Tiger Jaws

Tiger Jaws (Faucaria tigrina) is a clumping succulent from southern Africa, only about 10cm tall, with fat triangular leaves edged in white teeth like a row of open jaws. Mature plants in a happy spot produce large, satiny golden-yellow flowers that look too big for the plant. It spreads slowly, eventually to around 50cm across, and suits pots, bright windowsills and waterwise gardens.

Why you'll love it

• A shape you will remember. Rosettes of chunky, triangular leaves edged in white teeth are a talking point on any shelf or in any rockery.
• Big golden flowers. Starry, satiny golden-yellow flowers appear on mature, contented plants, large for the size of the plant.
• Very little aftercare. Remove dead flowers and repot when the plant outgrows its container. That is about the full list.
• Drought hardy. The fat leaves store water, so it suits waterwise gardens and forgetful gardeners.
• Slow and tidy. It clumps slowly, so a pot stays good looking for years without constant repotting.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. A shallow terracotta pot of cactus mix shows it off best. Plant 20cm apart if you are filling a wider bowl.

Waterwise gardens and rockeries. Set it into gravelly pockets in full sun, 20cm from its neighbours, with other low succulents or stones.

Indoors and courtyards. Give it the brightest window you have. Indoors or on a sheltered balcony it makes an easy indoor-outdoor plant.

Growing Tiger Jaws in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun or bright light. It is frost tender and likes low humidity, so it suits frost-free arid and semi-arid, Mediterranean and warm temperate gardens. Elsewhere, grow it in a pot and keep it indoors or under cover through winter and long wet spells.

Soil. Grow it in any free-draining loam or sandy soil, or in a cactus-specific potting mix. Avoid anything that holds water around the roots.

Water and feed. Water through the summer growing period, letting the soil dry out a little between waterings. In winter keep it almost dry. Overwatering is the main cause of loss. No regular feeding is needed.

Pruning. Remove dead flowers and any shrivelled lower leaves. Repot into the next size up when the clump becomes too large for its pot.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Tiger Jaws as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small plant with a few fat leaves and grows slowly, so plan on a season or two before it fills out. Flowers come on mature plants that are happy with their position.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More succulents for pots and gardens
• Succulents for hot climates
• Succulents in Australia: a complete care guide
• Plants that thrive in pots

Common questions

Will it flower indoors?

It can, if it gets bright light and is kept happy. Mature plants produce the golden-yellow flowers, so a young plant may take a while. Give it the sunniest sill you have.

How often should I water it?

Water through the summer growing period, letting the soil dry a little between waterings. In winter keep it almost dry.

Can it stay outside all year?

Only where frost never occurs, in a free-draining position that sheds rain. In colder or wetter regions, keep it in a pot and bring it under cover.