'Gollum' jade guide
Crassula ovata 'Gollum', also called finger jade, ET's fingers, trumpet jade
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright direct
- Water
- When the soil is dry all the way down
- Humidity
- Dry room air is fine
- Temperature
- 13 to 27°C (55 to 80°F). Keep above 7°C (45°F).
- Soil
- Cactus and succulent mix
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer two or three times in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. Causes vomiting and lethargy.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 ft) tall, slow to grow
- Propagation
- Stem or leaf cuttings, dried and set on dry soil
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes 'Gollum' jade different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the jade plant care guide.
What it is
‘Gollum’ is a jade plant with tube-shaped leaves. Each leaf is a hollow-looking finger with a small, flat, suction cup tip. In strong sun, the tips turn red. It grows into the same branching, tree-like shape as a regular jade, only a bit slower.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Gollum’ | Long tubes with a flat cup at the tip | Fully tubed leaves, finger-like |
| ‘Hobbit’ | Leaves curled into a spoon or half tube | Leaves curl but are not full tubes |
| Jade plant | Flat, oval, paddle leaves | Flat leaves |
Care differences
Care is the same as any jade. The red tips need several hours of direct sun. In lower light, the tips stay green and the stems stretch.
Grow it from a cutting
Snap off a stem tip or a single leaf. Let it dry for a few days. Set it on dry cactus mix and give it a small drink once roots show. Stem cuttings grow faster.
Buying it
‘Gollum’ is common at garden centers and big box stores. Look for firm, plump leaves and red tips. Wrinkled leaves mean it is thirsty. Soft, yellow leaves mean rot.