Crassula ovata 'Hobbit'

Crassula ovata 'Hobbit is a cultivar of the popular jade plant, grown for its curious leaves that roll and curl back on themselves. It is closely related to — but distinct from — the better-known cultivar Gollum, with which it is often confused; where 'Gollum' bears slender, tubular "fingers" tipped with a concave, cupped red end, 'Hobbit' has leaves that curl backward on their own length so the reddened tip is turned back toward the stem. Both are thought to have arisen as sports of the ordinary jade and are sometimes marketed together under whimsical Tolkien-inspired names.

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Description

'Hobbit' makes a slow, freely branching shrublet that in time develops the thick, gnarled trunk and bonsai-like habit of the parent jade. Its leaves are the distinguishing feature: rather than the flat, spoon-shaped blades of a normal jade, they are curled and partly rolled, curving backward on themselves. Each leaf is glossy green, and in bright light the edges and recurved tips flush an attractive red to bronze.

Like other jades, well-grown mature plants may produce clusters of small, star-shaped white to pale-pink flowers in late autumn and winter, though flowering is far less reliable indoors than the foliage display.

Cultivation

Care is essentially the same as for the parent species; see Crassula ovata for full detail. In brief, 'Hobbit' wants bright light — the brighter the position, the tighter the leaves curl and the stronger the red edging — set in a free-draining, mostly mineral mix. Water thoroughly only once the soil has dried out, and cut back sharply in winter, when the plant is best kept cool and nearly dry. Overwatering and cold, wet compost are the commonest causes of loss.

The cultivar grows on its own roots and needs no grafting. It is very easily increased from stem or leaf cuttings: a detached leaf or a short length of stem, left to callus for a few days and then set on barely moist mineral mix, roots readily. See also Watering and Repotting for general technique. As with the parent species, the plant is considered toxic if eaten, and is listed as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; site plants out of reach of pets and small children.

See also

• Crassula ovata — the parent species
• Crassula — the genus overview
• Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting

References

Horticultural information for growing these plants as ornamentals. Always confirm plant identification and any handling, grafting, or safety advice against authoritative sources before acting.