Along with Gollum Jade, some small crassula succulents like Hobbit Jade (Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’), Variegated Gollum Jade (Crassula ovata ‘Gollum Variegata’), Skinny Fingers Jade (Crassula ovata ‘Skinny Fingers’), and Crassula Red Coral (Crassula ovata ‘Red Coral’) are lookalike and consider as Gollum jade plant types.
Most people easily confuse these jade plants. Hence, I provided a gallery of these lovely small houseplant succulents and will show you how to distinguish them, in this post. I also will give you tips for caring for your Gollum jade plant collection.
I’m a horticultural consultant and walk with you during this article, you can ask me your questions in the comments and I will answer as soon as possible. If you are ready, let’s get going.
Gollum Jade Plant Types
Gollum Jade Plant
Scientific name: Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’
The Gollum jade is one of the popular houseplants for fans of small succulents with unique appearance. This plant has tubular leaves with circular tips similar to small suction cups or trumpets. So, it is also called Trumpet jade or Finger succulent.
Creative people imagine it as Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings”, ET’s Fingers, Hobbit’s Pipe, and Shrek Ears and named it with these mystical names. In China, people believe Gollum jade brings good luck and wealth, so, they call it the Money plant.
- Light requirements: Full to partial sun
- Best Soil Mix: Sandy and well-draining
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Hobbit Jade Plant
Scientific name: Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’
Hobbit Jade earned its name from its similarity to the Hobbit’s Pipe, hence this plant is also popular among “The Lord of the Rings” fans. This plant is also known as Ogre’s Ear, Hobbit’s Foot, and Finger Jade.
As I told you above the Gollum jade and the hobbit jade (Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’) are easily confused and some people assume it is one of the Gollum jade plant types.
However, I will show you how to distinguish Hobbit Jade from Gollum Jade. The difference between these two cultivators lies in the shape of their leaves. While Gollum jade has tubular leaves with cup-like ends, the Hobbit jade has more spoon-shaped leaves, curling inwards on themselves to form a tubular appearance. I discussed it in my other post (Gollum VS Hobbit jade)
- Light requirements: Full to partial sun
- Best Soil Mix: Sandy and well-draining
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Variegated Gollum Jade
Scientific name: Crassula ovata ‘Gollum Variegata’
Although this jade plant is the variegated cultivator of the Gollum jade you can easily distinguish them by the pale green and white streaked foliage of Variegated Gollum Jade while the Gollum jade plant leaves are green with red tips.
In addition, the Variegated Gollum Jade is a slow-grower compared to its non-variegated counterpart. Furthermore, you must provide plenty of bright, indirect light to prevent it from reverting to solid green.
- Light requirements: Full to partial sun
- SBest Soil Mix: Sandy and well-draining
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
- Mature Size: 1 to 2 feet tall, 10 to 12 inches wide
Skinny Fingers Jade
Scientific name: Crassula ovata ‘Skinny Fingers’
The third of the Gollum jade plant types is called the Skinny Fingers Jade. It is another tubular-shaped jade plant which is also known as Lady Fingers or ET Fingers jade. While it looks similar to both the Gollum and hobbit jade, you can distinguish them easily by the focus on their leaves.
The Skinny Fingers Jade leaves tend to be longer, skinnier, and thinner at the tips than the Gollum and Hobbit jade. In addition, its leaf shape is not pronounced suction cup shape.
- Light requirements: Full to partial sun
- Best Soil Mix: Sandy and well-draining
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Crassula Red Coral
Scientific name: Crassula ovata ‘Red Coral’
Finally, Crassula Red Coral is the last among the Gollum jade plant types. Similar in form to Gollum jade, this crassula has stunning, brightly coloured foliage which is most prominent in direct sunlight. This jade plant grows to be about three feet tall and two feet wide and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. If you are growing it indoors, keep in mind that a grow light may be necessary to fully enjoy its red and yellow colours.
- Light requirements: Full to partial sun
- Best Soil Mix: Sandy and well-draining
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
| I recommend reading my other post about Gollum Jade Plant problems: |
Conclusion
Now, you have a gallery of Gollum jade plant types including, Crassula Red Coral, Skinny Fingers Jade, Variegated Gollum Jade, Hobbit Jade, and Gollum jade. However, they are different crassula varieties. They have tubular leaves which are similar to trumpets.
As you found out above, these small indoor succulents not only share similarities in appearance but also common names, which can make their identification more confusing. Hence, I gave you tips on how to distinguish these plants and told you almost all the names.
Please tell me in the comments about your Gollum jade plant types. Which varieties do you have? Did you identify them using this article’s tips or a plant ID? You can also ask me questions; I will answer them soon.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.