Faucaria tigrina, the Tiger Jaws, is a small South African succulent that grows as a clump of fat triangular leaves edged with soft white 'teeth' that look like a grin. It thrives in the brightest spot you can give it and asks for little more than a gritty mix and a long dry spell between waterings.

Tiger Jaws — Faucaria tigrina

Faucaria tigrina, the tiger jaws, is a small South African succulent that forms a clump of chunky triangular leaves edged with soft white 'teeth' that look just like a grinning mouth

Quick facts

• Light: the brightest spot you have, including several hours of direct sun.
• Water: deeply every ~21 days, far less in winter.
• Temperature: 50-85F (10-29C).
• Humidity: dry air is fine.
• Soil: a gritty, free-draining succulent mix.
• Propagate: an offset pup pulled from the base.
• Pet: generally safe around pets.

those white teeth are not spines but bands of leaf tissue that catch dew and shade the leaf surface, which is how the plant copes with full sun in the wild

General Care Principles

No matter the species in this handbook, a handful of principles carry most of the weight. Get these right and the individual notes above become fine-tuning.

Water on the plant's schedule, not the calendar. Soak thoroughly, then let the soil dry before the next drink. In winter, ease right off — most of these plants want a cool, dry rest.

Use the right soil and a draining pot. Free-draining for succulents, moisture-retentive but aerated for ferns and foliage. A drainage hole is non-negotiable.

Propagate to multiply. Almost every plant here can be cloned from a leaf, offset, division, or cutting — see each species for its best method.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I really water?

Forget frequent sips. Soak the soil completely, then let it dry out fully before the next drink. In winter most of these plants want a long, dry rest. The lift test (light pot = dry) beats any calendar.

My plant is stretching and pale — what does that mean?

It wants more light. Move it to a brighter window or add a full-spectrum LED grow light. New growth will be compact and colourful; the stretched part will not undo itself, so behead and re-root the top if you like.

What soil should I use?

A free-draining mix is non-negotiable. For succulents that means gritty, sandy soil in a pot with a real drainage hole. For leafy types a peat-free houseplant mix is fine. Sitting in wet soil is the fastest route to rot.

Is this plant safe around my pets?

We note pet safety per species in this guide. 'Pet-safe' means it is not on the usual toxic lists, but no plant is food — keep curious cats and dogs from chewing leaves, and call a vet if you are worried.

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