Variegated Gollum Jade

Description

The Variegated Gollum or more scientifically called Crassula ovata ‘Gollum Variegata’ is a unique cultivar of succulent from the Crassulaceae family. It is an interesting variety to the highly-regarded Gollum Jade – the variation on the original Jade plant, Crassula ovata. It's distinguishable from standardJade, as well asGollum,by its tubular saxophone-shaped leaves with slightly flared or cupped-trumpet like tops resembling an ear or finger; Variegated Gollum shows mixed shades of green and creamy white colors on each of its leaves along with sometimes turning shades of pink or red at the tips during exposure to excessive sunshine.

As are other varieties of jade, variegated Gollum develops into a small, compact tree-like succulent over time with its thickened woody stem lending itself nicely to bonsai style even when planted in a regular container. Place it on a sunny windowsill, study table or balcony as it doesn't sprawl and doesn't need a lot of space, the plant tends to grow compactly upwards. Variegated Gollum plant thrives in a bright environment that gets 3-4 hours of either direct or bright filtered sun, so whether grown in a home at a sunny window or outside. Less sunlight will encourage stems to stretch, while proper light encourages pink colour at the tips of the leaves.

Easy To Care Gollum tolerates the odd forgotten watering (it stores excess moisture in its fleshy leaves and stems) which makes it an easy going plant for novices and beginner succulent keepers. Plus it’s rather slow growing so it won’t demand routine repotting or pruning, and will gradually mould into a quirky little collector’s piece over the years. Gollums appeal and fun shape mean it also makes great presents.

Key features

• Unusual tubular, trumpet-shaped leaves unlike typical flat jade plant foliage
• Variegated green and creamy white leaf colouring, with pink tips in good light
• Slow-growing, tree-like form that thickens with age, suited to bonsai-style shaping
• Compact and upright, taking up little space on a shelf, desk, or window sill
• Drought-tolerant once established, needing only occasional watering
• Easy to multiply with a stick of a branch or from the leaf
• Long-lived succulent that can be grown as a small specimen plant for years
• The most eye-catching feature is its most distinguishing trait as a gifting option for plant lovers

Care at a glance

Product specifications

What's in the box

• 1 × Live Variegated Gollum Jade plant
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional)
• Potting mix
• Care guide

Important notes

• Natural variation in leaf shape, variegation pattern, and tip colour is normal from plant to plant
• Some leaf drop or stress points can be expected through transit, the plant recovers generally in one to two weeks
• Introduce the plant to brighter light gradually rather than placing it in harsh direct sun immediately after unpacking
• Don't water as soon as you un-pack; leave the plant to adjust for a few days
• Growth slows down noticeably in autumn and winter, which is normal for this succulent
• Keep this plant out of reach of pets, as Crassula ovata is known to be toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested

Frequently asked questions

Q: My Gollum leaves are turning yellow or brown, why?

A: Usually brown spotting or yellow leaves will indicate you're giving it too much (or not enough) water, or have placed it in too much bright direct sun! Always test your soil moisture, as this plant likes the soil to completely dry out before each watering - if there's yellow, put your plant in less intense direct sunlight!

Q: How frequently should this plant be watered?

A: This plant prefers good watering but only once the soil has dried up totally – which may usually be often only once in each 2-three weeks for a typical individual, (even less as you go cooler.) Best to use a soak and dry watering technique.

Q: Do you grow Gollums indoors?

A: Yes, it’s a great candidate for indoor growing as long as you give it plenty of bright light, a window with at least a couple of hours of sunshine and bright, filtered light would be ideal. In less light, plants tend to grow very long and lanky.

Q: Why aren’t the tips on my leaves turning pink? 

A: The pink or red colour you see on the tip of plant leaves occurs when the plant receives nice, bright light. If the leaf ends are remaining green then he or she might be getting a bit more sunshine at some stage.

Q: How quickly does this plant grow and when should I repot it? 

A: This succulent grows slowly. Only repot the plant every 2 to 3 years when the plant gets too large for its container and becomes root-bound. You should repot it in well-draining succulent soil and a pot with drainage holes.

Q: Is Variegated Gollum safe to have around my pets? 

A: Crassula ovata (variegated varieties like these Gollums) are somewhat toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if eaten or gnawed. Ingestion can be extremely mild on humans too – avoid giving this one as a gift for little curious hands and pets in particular.