Rare Types Of Jade Plants – A Collector’S Guide To Unique Varieties

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

I bet you have a soft spot for the classic jade plant. We all do! Its sturdy, emerald-green leaves and tree-like form make it a dependable friend in any plant collection. It’s often one of the first succulents we ever own, a symbol of good luck and resilience.

But what if I told you there’s a whole world of jades beyond the one you know and love? A world filled with curious shapes, vibrant colors, and stunning variegation that can transform your indoor garden from ordinary to extraordinary.

In this complete rare types of jade plants guide, I promise to introduce you to some of the most captivating and sought-after varieties. We’ll dive deep into what makes each one special, explore a detailed care guide to help them thrive, and even cover how to solve common problems. Get ready to discover your next plant obsession!

Why Go Beyond the Classic Jade Plant?

Expanding your collection is about more than just having more plants (though that’s a great reason, too!). Exploring rare varieties opens up a new dimension of gardening. The benefits of rare types of jade plants go beyond simple aesthetics; it’s about curating a living collection that reflects your unique style.

Imagine a windowsill not just with green, but with splashes of sunset orange, creamy white, and even powdery blue. Picture textures that range from smooth and paddle-like to tubular and whimsical. These plants are conversation starters and sources of immense pride.

Best of all, many of these unique cultivars are just as forgiving as their common cousin. With a few key rare types of jade plants tips, you’ll find they are surprisingly easy to care for, making them a perfect next step for any enthusiast.

Our Favorite Rare Types of Jade Plants to Collect

Ready to meet the stars of the show? Here are some of the most fascinating and beautiful rare jades that deserve a spot in your home. Each one has a distinct personality, but all share that classic jade resilience.

Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ (Gollum Jade)

Named after the famous Tolkien character, ‘Gollum’ jade is instantly recognizable. Its leaves are not flat but are elongated, green tubes that end in a reddish, suction-cup-like tip. It’s wonderfully weird and a must-have for any collector of oddities.

Crassula ovata ‘Variegata’ (Variegated Jade)

This is elegance in a pot. Each leaf is a unique piece of art, marbled with streaks of creamy white and emerald green. To keep its variegation strong and bright, it needs a bit more light than a standard jade plant. It’s a true showstopper.

Crassula arborescens ‘Blue Bird’ (Silver Jade)

If you love cool tones, you’ll adore the ‘Blue Bird’. Its fleshy, paddle-shaped leaves are a stunning silvery or blue-green, often rimmed with a thin margin of deep red or purple. This variety adds a soft, ethereal quality to any succulent arrangement.

Crassula ovata ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ (Golden Jade)

This plant lives up to its name! While the leaves are green for much of the year, when exposed to plenty of direct sunlight, the edges burst into fiery shades of gold, orange, and red. It’s like having a permanent sunset on your windowsill. This is a personal favorite of mine!

Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’

Often confused with ‘Gollum’, the ‘Hobbit’ jade has similar tubular leaves, but instead of a suction cup tip, its leaves curl backward. It’s another fun, whimsical variety that brings a touch of fantasy to your collection.

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Crassula ovata ‘Tricolor’

Taking variegation to the next level, ‘Tricolor’ boasts leaves with green, cream, and lovely pink or magenta highlights. The pink tones become more pronounced with good light exposure. It’s a delicate and incredibly beautiful plant that looks like it’s been painted by hand.

Crassula ovata ‘Denethor’

For those who love truly unique textures, ‘Denethor’ is a fascinating choice. Its leaves are a deep green and have a waxy, bumpy, and slightly ridged surface, giving it a prehistoric or otherworldly appearance. It’s a slow grower but well worth the patience.

The Ultimate Rare Types of Jade Plants Care Guide

Don’t be intimidated by the “rare” label! The truth is, if you know how to care for a regular jade, you’re already 90% of the way there. This rare types of jade plants care guide focuses on the small adjustments that will make these special varieties truly shine.

Lighting: The Secret to Vibrant Color

This is the most important tip for colored varieties like ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ and ‘Tricolor’. To get those brilliant stress colors, they need several hours of direct sunlight each day. A south-facing window is ideal.

For green varieties like ‘Gollum’ or ‘Denethor’, bright, indirect light is perfect. If you see your plant stretching or becoming “leggy,” it’s begging for more light. Don’t worry—you can always supplement with a simple grow light.

Watering: The Golden Rule of “Less is More”

Like all succulents, jades are prone to root rot. The biggest mistake you can make is overwatering. Follow the “soak and dry” method: water the plant thoroughly until water runs out the drainage hole, then wait for the soil to dry out completely before watering again.

In winter, they need even less water. When in doubt, wait another day or two. A thirsty jade will tell you with slightly wrinkled leaves, but an overwatered jade is much harder to save.

Soil and Potting Perfection

Proper soil is non-negotiable. Your rare jades need a gritty, fast-draining mix. You can buy a commercial cactus and succulent soil or make your own by mixing potting soil with perlite, pumice, or coarse sand.

Terracotta pots are a fantastic choice because the porous clay helps the soil dry out faster, providing an extra layer of protection against overwatering. And, of course, always use a pot with a drainage hole!

Feeding Your Rare Beauties

Jade plants are not heavy feeders. A balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer applied once or twice during the spring and summer growing season is plenty. Avoid fertilizing in the fall and winter when the plant is dormant.

How to Propagate Rare Types of Jade Plants Sustainably

One of the greatest joys of owning succulents is how easily they multiply! Learning how to propagate rare types of jade plants is an amazing way to create more plants for yourself or to share with friends. It’s the ultimate in sustainable rare types of jade plants gardening.

The process is the same for both rare and common varieties and is incredibly simple. This is one of the best rare types of jade plants best practices to master.

  1. Take Your Cutting: You can use a single healthy leaf or a 3-4 inch stem cutting. For stem cuttings, use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
  2. Let it Callus: This is the most crucial step! Let your leaf or stem cutting sit in a dry, shady spot for a few days until the cut end forms a dry, hardened “scab.” This prevents rot when you plant it.
  3. Plant It: Place the callused end of the stem cutting about an inch deep into dry succulent soil. For a leaf, simply lay it on top of the soil.
  4. Wait Patiently: Do not water immediately! Wait a week or two, then begin misting the soil lightly every few days. Roots and tiny new plantlets will begin to form in a few weeks to a few months. It’s magic!

Solving Common Problems with Rare Types of Jade Plants

Even with the best care, you might run into an issue or two. Don’t panic! Here’s a quick guide to diagnosing and fixing the most common problems with rare types of jade plants.

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Problem: Wrinkled or Shriveling Leaves

This is almost always a sign of thirst. The plant is using up the water stored in its leaves. Give it a deep, thorough watering, and the leaves should plump back up within a day or two.

Problem: Mushy Stems and Yellow, Dropping Leaves

This is the classic sign of overwatering and potential root rot. Stop watering immediately. If it’s a mild case, letting the soil dry out completely may be enough. For severe cases, you may need to unpot the plant, trim away any black, mushy roots, and repot in fresh, dry soil.

Problem: Leggy Growth

If your jade is stretching out with long gaps between the leaves, it’s not getting enough light. Move it to a brighter location. You can prune the leggy stems back to encourage bushier, more compact growth (and use the cuttings to propagate!).

Problem: White, Fluffy Spots

Uh oh, those are likely mealybugs. These common pests love to hide in the nooks and crannies of succulents. For a great eco-friendly rare types of jade plants solution, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it directly on the pests to kill them instantly. For larger infestations, a spray of insecticidal soap or neem oil can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rare Jade Plants

Are rare jade plants difficult to care for?

Not at all! For the most part, their care needs are identical to the common green jade plant. The main difference is that colorful or variegated varieties often require more sunlight to show off their best colors. They are perfect for confident beginners looking for a new challenge.

How can I make my ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ jade more colorful?

The secret is “good” stress, primarily from light. Gradually acclimate your plant to receive more direct sunlight. A few hours of morning or late afternoon sun will encourage the leaves to develop those beautiful yellow, orange, and red hues. A little bit of water stress (letting it get very dry) can also enhance the color.

What’s the difference between ‘Gollum’ and ‘Hobbit’ jades?

It’s all in the leaves! ‘Gollum’ jade leaves are perfect tubes with a concave, suction-cup-like tip. ‘Hobbit’ jade leaves are also somewhat tubular but are curled backward and open, looking more like a little scoop or spoon.

Your Journey into Unique Jades Begins Now!

You’ve moved beyond the familiar and into a world of incredible diversity. From the sunset hues of ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ to the quirky tubes of ‘Gollum’, these rare types of jade plants offer a rewarding experience for any gardener.

Remember that the core principles are simple: give them plenty of light, be stingy with water, and provide well-draining soil. With these fundamentals in hand, you are more than ready to build a stunning and unique collection.

So go ahead, find that one special variety that speaks to you and add a touch of the extraordinary to your home. Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
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