The Tiger Jaws plant, botanical name Faucaria tigrina, is a succulent with striking features. It’s is native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It gets its common name from the resemblance of its leaves to the insides of a tiger’s jaw. The leaves are triangular and have sharp points resembling the long teeth of a tiger. However, the excess of spotting and the length of the “teeth” separate them from the Faucaria felina group that has very similar features.
It is also quite popular in cultivation and can be found in gardens and homes worldwide. However, it is a slow-growing plant, and it can take many years to reach its full size. It typically grows to be about 6 inches tall and 7 inches wide.
Tiger Jaws is suited for succulent gardens, and it makes an excellent addition to any collection. It is also a great plant as an introduction to succulent care, as it is easy to care for and forgiving if it is neglected. Tiger Jaws prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade, making it a versatile choice for a variety of locations.
Faucaria tigrina Main Characteristics
| Common Name | Tiger Jaws |
| Botanical Name | Faucaria tigrina |
| Family | Aizoaceae |
| Genus | Faucaria |
| Type | Succulent |
| Native Range | South Africa |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 9 to 11 |
| Mature Size | Height: 4-6 inches, Spread: 5-6 inches |
| Bloom Time | Autumn, Early Winter |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Propagation methods | by offsets, by seeds |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Porous, Well-drained |
| Toxicity | Non-Toxic |
Faucaria tigrina Care
If you are looking for a standout succulent that is sure to turn heads, then Tiger Jaws is the plant for you. This perennial is a great choice for any garden with its striking leaves and easy care requirements.
Light and Location
Like most succulents, Tiger Jaws prefers full sun. It wants to be in a sunny spot with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. In winter, their requirement for sunlight goes down, but it’s still advisable to keep them somewhere bright.
Watering
If you’ve cared for succulents before, there are no surprises here. Watering should be done thoroughly in the growing season, ensuring fast drainage afterward. Before the next session, you must be certain the soil is completely dry. Dig a finger in the soil to find out. In winter, water to keep the soil barely moist.
Temperature
Faucaria tigrina performs best in warm environments, with average daily temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. These are hardy plants that tolerate extremes on either end but strive to bring these temps back to normal quickly.
Humidity
Tiger Jaws does well in moderately dry to average humidity levels. Unless your home is particularly dry, you don’t need to worry about moisture levels for these plants. After all, their native habitat is famously arid.
Fertilizer
Faucaria tigrina doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer. In fact, over-fertilizing can result in weak and leggy plants. Fertilize once in spring and once again in fall with a balanced succulent/cactus fertilizer and leave it at that.
Propagating Faucaria tigrina
There are two methods: By offsets and by seeds.
By Offsets
Faucaria tigrina produces plenty of offsets during its lifetime. Chances are, you’ll end up with more of these “pups” than you know what to do with. The process is fairly straightforward as these are among the easiest succulents to propagate. Most gardeners prefer using offsets as they’re more readily available and they mature faster.
- First, identify the biggest offset the parent plant has produced so far. The farther along it is, the higher the chances it’ll take root.
- Separate it from the parent plant. Use a sharp knife to do the job, as the bristles on the leaves make it hard to do so by hand. Try not to damage the roots, if any.
- If the offset has roots already growing, plant it in a fresh pot and treat it as a mature plant, the hard part is done. But if there are no roots, allow the cut end to dry out and callus over for a few days. Plant it in a fresh pot filled with the appropriate succulent mix and wait for roots to form.
By Seeds
Propagating succulents by seeds is a bit more hit-or-miss than doing it by offsets. Not all seeds will germinate, and those that do may not produce the desired results. But if you’re feeling lucky, it’s worth a shot. Note that indoor plants rarely flower. So you might want to move them outdoors in the summer to increase their chances.
- Faucaria tigrina readily produces seeds, and they are easy to germinate. After the flowers ripen, getting your hands on some seeds is simply a matter of opening the pods. Split them open and extract the seeds.
- Sow the seeds in a succulent mix, barely cover them with soil, and lightly tamp them down. Moisture is crucial for germination, so keep the soil surface moist until the seeds germinate.
- Be patient, as it can take several weeks for the seeds to germinate. Once they do, keep an eye on them and water when the soil feels dry.
Potting and Repotting Tiger Jaws
When potting, choose a shallow pot. The root system of this succulent is fairly short, and they don’t need all that much space to function. The best potting mix is a coarse succulent/cactus mix you can get from any gardening store. You can also mix your own; just make sure it’s fast-draining. Lastly, ensure the pot has drainage holes.
Faucaria tigrina are slow growers, so don’t be in a hurry to move them to a new pot every year. It usually takes a couple of years for them to outgrow a pot and sometimes even longer. Identify your plant’s needs before proceeding. When the plant does outgrow its current pot, gently lift it out and shake off the old soil. Make sure the new pot is only slightly bigger; emphasis on slightly. And tamp down on the soil before watering. As always, ensure the drainage holes are working correctly and no water is sitting in the pot stagnant.
Toxicity
Faucaria tigrina is non-toxic to both people and pets. But, as with any plant, take care not to ingest any of the leaves or sap. It won’t do you any good.
Common Pests and Diseases
Faucaria tigrina is generally pest- and disease-free.
Common Problems
Leave Becoming Pale or Brown
The most common problem with Tiger Jaws is overwatering. They can quickly rot if you give them too much water. Also, any drastic changes in color from the healthy green are most likely caused by too much water. Fix your routine from now on, and the plant should recover if the problem isn’t too severe.
Plant Becoming Mushy
If the plant has been planted in the wrong type of soil, i.e., one that doesn’t drain well, the plant’s entire structure becomes doughy and soft. Unfortunately, this spells the end for most specimens, and you can do little to save it. But don’t be discouraged and try again with a new plant.
How to Take Care of a Tiger Jaws (Faucaria Tigrina) (Video)
FAQ
How To Care For Tiger Jaws Succulent?
Water when the soil dries out and give plenty of sunlight. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and that you’re not overwatering them. Faucaria tigrina is generally pest- and disease-free but can suffer from rot if given too much water.
How To Propagate Tiger Jaws?
You can propagate Tiger Jaws by seeds or offsets. To propagate by seeds, simply sow them in a succulent mix and keep the soil’s surface moist until they germinate. If propagating by offsets, separate a “pup” from the parent plant replant in a fresh pot.
Attribution
“Tiger Jaw in bloom” by Anika Malone is marked with CC BY 2.0.
“Faucaria Tigrina – Tiger’s Jaw” by mcgrayjr is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.
“Flower- eating plant.” by graftedno1 is marked with CC BY-ND 2.0.