Repotting guide

When & how to repot Cat's Jaws (Faucaria felina)

Also called Tiger Jaws Faucaria, Cat Jaws Succulent, Faucaria.

More about cat's jaws

About Cat's Jaws

Faucaria felina · also called Tiger Jaws Faucaria, Cat Jaws Succulent · houseplant

Faucaria felina is a stemless South African succulent with pairs of triangular, tooth-edged leaves that resemble an open mouth or jaw. It produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in autumn. Easy to grow in a sunny spot, it is highly drought-tolerant. Not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and keep away from pets as a precaution.

Mature size: 5–10 cm tall; clumps spread to 20–30 cm across

Watch for — Root rot: Most commonly caused by overwatering, especially in winter dormancy. Let soil dry completely between waterings.

How to tell cat's jaws needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For cat's 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 cat's jaws

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Cat's Jaws's growth habit — clumping, stemless succulent forming dense mats over time — sets the pace. Faucaria felina is a stemless South African succulent with pairs of triangular, tooth-edged leaves that resemble an open mouth or jaw. It produces bright yellow daisy-like flowers in autumn. Easy to grow in a sunny spot, it is highly drought-tolerant. Not individually listed by the ASPCA; treat with caution and keep away from pets as a precaution.

What size pot to step cat's jaws up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Cat's 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 cat's jaws

Spring or summer, while cat's 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 cat's jaws

Repot dry. Do not water cat's 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 free-draining cactus or succulent mix with added coarse grit or 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 cat's 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 cat's 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 cat's jaws

Cat's Jaws wants free-draining cactus or succulent mix with added coarse grit or perlite. A 60:40 blend of cactus compost and perlite suits this species well. Good drainage replicates its native rocky Karoo habitat. Use small terracotta pots to reduce moisture retention. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting cat's jaws — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot cat's jaws?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for cat's jaws. Repot cat's jaws every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining cactus or succulent mix with added coarse grit or 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 cat's jaws need?

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

Should you water cat's jaws after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot cat's 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 cat's jaws after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting cat's 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.