | Winter dormant |
| Propagation | Cuttings work best, leaves can be used |
| Toxicity | Can be toxic to dogs and cats |
Gollum jade watering needs
Like other succulents, Gollum Jade are sensitive to overwatering. Ensure that the soil completely dries out before watering again to prevent rot. You can do this by sticking your finger in the top inch of soil: if it feels dry, you can water. Otherwise, wait a few more days. Avoid wetting their leaves while watering: this can cause rot.
During the summer, water your gollum jade about once a week. You may have to increase or decrease the frequency based on how much light your plant is receiving, the temperature, and the humidity.
During the winter, take extra care to avoid overwatering. Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ becomes dormant during this time, so it should be watered once every 3 to 4 weeks, after checking if the soil is dried out.
A fast-draining, porous soil mix should be used for optimal Gollum Jade care.
Sunlight
These plants are happiest with several hours of bright sun, but can tolerate partial shade as well. With enough light, the leaves turn bright green with red tips.
Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ should receive a few hours of bright sunlight per day for healthiest growth. This will ensure that your jade does not etiolate (stretch out). Indoors, Gollum Jade should be placed near a window receiving at least 5 to 6 hours of bright sun.
Learn more about etiolation here
Be careful not to transition your Gollum jade too quickly into bright light because it could cause sunburn on the leaves. If you notice brown, calloused spots appearing on your Gollum Jade after recently moving it, your plant is receiving too much sunlight. Move the plant to a shadier area to prevent further damage.
You can avoid sunburn by slowly transitioning your plant from a shady area to one with full sun over a week.
How to propagate gollum jade
Gollum Jade can be propagated from leaves or stem cuttings. Gollum Jade are much more easily propagated from cuttings than leaves.
Propagating from cuttings
While obtaining cuttings, use a clean pair of garden shears or sharp scissors. Choose an area that appears healthy and has plump leaves. Leave about 1.5 inches of stem remaining so that it can be planted easily. Allow the stem tip to callous for 2 to 3 days, then plant the cutting in well-draining soil. Wait a week before watering the soil to allow the jade to transition into its new environment.
Water the cutting more frequently than you would with an adult succulent (around once a week) and ensure it receives enough sun. After a few weeks, roots will form.
Propagating from leaves
If propagating leaves, cleanly twist off the entire leaf from it’s stem. Make sure the leaf is a good size, looks healthy and is not wrinkled. The leaf should be left to callous for 2 to 3 days and then placed on top of soil. Spray water over the soil with a spray bottle every few (3 to 4) days and provide partial sun (leaf props need less sun than their parent). After a few weeks, roots will begin to form.
During this time, do not disrupt the leaf or pick it up to check for roots (I am definitely guilty of this because it is so tempting to see roots growing…). A few weeks after the roots form, you may get a tiny plant forming if you are lucky. Continue to water and provide partial sun.
Growth
These succulents are fast-growing and can grow up to 3 feet (91 cm) tall and 2 feet (61 cm) wide. Make sure that it is moved to a larger container as it outgrows it’s old one.
Potting
Plant your Crassula ovata in a well-draining, porous soil mix. When moving to a new pot, choose only a marginally larger container, since excess potting soil can easily become waterlogged.
A fast-draining, porous soil mix can help prevent Gollum jade plants from rotting. I like to use a 70:30 ratio of succulent soil to perlite.
Flowering
During the late fall and early winter, Gollum jade can produce white-pink star shaped flowers.
Toxicity
This plant is toxic to dogs and cats, so ensure that it is out of their reach!
Common Gollum jade care problems:
Limp jade plant: what to do when a jade plant is drooping
This is due to improper watering, most likely overwatering. If you notice the stems of your plant are turning brown or mushy, you likely have root rot. If the damage is extensive, you may have to cut away the healthy parts of the plant and focus on growing those.
To learn more about how to fix root rot in detail, check this guide.
During the summer, you should be watering about once a week. During the winter, this should decrease to once every 3 to 4 weeks. When you water, you should be soaking the soil at the base of the plant and then allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings. Do not get water on the leaves themselves, because that could contribute to rot.
Learn more about watering succulents here.
Why is my jade plant falling apart?
This could be due to many reasons, including overwatering, underwatering or a lack of sunlight. In addition, check carefully for mealy bugs (tiny white pests) that like jade plants.
When you see mealy bugs, immediately quarantine your plant away from the others. Check all of your other plants for signs of the pest because mealy bugs spread quickly, and other plants may be infected as well. Pay special attention to the nooks and crannies of your plants- mealy bugs love those areas. Quarantine any infected plants.
For the plants with signs of infestation, take a q-tip, soak it in rubbing alcohol and dab it at any bugs you see. This will kill them instantly. Also water the soil with rubbing alcohol to kill any eggs they may have left behind. This does not harm your Gollum jade plant and helps get rid of any eggs in the soil. You will have to repeat this every other day for several days because mealy bugs are quite pesky.
Overall, with proper Gollum Jade care
This plant can be a great one to have! It’s unique leaf shape will definitely stand out in your garden. Their resilience make them especially great for beginners to try.
Learn more about general succulent care here:
How Often Should you Water Succulents and Cacti
How to Take Care of Succulents and Keep them Alive
Succulent Root Rot: What it is and How to Treat It
Succulent Etiolation: What to do if your Succulent is Growing Tall
