You Grow Girl™

By Kelly Martini

This wonderful succulent, Faucaria tigrina, which is commonly known as Tiger's Jaws (in fact, the genus name Faucaria is Latin for "jaws") due to the teeth-like structure on the leaves, is a native of South Africa and an opportunistic grower. This plant is compact, usually staying under 6 inches in diameter and is easily grown both indoors and out.

Family: Aizoaceae
Hardiness: Zones 9-11
Blooms: Yellow, late summer to mid fall. Will only bloom when mature and in full sunlight. The flowers open in the early afternoon and close when it becomes dark.
Use: A border plant in many gardens, although it can be grown just as easily indoors.

Light: Bright light is best, which will make the leaves stay their greenest and encourage blooming. They can tolerate lower light conditions.

Temperature: Optimal temperatures are 50ºF - 75ºF (10ºC - 24ºC), and should not reach below 40ºF. In extreme temperatures, make sure there is some shade.

Water: During the summer months be sure to let the soil dry out before rewatering, keeping to a cycle of about every 1 1/2 - 2 weeks. During the winter they can be watered less often, about every 2-3 weeks. Water more frequently in extreme temperatures.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing this plant really isn't needed as it's already a voracious grower. However, a liquid 10-10-10 diluted to half strength or a cactus fertilizer once a month during spring and summer can benefit the plant.

Repotting: Make sure to repot during its more active period, starting in spring. The soil should be well draining, mixing in some sterilized sand and/or pebbles to help promote drainage.

Propagation: Offsets that form at the base are the easiest way to propagate tiger's jaws, but leaf cuttings and seeds are also options.