Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’

Crassula convolute, Crassula portulacea, Crassula argentea

Gollum Jade Plant, Spoon Jade, Shrek Plant, Horseshoe Jade, Trumpet Jade, Hobbit's Pipe Jade

Crassulaceae

South Africa

3-4'

1-3'

25 to 30°F; -3.9 to -1.1°C

High heat tolerance

Part shade inland to full sun along the coast. In hottest climates shade leaves during extended heat waves to avoid sun burning of leaves.

Drought tolerant but can take some irrigation as well.

None

Crassula ovata 'Gollum' is an excellent plant for medium-sized containers. It can also be grown as a specimen in rock, succulent or cactus gardens. A group of them grown among small boulders would attract attention. This crassula is both fire and deer resistant making it a great addition to a San Diego landscape.

This plant can be propagated from stem and leaf cuttings. It does not come true from seed.

Requires well-draining soils to avoid root and stem rot.

Crassula ovata 'Gollum' resembles a small shrubby jade plant with interesting tubular leaves that end in a suction cup-like form. It is slow growing and with age will form a thick trunk with attractive branches that have tufts of green leaves at their tips. When the weather cools, the leaves take on a reddish tint around their ends. Like other Jade plants, Crassula ovata 'Gollum' is a tough, easy-to-grow plant. In late-winter and spring, when few other plants bloom, older plants will flower and are covered by pretty but small pinkish-white star-shaped flowers (typical of Crassulaceae). Bees and other helpful insects are attracted to the flowers. Its natural growth form and small size make it an ideal succulent 'bonsai' specimen.