The Tube Jade Plant (Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ or ‘Hobbit’) is a distinctive succulent known for its unique, tubular leaves with flared, trumpet-like ends. These leaves often display a reddish tinge on the tips, resembling fingers or coral, giving rise to common names like Gollum Jade, Hobbit Jade, or Ogre Ears. Originating from South Africa, this low-maintenance plant is popular as a houseplant due to its unusual appearance and ease of care. It thrives both as a compact indoor plant and as a small shrub outdoors in warmer climates.
Tube Jade Plant Care
Tube Jade Plants flourish when provided with appropriate environmental conditions, mimicking their natural arid habitat. Careful attention to light, watering, and soil composition supports their health and encourages vibrant growth. Maintaining stable temperatures and humidity levels also contributes to their well-being.
Light
Tube Jade Plants require bright, indirect sunlight for at least four to six hours daily. A south or west-facing window is often suitable for indoor growth. While they tolerate some direct morning sun, intense midday sun can scorch leaves, causing brown marks or yellowing. Insufficient light leads to leggy growth or leaf drop.
Watering
Tube Jade Plants are highly susceptible to root rot if overwatered, making proper watering crucial. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings before rehydrating thoroughly. During spring and summer, they may need more frequent watering. In fall and winter dormancy, reduce watering significantly, sometimes to once a month. Shriveled or wrinkled leaves indicate underwatering, remedied with a deep soak.
Soil Requirements
The ideal soil mix for Tube Jade Plants must offer excellent drainage to prevent waterlogging. A specialized succulent or cactus potting mix is recommended. Alternatively, create a custom blend by mixing regular potting soil with amendments like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand in at least a 1:1 ratio. This gritty composition ensures quick drainage, protecting roots from rot.
Temperature and Humidity
Tube Jade Plants prefer warm temperatures, thriving between 65-75°F (18-24°C) during the day and 50-60°F (10-16°C) at night during dormancy. They tolerate average household humidity but prefer lower humidity and good air circulation, which prevents excessive moisture. Frost or temperatures consistently below 40-50°F (4-10°C) can be damaging.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing Tube Jade Plants is not always necessary, but light feeding during their active growing season can encourage robust growth. If fertilizing, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) at half strength, once or twice during spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing during fall and winter dormancy, as this can weaken or burn the plant. Over-fertilization can lead to salt buildup, appearing as white deposits on leaves.
Propagating Tube Jade Plants
Propagating Tube Jade Plants is straightforward, commonly achieved through stem or leaf cuttings. The best time for this is during warmer months, typically spring or summer, when active growth promotes faster rooting.
To propagate from a stem cutting, select a healthy stem 3 to 4 inches long. Remove lower leaves to expose nodes where roots will emerge. Allow the cut end to callus for two to three days, or up to two weeks, to prevent rot before planting. Once callused, insert the cutting 1-2 inches deep into a well-draining succulent potting mix, ensuring it stands upright. Water lightly and place in a warm, bright location, avoiding direct sun until roots establish.
Leaf propagation is another method, though slower than stem cuttings. Choose a healthy, plump leaf and carefully twist or cut it from the stem, ensuring the entire leaf, including the base, remains intact. Allow the leaf to callus for a few days to a week before placing it on top of or slightly pressed into well-draining soil. Keep the soil lightly moist; roots should form within weeks, with new plantlets emerging from the leaf’s base over time.
Common Tube Jade Plant Problems
Tube Jade Plants are resilient but can experience common issues related to environmental stress or pests. Recognizing these problems early allows for timely intervention and effective solutions.
Leaf drop is a frequent problem, caused by overwatering, underwatering, or insufficient light. Overwatering often leads to mushy, yellowing leaves and root rot. Shriveled, dry leaves indicate underwatering, especially if the soil is bone-dry. Adjusting watering practices and ensuring adequate light often resolves leaf drop.
Pest infestations are another concern, with mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites being common. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses, feeding on plant sap. Scale insects are small, brown, immobile bumps that also suck sap, potentially leading to sticky honeydew. Spider mites cause tiny speckles on leaves and may produce fine webbing. Isolate infested plants and treat mealybugs and scale with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, or spider mites with a strong stream of water.