How to Grow and Care for Tiger Jaws Succulent

The Tiger Jaws succulent, Faucaria tigrina, is a small, clumping succulent from the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Its thick, triangular green leaves are lined with soft spines that resemble an animal’s teeth, giving the plant its name. Despite a fierce appearance, these “teeth” are harmless. This plant grows in stemless, star-shaped rosettes and remains low to the ground, reaching heights of no more than six inches.

Tiger Jaws Succulent Care

Light

The Tiger Jaws succulent requires significant light to maintain its compact shape and vibrant color. When grown indoors, a south-facing window providing at least three to six hours of direct sun is ideal. If a sunny location is unavailable, a grow light can prevent the plant from stretching. Outdoors, it thrives in full sun but may need protection from intense afternoon sun in hot climates to avoid scorching.

Soil

Faucaria tigrina is susceptible to root rot, so a well-draining cactus or succulent mix is necessary. You can amend a standard mix with coarse sand, perlite, or pumice to increase its porosity. These succulents should be planted in containers with ample drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the base.

Water

Use the “soak and dry” method for watering. Water the plant thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes, then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. During the active growing season in spring and summer, you will need to water more frequently. Overwatering, especially in a pot without proper drainage, can quickly kill the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Faucaria tigrina prefers warm temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during its growing season. It can tolerate brief temperature drops to about 25°F but is not frost-tolerant and must be brought indoors before a freeze. This succulent tolerates low humidity, making it suitable for indoor conditions without supplemental misting.

Fertilizer

This succulent is not a heavy feeder. During the spring and summer growing season, apply a diluted, low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer once or twice. Avoid feeding the plant during its fall and winter dormancy period. Over-fertilizing can lead to weak, leggy growth.

Flowering and Dormancy

Tiger Jaws succulents produce large, daisy-like yellow flowers in the fall and early winter. The flowers open during the middle of the day and close in the late afternoon. To encourage blooming, the plant needs sufficient sunlight and must be a few years old. Following its flowering period, the plant enters dormancy during winter, and its growth slows or stops. During dormancy, its water needs decrease significantly, so you should reduce watering frequency and allow the soil to remain dry for longer periods.

Common Problems

Soft, mushy, or yellowing leaves are a frequent issue and a sign of overwatering, which leads to root rot. If you notice these symptoms, check the roots and repot the plant in fresh, dry soil if necessary. Another common problem is etiolation, or stretching, where the plant becomes pale and leggy when it does not receive enough light. To fix this, gradually move the plant to a brighter location with more direct sunlight. Tiger Jaws can attract pests such as mealybugs, which are small, white, cottony insects that hide in the crevices at the base of the leaves. You can remove them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or treat the plant with an insecticidal soap.

Propagating Tiger Jaws

Faucaria tigrina is propagated by dividing the offsets that form around the base of the mother plant, preferably during spring or summer. Gently separate an offset from the main rosette, ensuring it has some roots attached. Allow the offset to sit out for a day or two so the cut surface can dry and form a callus, which prevents rot. Plant the calloused offset in a pot with a well-draining succulent mix. Keep the soil lightly moist in a location with bright, indirect light until a root system develops.