Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Toxic to pets
Tiger Jaws
Faucaria tigrina · Aizoaceae
Easy
Pet-safe
Faucaria tigrina is a compact, stemless succulent native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, where it grows in rocky, arid scrubland. It forms neat rosettes of fleshy, triangular leaves edged with soft, tooth-like projections that give it the appearance of an open jaw. In autumn it produces cheerful, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that open in the afternoon sunlight.
☀ Light
Full sun to bright direct light
💧 Water
Sparingly; allow to dry fully between waterings
🌡 Temp
10 to 27 C
💦 Humidity
Low; tolerates dry air well
🌿 Soil
Very free-draining, gritty cactus or succulent mix
🍽 Feeding
Once or twice during the growing season
Photo: Dav Hir / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Tiger Jaws
Light
Faucaria tigrina thrives in a position that receives at least four to six hours of direct sunlight each day. A south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal in a UK home. Insufficient light leads to etiolation, with the rosettes stretching and losing their compact, attractive form. If natural light is poor, a dedicated grow light positioned close to the plant will compensate adequately.
Watering
This species follows a winter-growing pattern, meaning its active growth occurs in autumn and winter, with a summer rest period. Water moderately from late summer through to early spring, allowing the compost to dry out completely between each application. Reduce watering significantly from late spring to midsummer. Always water at the base rather than overhead, and never allow the plant to sit in standing water, as root rot is the most common cause of failure.
Soil and potting
Use a very gritty, free-draining compost. A proprietary cactus and succulent mix is suitable on its own, or a standard peat-free compost mixed with at least 50 per cent horticultural grit or perlite works well. Good drainage is non-negotiable; compacted or moisture-retentive compost will quickly cause root problems.
Feeding
Feed once or twice during the active growing season (autumn to early spring) with a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertiliser formulated for cacti and succulents, diluted to half the recommended strength. Avoid feeding during summer dormancy, as this can stress the plant and encourage weak, soft growth.
Humidity and temperature
Faucaria tigrina is well suited to the dry conditions found in most homes and requires no additional humidity. It prefers temperatures between 10 and 27 C during the growing season. It can tolerate short spells down to around 5 C if kept completely dry, but frost will damage or kill it. Avoid placing it near radiators or in spots with sudden temperature fluctuations.
Repotting
Repot every two to three years, or when the plant has clearly outgrown its container. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the root ball, as an oversized container retains excess moisture. Terracotta pots are preferable as they allow moisture to evaporate from the sides. Repot in late summer, just before the growing season resumes, using fresh gritty compost.
Pruning
Very little pruning is required. Remove any dead or shrivelled leaves by gently pulling them away from the base of the rosette to maintain appearance and prevent potential rot. Spent flower stalks can be snipped off cleanly at the base once blooming has finished. Do not cut into healthy leaf tissue.
Is Tiger Jaws toxic?
Pets: Non-toxic. Faucaria tigrina is not listed as toxic to cats or dogs by the ASPCA. The soft, tooth-like projections on the leaves are not rigid spines and pose no significant physical hazard.
People: Not known to be toxic to humans. The leaf teeth are soft and cause no harm on contact.
People: Not known to be toxic to humans. The leaf teeth are soft and cause no harm on contact.
Common problems
Soft, mushy leaves or blackening at the base
Likely cause: Root rot caused by overwatering or poorly drained compost Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, cut away any rotten roots, allow to dry for a day or two, then repot into fresh, dry, gritty compost. Reduce watering frequency going forward.
Elongated, stretched growth with wide spacing between leaves
Likely cause: Insufficient light (etiolation) Fix: Move the plant to a brighter position with direct sunlight. Etiolated growth cannot be reversed, but new growth will be more compact once light levels improve.
Shrivelled, wrinkled leaves
Likely cause: Underwatering during the active growing season Fix: Water thoroughly, ensuring the compost is moistened fully, then allow to dry before watering again. Shrivelling during summer dormancy is normal and does not require action.
White or grey powdery coating on leaves
Likely cause: Mealybug infestation or powdery mildew Fix: For mealybugs, remove visible insects with a cotton bud dipped in isopropyl alcohol and treat with a neem oil solution. Improve air circulation if powdery mildew is suspected.
Failure to flower
Likely cause: Insufficient light or warmth, or being kept too warm during summer rest Fix: Ensure the plant receives adequate direct sunlight and allow it a cooler, drier rest period in summer to encourage bud formation in autumn.
Pale, washed-out leaf colour
Likely cause: Excessive shade or lack of nutrients Fix: Move to a brighter location and apply a dilute succulent fertiliser once during the growing season if the plant has not been fed recently.
How to propagate
Division
As the plant matures it produces offsets (pups) around the base. These can be carefully separated from the parent plant during repotting in late summer, allowed to callous for a day, then potted individually into gritty compost.
Seed
Sow seeds on the surface of a moist, fine gritty compost in spring or early summer, press lightly, and cover with a thin layer of fine grit. Keep at around 18 to 21 C in bright indirect light; germination typically occurs within two to four weeks.
Where Tiger Jaws comes from
Native to Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
Story and origins
The genus name Faucaria is derived from the Latin word 'fauces', meaning throat or jaws, a direct reference to the gaping appearance of the paired leaves with their marginal teeth. The species epithet 'tigrina' comes from the Latin 'tigris', meaning tiger, alluding to the white spots or streaks on the leaf surface that were thought to resemble a tiger's markings. Together the name effectively translates as 'tiger's jaws', which is precisely the common name by which the plant is most widely known.
Faucaria tigrina was first formally described by the German botanist Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler in 1926, based on specimens collected from the rocky quartz fields and scrubland of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The genus Faucaria was established by the Dutch botanist Nicolaas Laurens Burman's descendants and later refined by the prolific succulent specialist Hermann Schwantes in the early twentieth century. The plant was introduced to European horticulture during the early twentieth century, when South African succulents were attracting considerable interest from collectors, and it quickly gained popularity due to its striking appearance and ease of cultivation on a sunny windowsill.
Varieties to know
Faucaria tigrina var. longifolia
A variant with notably longer, more slender leaves and more pronounced marginal teeth.
Faucaria bosscheana
A closely related species sometimes sold alongside F. tigrina, distinguished by white-spotted leaves and a slightly smaller habit.
Faucaria tuberculosa
Another species in the genus, notable for heavily warty, tuberculate leaf surfaces; often grouped with F. tigrina in cultivation.
Fun facts
- The leaf teeth of Faucaria tigrina are entirely soft and flexible, making them harmless to handle despite their fearsome appearance.
- The bright yellow flowers open only in direct afternoon sunlight and close again in the evening or on overcast days.
- Faucaria tigrina is a winter-grower, which is the opposite of most succulents sold in the UK, and it naturally rests during the summer months.
- The genus Faucaria contains only around six to eight recognised species, all native to a small region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
- Individual plants can live for many decades when grown in appropriate conditions, slowly clumping to form dense mats of rosettes.
Tiger Jaws FAQ
Why are the leaves on my Tiger Jaws shrivelling?
Shrivelling during the active growing season (autumn to spring) usually indicates the plant needs water. Give it a thorough drink and allow it to drain fully. If shrivelling occurs during summer, this is normal dormancy behaviour and watering should remain minimal.
Why is my Tiger Jaws not flowering?
Faucaria tigrina flowers in autumn in response to shortening days and cooler temperatures. If it does not flower, it likely needs more direct sunlight throughout the growing season, or it may not have had a warm, dry summer rest period to trigger bud development.
Can I keep Tiger Jaws outdoors in the UK?
It can be placed outdoors in a sheltered, sunny spot during dry summer weather, which can benefit the plant and help it flower. However, it must be brought inside before the first frost, as it cannot tolerate freezing temperatures, especially when wet.
How often should I water Tiger Jaws?
During the active growing season (roughly late summer to early spring), water every two to three weeks, always allowing the compost to dry out completely between waterings. In summer, reduce to once a month at most, or withhold water almost entirely.
Is Tiger Jaws safe around cats and dogs?
Yes, Faucaria tigrina is not listed as toxic to cats or dogs by the ASPCA. The soft leaf teeth are also not physically dangerous. That said, ingestion of any plant material can potentially cause mild digestive upset in sensitive animals.
How do I propagate Tiger Jaws?
The easiest method is division. When repotting, gently separate any offsets that have formed around the base of the mother plant, allow them to dry for a day, and pot them individually into gritty, dry compost. Water lightly after a week once roots begin to establish.
Why does my Tiger Jaws look stretched and leggy?
This is etiolation, caused by insufficient light. The plant is reaching towards a light source. Move it to the sunniest available windowsill, ideally one that receives direct sun for several hours a day. The stretched growth will not return to normal, but new growth will be compact.
