Overview

Introduce a touch of whimsical charm to your indoor plant collection with the shrek’s ear jade plant. Scientifically known as Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’, this fascinating succulent is celebrated for its unusual, tubular leaves that resemble the ears of a mythical ogre, giving it its popular common name. A cultivar of the classic Jade Plant (Crassula ovata), the ‘Gollum’ variety offers a slower growth habit, making it an excellent choice for long-term enjoyment in smaller spaces like terrariums or fairy gardens. This live plant arrives in a convenient 2.5-inch pot, ready to bring its unique texture and vibrant green hues to your home or office. Its distinctive appearance and relatively low maintenance requirements make it a favorite among succulent enthusiasts and novice plant parents alike. The crassula ovata gollum is not only a decorative piece but also a resilient and long-lived addition to any plant display.

Key Benefits

The shrek’s ear jade plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it an excellent choice for various indoor settings. Its unique form and easy-care nature contribute to its widespread appeal, providing both aesthetic and practical advantages for plant lovers.

• Unique Ornamental Appeal: The tubular, finger-like leaves with reddish tips provide an unusual and captivating texture, making it a standout feature in any plant arrangement. Its peculiar form is a conversation starter and adds a modern, sculptural element to your decor.
• Low Maintenance & Drought Tolerant: As a succulent, this plant is incredibly forgiving and requires minimal watering. It thrives on neglect, making it perfect for busy individuals or those new to plant care. This makes it an ideal jade plant care option for beginners.
• Compact & Slow Growing: The ‘Gollum’ variety maintains a smaller, more manageable size compared to other jade plants, allowing it to fit perfectly in small pots, on desks, windowsills, or as part of intricate fairy garden succulents. Its slow growth means less frequent repotting.
• Excellent for Terrariums & Fairy Gardens: Its distinctive shape and small stature make it an ideal candidate for miniature landscapes, adding character and a touch of fantasy to enclosed or open terrariums and whimsical fairy garden designs.
• Air Purifying Qualities: Like many houseplants, the Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ contributes to a healthier indoor environment by helping to filter common airborne toxins, improving air quality in your home or office.
• Long Lifespan: With proper care, the shrek’s ear jade plant can live for many years, even decades, becoming a cherished part of your home and potentially growing into a small, tree-like specimen over time.
• Adaptable to Various Light Conditions: While it prefers bright light, it can tolerate a range of lighting conditions, making it versatile for different spots within your home, as long as it receives some natural light.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your shrek’s ear jade plant is straightforward, making it a rewarding experience for both seasoned gardeners and beginners. This resilient succulent thrives with consistent, but not excessive, attention. To ensure optimal growth and health, understanding its specific needs for light, water, and soil is crucial. Providing the right environment will allow your crassula ovata gollum to flourish and maintain its unique appearance for years to come.

For sunlight, the Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ prefers bright, indirect light for at least 4-6 hours a day. A south or west-facing window is ideal, but ensure it’s not exposed to intense, direct afternoon sun, especially in hot climates, as this can scorch the leaves. If grown outdoors, morning sun with afternoon shade is best. In insufficient light, the plant may become leggy and lose its vibrant coloration. When it comes to watering, the key is to allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems for jade plants, leading to root rot. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil to check for dryness before watering thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Reduce watering significantly during the cooler winter months when the plant’s growth slows down. Good drainage is paramount; use a well-draining succulent or cactus potting mix. A mix of potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand in equal parts works well to prevent waterlogging. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 65-75°F (18-24°C), and it can tolerate temperatures down to 50°F (10°C) but should be protected from frost. It is generally hardy in USDA zones 10-11 if grown outdoors. Fertilize sparingly; a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) is sufficient. Pruning can be done to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth, simply snip off leggy stems or unwanted branches with clean, sharp shears. Watch out for common pests like mealybugs or spider mites, and treat promptly with insecticidal soap if detected. Following these jade plant care tips will help your succulent thrive.

Size & Details

This offering is for one live shrek’s ear jade plant (Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’) presented in a 2.5-inch nursery pot. At the time of shipment, the plant typically stands approximately 3-5 inches tall, including the pot, with a spread of 2-3 inches. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for small spaces, desktop gardens, or as a charming addition to miniature landscapes. This succulent is known for its slow-to-moderate growth rate, typically adding a few inches in height per year under ideal conditions. It is shipped as a healthy, rooted plant, ready to be placed in its new home or repotted into a decorative container. While individual plant sizes may vary slightly due to natural growth, each specimen is carefully selected to ensure quality and vitality upon arrival. The plant will arrive in its nursery pot with soil, ensuring a smooth transition to your environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The shrek’s ear jade plant is a slow-growing succulent. While it comes in a 2.5-inch pot, it can eventually reach heights of 1-3 feet and widths of 1-2 feet over many years with proper care, developing a tree-like structure.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This particular plant is supplied in a standard 2.5-inch diameter nursery pot, making it ideal for immediate display or transplanting into a slightly larger decorative container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The crassula ovata gollum can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, it thrives in bright, indirect light. Outdoors, it prefers morning sun and afternoon shade, and is best suited for warmer climates (USDA zones 10-11) where it can be protected from frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: It requires at least 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. Direct afternoon sun can be too intense, especially indoors or in hot climates. A spot near a south or west-facing window is usually ideal for this succulent houseplants variety.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Shrek’s Ear Jade Plant is considered very easy to care for, making it a great choice for beginners. Its drought tolerance and minimal care requirements simplify its maintenance significantly.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy and well-rooted in its nursery pot with soil, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit. Some slight soil displacement may occur, but the plant itself should be in good condition.
• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, the plant is shipped in its original nursery pot with the appropriate succulent potting mix, ensuring it has everything it needs for the journey and for immediate placement upon arrival.
• Q: Can I use this plant in a fairy garden? A: Absolutely! Its unique form and compact, slow-growing nature make it an excellent and popular choice for creating enchanting fairy garden succulents and terrarium designs.
• Q: How often should I water my Shrek’s Ear Jade Plant? A: Water only when the soil has completely dried out, typically every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring/summer) and even less frequently in winter. Always check soil moisture before watering.
• Q: Is this plant pet-safe? A: No, like many jade plants, Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ is considered mildly toxic to pets if ingested. It’s best to keep it out of reach of curious animals.