Tigers Jaw Cactus is an iconic desert cactus and one of the most popular succulent plants. It’s a small, round, and low-growing cactus with broad green leaves. They are native to South Africa and it is not cold hardy. The name “tiger jaw” derives from the appearance of the rosettes, which resemble an open mouth of a feline with its teeth bared. When they get older, they can grow up to 18 inches tall.
History and Plant Characteristics.
The Tiger Jaw Succulent has a history as attractive as its name! In the 1800s, the plants were collected by botanist Francis Masson who first collected them near Cape Town and gave them their English name because he thought they resembled tiger jaws.
The Tiger jaw has a rough texture, making it an excellent plant for adding height and texture to any garden. The plants grow in clusters at the base of trees, which they support during their growth. Researchers have found that growing them with other plants such as cactus creates a more tropical feel to your garden space. Tiger jaws are also known for their slow growth rate and can take up to five years before producing flowers.
The tiger jaw can grow up to 7-inches tall with a 4-inch broad base. They are easy to care for and will do best if planted in sandy soil, sitting in full sun.
How do you care for a tiger jaw succulent?
Again, this succulent has a very rough texture, making it easy to keep alive and healthy. When you first get the plant, water them regularly until they have established roots, usually in about six months. Once they have established roots, water them less frequently; ensure its watered at least once a week. During the winter, you will want to bring them inside for the colder months and bring them out during the summer months to enjoy the sun.
Some tiger jaw plant care tips are as follows:
- Keeping the plant in direct light, preferable sunlight between 3-6 hours daily.
- Watering it once a week till the soil is moist
- Fertilize it every couple of months with a cactus or succulent fertilizer – Remove its leaves from time to time
Tiger jaw succulent watering.
Wherever you live, you will probably have a different climate than what is described here. However, in most parts of the country, succulents like this do well if they are watered less frequently and given some time between watering. Water your succulents more often during the summer months but don’t over-water them, or they will drown and it will develop root rot. Instead, water them so they are consistently damp but not soggy. If you have sandy soil, you may need to water your plants more often than once per week. If you live in an area with a lot of rain, you may only need to water your plants every other week. You should test the soil to see how often you need to water your plants.
Tiger Jaw Succulent: Pruning and trimming.
Pruning is the removal of the branches of a plant, tree, shrub, or other plant material to make the plant grow more efficiently. Trimming is the act of cutting off, usually unwanted, growth from an object. This is done for functional reasons (removing dead leaves) or aesthetic reasons (to shape an object). The tiger’s jaw succulent has short and plump leaves with small teeth on its edges. At times tiger’s jaw succulent will grow too large, and they need to be trimmed or pruned. Plants, like human hair, need to be trimmed from time to time to avoid overgrowth.
Cultivation & Propagation.
Overall, this plant’s cultivation and propagation are simple. you may duplicate your plant by cutting off portions of the root and planting them in the soil. One of the simplest ways to propagate your tiger’s jaw succulent is to take a cutting from its roots, known as cuttings or division propagation. They are methods of propagating new plants from existing ones. It is also utilized to retain a plant population’s genetic diversity. You’ll need some gardening experience as well as tools like scissors, planting containers, potting soil, and a watering can to propagate your plant. Shearing a clipping from your houseplant is the first stage in propagation. Cuttings should be at least three nodes long and a couple of inches long.
Dip the cutting into the rooting hormone and coat the bottom a few inches with it. Lightly tap the cutting on the container’s side to remove any excess rooting hormone. You may wish to soak them in water first and then tap them to remove any extra water before putting them in the rooting hormone. Remove any residual rooting hormone and store it in a container. After the cuttings have grown roots, split them and pot them separately. Overcrowding can occur if many cuttings are placed in a container or pot. Overcrowding can result in mold growth and damage. Plant the cuttings, then give the new roots a week to acclimate to their new surroundings by watering them.
Mature Size and Height.
Equally important as how fast your tiger jaw succulent plant grows is the size and height your plant will eventually reach. The height your plant will grow to is mainly determined by the amount of light your plant receives and water. If your tiger’s jaw succulent gets too much light, it will grow tall and leggy. This is not desirable as it will block out the light for lower plants. If, however, your plant does not receive enough light, it will be dwarfed and spindly. Neither of these situations is desirable. Therefore, you must pay attention to the amount of sunlight your tiger’s jaw succulent receives and adjust the amount of sunlight your plant receives accordingly. You can do this by either moving your plant to a shadier area of your garden or by raising (if possible) the pot the plant is in to allow more light to reach the leaves. In general, houseplants should not be moved unless necessary.
Tiger Jaw Succulent: Flowering & Foliage.
Naturally, you want your houseplant to flower and produce foliage. However, flowering too early or too late can also have adverse effects. If your tiger’s jaw succulent flowers before their growth have reached its full potential, the flowers may never develop properly. Also, if your plant flowers have stalled after their growth, they will be stunted and deformed. Foliage also plays a vital role in a plant’s overall health and looks of your tiger’s jaw succulent. However, too much foliage can cause a plant to lose its luster. Again, like flowers, you should pay close attention to the amount of foliage your houseplant produces, and you should adjust the time you plant it in your garden accordingly.
Soil and Transplanting.
Positively influencing the growth of your tiger’s jaw succulent is the soil in which it is planted. The best soil for growing your Faucaria Tigrina plant should contains lots of organic matter. Organic matter feeds the microorganisms in the soil that are essential for healthy plant growth. You can test the organic matter content of your soil by squeezing a handful of soil between your thumb and forefinger. If the top of the soil doesn’t spring back after being pressed, then your soil is low in organic matter. If it springs back, your soil is high in organic matter. If it is high in organic matter, add peat moss or coco coir to your soil before planting. These materials will help your soil retain more moisture and make it high in organic matter. Moisture is vital to the health of all plants. It is also important to note that all plants need water to survive. However, too much water can cause a plant’s leaves to rot. Therefore, you must pay attention to the amount of water your houseplant receives and adjust the amount of water it receives accordingly.
Tigers Jaw Succulent Light Requirements
One of the most important factors for healthy plant growth is sunlight. Like water, sunlight is also essential to the health of your houseplant. However, it is also important to note that too much sunlight can harm your Faucaria Tigrina. For example, too much sunlight can burn the leaves of a houseplant. Therefore, you must pay close attention to the amount of sunlight your plant receives and adjust the amount of sunlight it receives accordingly. Also, it is essential to note that the temperatures at which your houseplant grows best are between 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When it comes to tiger’s jaw, you may want to think of them as living organisms. Just like humans, plants grow old and If they are not given proper care, they will die prematurely.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tiger Jaw Succulents
Tigers Jaw Succulent is Dying
If your tiger’s jaw plant is not given proper care, it will eventually die. As the days pass, the leaves on your houseplant will begin to turn yellow and wilt, and it will eventually die. Therefore, you should water your houseplant at least once every two weeks. In addition, it would be best if you also watered it when it appears to be suffering from heat stress. i.e., Heat stress results from a houseplant’s inability to cool itself through its leaves. You should also pay close attention to the amount of light your houseplant receives. If the amount of sunlight your plant receives is low, you should increase the amount of sunlight your plant receives and vice versa.
An excellent way to help your houseplant grow well is to use fertilizer. However, be careful when choosing which fertilizer to use on your houseplant. If you are unsure which type of fertilizer you should use on your houseplant, choose one that’s high in nitrogen since most plants require it.
Here are possible top contributors to your plant dying.
Infestation and Pest.
Tiger’s jaw’s natural enemies include red spiders and certain tunneling insects, among others. Using a misting system can keep red spiders at bay, while adding grit to the soil mixture will guard the Faucaria Tigrina against tunneling insects and other pests.
Avoid over-watering.
Faucaria Tigrina hibernates during the winter months. Therefore, the amount of water it receives should be reduced. The objective of watering during the winter months is to clean the leaves and wash off any invading pests, especially red spiders.
Infection caused by a fungus
Faucaria Tigrina will not become infected with a fungal infection if it receives regular watering and has excellent air circulation in its environment. However, if an infection does occur, it is essential to remove the decaying pieces immediately to prevent the sickness from spreading.
Faucaria Tigrina Dehydration.
The stems of Tigers Jaw Succulent will perish if the plant receives small amounts of water. There is no connection between the plant’s roots and its rosettes, which grow from the base. On the other hand, you can utilize them as cuttings if you can locate the rosettes in time. Unless during the winter months, the Faucaria Tigrina should be watered twice a day with water mist diluted with plant food, except during the cold months.
Positively or Negatively?
When you first buy your tiger jaw plant, the tag on its pot will tell you how old the plant was when it was transplanted from the nursery. The older the plant, the more likely it is to have acquired (in its time in the nursery) some soil-borne disease. If this is the case, the plant will not be able to rid itself of the disease when transplanted into your garden. Instead, the plant will pass the disease on to your garden. Therefore, plants should be transplanted into their permanent homes with care; bear in mind that the act of transplanting causes trauma to the plant’s root system. This trauma may result in the plant being more susceptible to disease.
Is The Tigers Jaw Succulent Toxic?
‘Tigers Jaw’, this popular houseplant has gained notoriety because of its attractive yellow flower and glossy green foliage. However, did you know that when grown in bright, direct sunlight, the glossy green foliage of this plant can develop a toxic reaction. This is caused by the plant’s natural production of a certain type of chemical saponin. While this toxin is not necessarily deadly to humans, it can cause skin irritation and vomiting in some animals. Therefore, if you have pets or children who spend time outdoors, you should not place this plant where they can come into contact with it. Also, if you work with this plant regularly, you should wear gloves to protect your hands.
Conclusion.
On the contrary, the Tigers Jaw Succulent plant is a very hardy houseplant that will thrive in almost any location. This is especially true if the location has good air circulation, sunlight, and water. By paying attention to these details, you can ensure that your tiger’s claw plant will live as long as possible and continue to provide you with beautiful flowers and glossy green foliage throughout the year.
