Caring for a Gollum Jade Plant (Shrek Ear Succulent)

The Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’, also known as Gollum Jade, is a unique succulent with tubular leaves that have suction cup-like tips. If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you might recognize why it’s named after Gollum’s fingers. Others think it looks more like Shrek’s ears or even ET’s fingers—whatever name you prefer, it’s a fun and easy plant to grow!

Crassula plants are among the easiest houseplants to care for as they survive most conditions indoors. The succulent leaves store water inside making these plants tough and tolerant of a bit of neglect.

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Where Gollum Jade Comes From

This plant is native to Southern Africa, where it grows as a small shrub on rocky slopes. With the right care, your Gollum jade can live for years and even develop into a bonsai-like tree.

Gollum Jade vs. Hobbit Jade

Gollum jade is often confused with its close relative, Hobbit jade. Both are Crassula ovata varieties named after Lord of the Rings characters, but the difference is in the leaves. Gollum jade has long, tube-like leaves, while Hobbit jade has broader, spatula-shaped ones. You might even see a few leaves on your plant that resemble the other variety!

Need a succulent plant care refresher? Check out the Beginners Guide to Succulent Care.

Light Needs

Gollum jade thrives in bright light. A sunny window with a few hours of morning sun and bright, indirect light for the rest of the day is ideal.

• In strong light, the leaf tips turn red.
• In lower light, the leaves stay greener.
• If you notice brown, dry spots, your plant might be getting too much direct sun. Use a sheer curtain to soften the light.

Continue reading to learn more about how much sun succulents need.   

Watering

This succulent is drought-tolerant, storing water in its thick leaves. In its natural habitat, it experiences dry spells followed by heavy rain. To mimic this:

• Let the soil dry out completely before watering.
• When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly.
• Water less often in fall and sparingly in winter.

Signs your plant needs water:

• Wrinkled, drooping leaves → time to water.
• Soft, mushy leaves → too much water. Overwatering leads to root rot, which is irreversible. If this happens, cut off healthy parts and try propagating them.

If you’re unsure when to water, a moisture meter can help.

If you see small white specks, check for pests first. If no pests are present, these are likely water residue marks from the plant’s natural process of releasing excess water.

Repotting

Repot every 2–3 years in spring when the plant is actively growing. Fresh, well-draining succulent soil will help keep it healthy.

• If it has outgrown its pot, choose one one size larger.
• Make sure the new pot has drainage holes.
• If your plant is top-heavy, a terracotta pot will help keep it stable and dry out the soil faster.
• Follow the steps on how to repot your plants.    

Propagating Gollum Jade

Propagation is an easy way to grow new plants. You can use stem cuttings or divide a large plant.

Propagating from Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a healthy stem with a few leaves.
2. Let it dry for a few days so the cut end can callous over.
3. To propagate the cutting in water: Place the cutting in a jar of water in bright, indirect light. Change the water regularly. Once roots are 1–2 inches long, plant in soil.
4. To root in soil: Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional) and plant directly in soil.
5. Keep in warm, bright light and resume normal care once new growth appears.