Repotting guide

When & how to repot Faucaria Tuberculosa (Faucaria tuberculosa)

Also called pebbled tiger jaws, rough tiger jaws.

More about faucaria tuberculosa

About Faucaria Tuberculosa

Faucaria tuberculosa · also called pebbled tiger jaws, rough tiger jaws · houseplant

Faucaria tuberculosa, the pebbled tiger jaws, is a clumping South African succulent whose triangular green leaves are studded with white warty tubercles and edged by soft, tooth-like spines that resemble open jaws. Small and slow, it wants bright light, gritty soil and careful watering, rewarding growers with bright yellow daisy-like autumn flowers.

Mature size: Around 8-10 cm (3-4 in) tall and spreading to 10-15 cm (4-6 in) or more as a clump.

Watch for — Overwatering and root rot: Excess water, especially during summer dormancy, makes leaves soft and split and rots the roots. Let soil dry fully, use a gritty mix, and water less in midsummer heat.

How to tell faucaria tuberculosa needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For faucaria tuberculosa, 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 faucaria tuberculosa

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Faucaria Tuberculosa's growth habit — slow, clump-forming stemless succulent that spreads into low mats of paired, jaw-like leaves. produces large, bright yellow daisy-like flowers in autumn, opening in afternoon sun. — sets the pace. Faucaria tuberculosa, the pebbled tiger jaws, is a clumping South African succulent whose triangular green leaves are studded with white warty tubercles and edged by soft, tooth-like spines that resemble open jaws. Small and slow, it wants bright light, gritty soil and careful watering, rewarding growers with bright yellow daisy-like autumn flowers.

What size pot to step faucaria tuberculosa up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Faucaria Tuberculosa 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 faucaria tuberculosa

Spring or summer, while faucaria tuberculosa 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 faucaria tuberculosa

Repot dry. Do not water faucaria tuberculosa 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/succulent mix 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 faucaria tuberculosa 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 faucaria tuberculosa 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 faucaria tuberculosa

Faucaria Tuberculosa wants gritty cactus/succulent mix. Plant in a fast-draining blend of cactus compost cut with around half pumice, perlite or coarse grit. The clumping roots rot in retentive soil. A shallow pot with ample drainage holes helps the medium dry quickly between waterings. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting faucaria tuberculosa — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot faucaria tuberculosa?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for faucaria tuberculosa. Repot faucaria tuberculosa every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty cactus/succulent mix, 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 faucaria tuberculosa need?

When is the best time of year to repot faucaria tuberculosa?

Should you water faucaria tuberculosa after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot faucaria tuberculosa 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 faucaria tuberculosa after repotting?

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