Tiger Jaws Plant Care

Table of Contents

If you’re looking for a plant that’s attractive and easy to care for, the Tiger Jaw plant (Faucaria tigrina) is a great option. These succulent plants are native to South Africa and get their name from their tiger-like stripes.

The plant is relatively small, so it’s perfect for indoor gardens or potted plants.

What is Tiger Jaws Plant?

The Tiger Jaw succulent, also known as Shark’s Jaws, with the scientific name Faucaria tigrina is a native to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This region also has cooler periods that make it easier for growers in temperate areas to mimic their natural habitat.

This subtropical succulent gets its name after its tiger-like teeth-shaped leaves. This sun lover plant is a member of the Aizoaceae family, which includes other popular succulents such as Lithops and Fenestraria.

The leaves of Tiger Jaws have spaced out, white striations that give it a rough texture. Depending on the intensity of sunlight the plant receives, the leaves can develop a deep purple-to-pink outline. The plant can grow up to 15 cm (6 inches) tall, while the triangular leaves mature to 5 cm (2 inches) long.

They are thick and soft, with little spiked lumps that look like teeth.

Tiger Jaws Care Table

tiger jaw care card

Tiger Jaws Care

tiger jaws succulent plant

Tiger Jaws succulents are very easy to care for and require very little maintenance. In addition, they’re drought tolerant and can handle long periods of neglect—however, if you want your plant to flourish, there are a few things to bear in mind.

Keep reading our comprehensive guide on how to grow tiger jaws to learn everything you need about growing and caring for these unique succulents.

Soil Mix Suitable for Tiger Jaws succulent

A well-draining succulent or cactus potting mix is the best soil mix for Tiger Jaws. You can also make your mix by combining equal parts of perlite, sand, and potting soil. It will ensure the plant gets the drainage needed to prevent root rot.

The soil used to plant positively influences the growth of your Tiger’s Jaw succulents. Therefore, the best soil for growing your Shark Jaws plant should contain lots of organic matter and well-draining soil.

Sunlight Needs for Tiger Jaws succulents

tiger jaws succulent under sunlight

Tiger jaws need plenty of sunlight to prevent the leaves from etiolating or stretching. The leaves will stretch out and become pale if the plant isn’t getting enough light. The plant will also become leggy if it doesn’t get enough sunlight.

Place the plant in a sunny spot where it can get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Water Requirement for Tiger Jaw succulent

Succulent plants have the capacity to store water from their stems and leaves. The tiger jaw is no different. They can thrive with neglect for a long period of time and are considered to be drought tolerant.

However, the plant will wilt if it’s allowed to dry out completely. Instead, water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch and then let the plant drain before putting it back in its pot. During the winter, water the plant even less to prevent rot.

Temperature & Humidity Needs

The Tiger jaw succulent can handle a wide range of temperatures and doesn’t need high humidity. The plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your plant outdoors in direct sun during the summer will help it to flower.

tiger jaws temperature and humidity levels

During the summer, it requires a lot of light and plenty of sunshine. However, they can withstand direct sun, and these plants do well outside during the hotter months. On the other hand, they can also tolerate slightly cooler temperatures during winter, but this succulent is not cold-hardy.

Damp air or high humidity can cause Faucaria tigrina plants to rot.

Fertilizing of Tiger Jaws succulent

Tiger jaws don’t need much fertilizer and can be damaged by too much. So instead, fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with succulent or diluted liquid fertilizer. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions to avoid over-fertilizing the plant.

How to Prune Tiger Jaws

This stemless succulent doesn’t need to prune, but you can remove any dead or dying leaves. Pruning will also help keep the plant compact and prevent it from becoming leggy.

Repotting and Propagation

Succulents from the Tiger’s Jaw genus are propagated by offset or cutting leaf. To propagate by offsets, carefully remove the offsets from the parent plant and pot them up in a well-draining succulent mix. Great if you find attached roots because they will begin multiplying.

Propagate Tiger Jaws by leaf cuttings, snip off a leaf and allow it to be callous for a few days before potting it in a succulent mix.

Tiger Jaws Succulent Varieties

There are a few different varieties of Tiger Jaws succulents, including:

Faucaria tigrina ‘Bicolor’ has green leaves with yellow stripes.

Faucaria tigrina ‘Variegata’ has green leaves with white stripes.

Faucaria Felina has smaller teeth and is more compact than the other varieties.

Common Pests and Diseases of Tiger Jaws succulent

Tiger jaws are generally resistant to pests and diseases. Although these plants are beautiful, they can fall prey to mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. If your plant is affected by these pests, treat it with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Common problems with Tiger Jaws succulents include root rot, stem rot, and fungal diseases. These problems occur by too much water or humidity. If your plant is affected by any of these problems, it’s essential to act quickly to save the plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tiger jaw succulent is a flowering plant with thick, fleshy stems and triangular leaves, with a tiger’s mouth or shark’s mouth looking with teeth as its spikes.

This is a low-growing succulent that can grow up to 6 inches tall.

This is the same as the regular tiger shaw with some white variegation on its thick leaves. The same care requirements for the regular tiger jaws succulent. Just increase the light setting for this magical ones due to its variegation.

Tiger’s Jaw succulents are available online at Plantly or at your local nursery.

When purchasing a plant, look for one that is healthy and free of pests and diseases. Avoid buying a pot-bound plant, as this can cause problems down the road. It’s also best to purchase a plant in a pot with good drainage holes.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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