The Ogre Ear succulent is a cultivar of the common jade plant, scientifically known as Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’. This South African native has earned several whimsical nicknames, including Gollum Jade and Shrek’s Ears, due to its unusual appearance. Its low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive indoors make it a favored choice, but understanding its specific needs for light and moisture is key to cultivating a healthy specimen.
What Makes Ogre Ears Unique
The defining characteristic of the Ogre Ear succulent is the morphology of its leaves, which differ significantly from the flat, oval shape of a standard jade plant. These fleshy, bright green leaves are tubular, often curled or fused into a trumpet-like shape with a slight indentation at the tip. The cultivar Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ is sometimes confused with the similar ‘Hobbit’ variety, but ‘Gollum’ typically features a more elongated, trumpet-shaped leaf with a suction-cup-like opening.
Under high light exposure, the tips of the leaves often develop a reddish tinge, enhancing the plant’s visual appeal. Ogre Ears develop a thick, woody stem over time, allowing them to be trained into a miniature tree or bonsai specimen. While slow-growing, a mature plant can reach up to three feet tall and two feet wide, developing a gnarled appearance.
Proper Environment and Care
Ogre Ear succulents require bright conditions to thrive, preferring locations that include some direct sunlight, such as a south-facing or west-facing window. Inadequate light will cause the plant to lose its vibrant coloration, leading to a dull or faded green appearance. The attractive red coloration on the leaf tips only develops when the plant receives intense light.
The watering strategy for Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ must follow the “soak and dry” method to prevent root rot. The soil should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings, and then thoroughly saturated until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Watering may be more frequent during the active growing seasons of spring and summer, but must be significantly reduced in the cooler, dormant months of fall and winter.
The potting medium should be highly porous to facilitate rapid drainage. A commercial cactus or succulent mix is suitable, but incorporating additional materials like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand increases aeration and drainage. The preferred temperature range for Ogre Ears is between 60°F and 75°F. They should be protected from cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F, as they are not frost-tolerant.
Like other jade plants, Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ is mildly toxic to pets, particularly cats and dogs. Ingesting the plant can cause symptoms such as vomiting or lethargy, requiring careful placement in households with animals. Fertilization is minimal and should only be applied lightly during the spring and summer growing season, using a diluted succulent-specific formula.
Growing New Ogre Ear Plants
Ogre Ear succulents are easily propagated using either stem or leaf cuttings. For stem cuttings, a healthy branch should be cleanly removed using a sterile blade. The cutting must then be placed in a cool, well-ventilated area for three to five days to allow the cut surface to dry out and form a protective layer, known as a callus.
Once the callus has formed, the cutting can be inserted directly into a pot filled with a gritty succulent soil mix. The soil should be kept lightly moist until rooting occurs, which typically takes a few weeks.
Leaf propagation follows a similar initial procedure, requiring healthy, plump leaves to be carefully detached and allowed to callus for several days. The callused leaves are then laid directly on the surface of the rooting medium, where new roots and tiny plantlets will emerge.
Leaf propagation is a slower process than stem cutting, often requiring one to two months for the first signs of growth. During this rooting phase, the soil should be kept only slightly moist with a light misting every few days, and the developing plantlets should be placed in bright, indirect light.