Crassula ovata gollum has such a curious appearance that it is nicknamed “Shrek’s ears”.
Want to know why? Read on!
Characteristics of Crassula Ovata Gollum
Crassula ovata gollum, also known as “Shrek’s ears” or Shrek Ear succulent, is a plant native to South Africa.
Shrek Ear succulent is a very compact shrubby plant with thick stems. In its habitat, Shrek Ear succulent can grow up to 35” (90 cm) tall and about 24” (60 cm) wide.
Its peculiar tubular leaves have a slight reddish tinge at the ends, which gives it a curious appearance. These curious leaves are the ones that give it the nickname of “Shrek’s ears” because it resembles this animation character.
Experts do not agree on whether this plant is a hybrid of Crassula Ovata or a cross between Crassula Argentea and Crassula Lactea.
Want to read more about Crassula plants? Crassula Red Pagoda, Crassula Campfire, Crassula tetragona, etc.
The Flower of Shrek’s ears
During the winter, Shrek Ear succulent develops flowers similar to those of its relatives.
These flowers are composed of five white petals with pinkish touches at the ends.
Crassula Ovata Gollum Care
Like the rest of the family, Crassula ovata gollum has simple care.
It is important to create a well-drained substrate with little organic matter. A special substrate for succulents combined with gravel is perfect.
Like the rest of the Crassula family, the Shrek Ear succulent withstands dry and hot climates well, even short frosts in the coldest seasons.
However, Shrek Ear succulent must have a dry environment during the winter, as humidity can cause it to rot quickly.
In short, take into account this care, and your Shrek Ear succulent will grow in good conditions:
Shrek Ear Succulent Watering
Light watering without puddling. The substrate should always be completely dry before watering again. As with all succulents, we must not overwater, or it could seriously affect the plant, causing death.
If you want to know more about how to properly water your Shrek Ears succulents, we recommend our article about How to Take Care of Succulents.
Shrek Ears Plant Humidity
Excessive humidity rots the plant, especially in cold seasons. To avoid excess moisture in our Shrek Ear succulent, we must make sure that we do not overwater and that the soil has good drainage.
Shrek Ears Succulent Light
Direct sunlight at least 4/6 hours a day. We can place it in a window with good lighting to take advantage of as many hours of light as possible.
- Created for those who love growing succulents as much as we do, Miracle-Gro Succulent Potting Mix contains the nutrients succulents need to thrive
- This succulent potting soil is fast-draining and features a blend of sphagnum peat moss, forest products and fertilizer
- Great for helping to grow happy and beautiful succulent varieties like burro’s tail, echeverias, houseleek, as well as cacti
How to Propagate Shrek Ear Succulent
We can propagate Shrek Ear succulent (Crassula ovata gollum) easily through stem or leaf cutting.
If you are going to propagate your Shrek Ear succulent at home, it is advisable to take the stem or leaf cutting using a sharp knife to cut flush.
Afterward, let the cuttings dry for a few days so that a callus forms at the cutting site. This prevents it from absorbing too much water and rotting.
Prepare the recommended substrate and place the cutting so that it touches the substrate without burying it. To do this, you can support the cutting on the side of the pot or help yourself with a pebble.
Once planted, water lightly without puddling, and always make sure that the substrate is dry before watering again.
The Shrek Ear succulent (Crassula ovata gollum) is a fast-growing plant, so in a few weeks, we will start to see how our specimen reproduces.
Crassula Ovata Gollum Bonsai
All varieties of this family are popular among bonsai lovers, and this succulent is no exception.
Shrek Ear succulents are especially recommended for beginners who are starting in the world of bonsai because of their easy care.
- Common names include: Shrek's ears succulent | Scientific name: Crassula Ovata 'Gollum Jade|Shipped well-rooted & potted in a 4 inch plastic pot with soil and ready for a size up!
- This unusual plant is a sturdy, evergreen succulent cultivar that slowly develops a tree-like shape and can grow up to 1.2m tall. Its fleshy leaves look like Shrek's ears – bright green and tubular with red tips. In late summer, this species can produce small, white-pink, star-shaped flowers.
- This succulent thrives under bright shade, meaning it can receive lots of light, but it does not have to be direct sunlight. In fact, watch out for sun burn marks and move the plant accordingly. It also only needs to be watered when the soil is completely dry. You can feel the dirt for moisture or feel the weight of the pot. Super low maintenenace plants.
Synonyms and Common Name
The etymology of the name has three parts:
Crassula: from Latin “Crassus” meaning “thick”.
Ovata: from Latin “ōvātus“, “egg-shaped oval”.
Gollum: In honor of the character from the saga “The Lord of the Rings”.
Also, this plant is known by several synonyms and common names:
Gollum jade, Shrek Ear succulent or Shrek’s Ears plant.
