What is a Gollum Jade?
Gollum Jade (Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’) is a cultivar of the familiar jade plant, distinguished by its peculiar tubular leaves — each one forms a hollow cylinder that flares open at the tip into a small, suction-cup-like depression, often edged in red when the plant receives good light. The name is an obvious nod to J. R. R. Tolkien’s character, and the otherworldly leaf shape earns it. Like all jade plants it is a slow-growing, long-lived succulent from the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), native to South Africa and Mozambique, and it thrives on neglect indoors.
How much light does a Gollum Jade need?
Gollum Jade wants bright, indirect light — at minimum 3–4 hours a day. A south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal; an east-facing one is workable but slower. In low light the stems elongate and pale, a process called etiolation, and the compact form that makes this cultivar appealing is lost. Direct afternoon sun through glass can scorch the leaf tips, but gentle morning direct sun is usually fine and encourages the distinctive red colouring.
How often should you water a Gollum Jade?
Water every 2–3 weeks in the active growing season, and cut back to once a month or less in winter. The rule is simple: let the soil dry out completely between waterings — push a finger an inch into the soil and water only when it feels bone dry. Gollum Jade stores moisture in its stems and leaves, and overwatering is by far the most common cause of death. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
Why do Gollum Jade leaves turn red at the tips?
The red tipping is a stress response, and a desirable one. Bright light and mild temperature fluctuations — especially cool autumn nights around 50–55°F (10–13°C) — trigger anthocyanin production, flushing the leaf tips red or orange. To maximise colour, move the plant to the brightest spot you have, ease off on fertiliser, and let outdoor temperatures cool it gently in autumn if you can. A plant kept in dim conditions will stay uniformly green.
How do you propagate a Gollum Jade?
Propagation is easy from stem cuttings or individual leaves. Snip a healthy stem 2–3 inches long, let the cut end callous over for a day or two, then push it into barely-damp cactus compost. Keep it in bright, indirect light and do not water for a week; roots form within 2–4 weeks. Leaf propagation is slower — lay a whole leaf on dry gritty compost and mist occasionally — but it does work, and is a fun experiment for spare leaves that fall off during repotting.
Is Gollum Jade safe for pets?
No — the ASPCA lists jade plant and its cultivars as toxic to cats and dogs. The exact toxic principle is not fully identified, but ingestion causes vomiting, lethargy, and incoordination. Keep Gollum Jade on a high shelf or in a room pets cannot access, especially given how low and reachable a well-grown specimen on a windowsill can be.