Repotting guide

When & how to repot Britten's Tiger Jaws (Faucaria britteniae)

Also called Britten's Tiger Jaws, Tiger Jaws Succulent.

More about britten's tiger jaws

About Britten's Tiger Jaws

Faucaria britteniae · also called Britten's Tiger Jaws, Tiger Jaws Succulent · houseplant

Faucaria britteniae is a South African succulent with pairs of thick, toothed leaves that interlock like open jaws — the 'teeth' being soft, recurved spines. Bright yellow flowers appear in autumn. It is more drought-tolerant than many succulents and easy to grow with direct sun and sharp drainage. Non-toxic and pet-safe.

Mature size: 8–12 cm tall; rosette spread of 10–15 cm

Watch for — Root rot: Caused by overwatering or poor drainage; ensure the soil dries out fully between waterings.

How to tell britten's tiger jaws needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For britten's tiger jaws, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot britten's tiger jaws

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Britten's Tiger Jaws's growth habit — low-growing rosette-forming succulent — sets the pace. Faucaria britteniae is a South African succulent with pairs of thick, toothed leaves that interlock like open jaws — the 'teeth' being soft, recurved spines. Bright yellow flowers appear in autumn. It is more drought-tolerant than many succulents and easy to grow with direct sun and sharp drainage. Non-toxic and pet-safe.

What size pot to step britten's tiger jaws up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Britten's Tiger Jaws stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot britten's tiger jaws

Spring or summer, while britten's tiger jaws is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting britten's tiger jaws

Repot dry. Do not water britten's tiger jaws for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty cactus or succulent mix with added coarse perlite ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set britten's tiger jaws at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep britten's tiger jaws completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for britten's tiger jaws

Britten's Tiger Jaws wants gritty cactus or succulent mix with added coarse perlite. Use a 50:50 blend of commercial cactus compost and coarse perlite or grit. Good drainage prevents the shallow, thickened roots from rotting. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting britten's tiger jaws — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot britten's tiger jaws?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for britten's tiger jaws. Repot britten's tiger jaws every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty cactus or succulent mix with added coarse perlite, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does britten's tiger jaws need?

When is the best time of year to repot britten's tiger jaws?

Should you water britten's tiger jaws after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot britten's tiger jaws into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise britten's tiger jaws after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting britten's tiger jaws. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.