How to Grow Tiger Jaws

iNaturalist

Tiger Jaws

Faucaria tigrina

succulent

Faucaria is a compact succulent native to South Africa, characterized by thick, fleshy leaves arranged in rosettes with distinctive tooth-like margins that resemble a tiger's jaw. The plant produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers in late summer to fall. It is an excellent low-maintenance houseplant and groundcover for arid climates.

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Example Tiger Jaws timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Tiger Jaws
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Tiger Jaws
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tiger Jaws dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Bright, indirect light; 4-6 hours of direct sun daily for best coloring. Tolerates partial shade but becomes leggy if light is insufficient.

💧

Water: Water sparingly during growing season (spring/summer) when soil is completely dry. Reduce watering in fall and winter. Overwatering is the primary cause of root rot; allow 1-2 weeks between waterings.

📏

Spacing: 6 inches

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Days to maturity: Mature at 2-3 years; flowers appear in the second year

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as original soil line; do not bury rosette center

Soil

Type: Well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Perlite or pumice (25-30% of mix) Coarse sand Gritty bark or horticultural charcoal

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 10-11; grow indoors or in containers in cooler climates

10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

4-8 weeks

Tiny rosettes with 4-6 small leaf pairs, fragile and bright green

Keep soil barely moist; provide bright, indirect light; maintain 65-75°F. Use well-draining seed mix.

Juvenile Growth

3-6 months

Rosette expands to 1-2 inches diameter; leaf coloring develops; characteristic tooth margins become prominent

Gradually increase light exposure; begin light watering schedule; avoid excessive moisture

Vegetative Mature

6-12 months or longer

Full rosettes 2-4 inches in diameter; leaves thickened and colored (green, gray-green, or purple-tinged depending on variety and light); ready to offset or flower

Maintain bright light and sparse watering; cool winter rest (50-60°F) promotes flowering; fertilize lightly in spring only

Flowering

4-8 weeks (flowers open in afternoon, close by evening)

Daisy-like flowers (1-1.5 inches) in bright yellow, occasionally orange or pink; flowers emerge from leaf axils

Flowers appear in late summer/fall after winter cold period; do not overwater; deadhead spent blooms if desired

Offset/Propagation

Ongoing throughout growing season

Mature plants produce baby rosettes (offsets) around the base; original rosette may decline after flowering

Allow offsets to develop 3-4 leaves before separating; replant in fresh succulent soil; offsets root quickly

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Echeveria Sedum Aloe Haworthia Lithops Portulacaria Crassula

Avoid planting near:

Moisture-loving plants (hostas, ferns, impatiens) Plants requiring frequent watering Shade plants (reduces light availability)

Common Pests

Spray with neem oil or isopropyl alcohol solution; isolate infected plant; repeat every 7-10 days until clear
Increase humidity slightly; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe; improve air circulation
Prevent through well-draining soil and careful watering; repot in fresh soil if detected; remove affected roots with sterile tool
Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply fungicide if widespread

Uses

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Ornamental Houseplant

Household

An attractive desktop or shelf plant requiring minimal care, perfect for xeriscaping indoors and adding architectural interest to collections. [source]

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Low-Maintenance Groundcover

Household

Ideal for rock gardens, troughs, and arid landscape designs in Mediterranean or desert-style gardens where it spreads via offsets. [source]

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Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

Yellow flowers attract bees and other pollinators in late summer when few other plants are blooming. [source]

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Terrarium & Container Gardens

Craft

Compact rosettes are ideal for creating decorative succulent arrangements, terrariums, and mixed container gardens with other small succulents. [source]

Harvest Tips

Faucaria is not harvested for food. Cut flowers can be enjoyed fresh (blooms last 1-2 days). Collect seeds from dried seed pods if available. Propagate offsets once they develop roots; leaf cuttings rarely succeed.

Fun Facts

🌱 The common name 'Tiger Jaws' refers to the tooth-like marginal projections on the leaves that resemble a predator's jaw; these teeth may serve a water-collection function in its native arid habitat.
🌱 Faucaria flowers exhibit nyctinasty, meaning they open in the afternoon and close by evening, a behavior that protects pollen from nocturnal moisture and directs daytime pollinators.
🌱 Unlike many succulents, Faucaria is non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a safer choice for pet-owning households.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Partial Shade

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