Repotting guide

When & how to repot White Tiger Jaws (Faucaria candida)

Also called White Tiger Jaws, White-Flowered Tiger Jaws.

More about white tiger jaws

About White Tiger Jaws

Faucaria candida · also called White Tiger Jaws, White-Flowered Tiger Jaws · houseplant

Faucaria candida is a small, clump-forming South African succulent with fleshy, toothed leaves arranged in opposing pairs that resemble an open jaw. It is distinguished from the common tiger jaws by its pure white autumn flowers with a yellow centre. It thrives in full sun with minimal water and a cool, dry winter rest.

Mature size: Individual rosettes 5–8 cm wide; mature clumps spread 15–20 cm across

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: The most common problem, especially in winter. The base of the plant becomes mushy and the leaves collapse. Always let soil dry fully between waterings and reduce watering to near-zero in cool months.

How to tell white tiger jaws needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For white 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 white tiger jaws

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. White Tiger Jaws's growth habit — clump-forming rosette succulent; leaves grow in opposite pairs, each armed with soft, tooth-like marginal projections — sets the pace. Faucaria candida is a small, clump-forming South African succulent with fleshy, toothed leaves arranged in opposing pairs that resemble an open jaw. It is distinguished from the common tiger jaws by its pure white autumn flowers with a yellow centre. It thrives in full sun with minimal water and a cool, dry winter rest.

What size pot to step white 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. White 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 white tiger jaws

Spring or summer, while white 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 white tiger jaws

Repot dry. Do not water white 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 well-draining cactus compost 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 white 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 white 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 white tiger jaws

White Tiger Jaws wants well-draining cactus compost. Grow in a proprietary cactus compost or blend 2 parts standard potting mix with 1 part coarse grit or perlite. Fast drainage is essential; standing water at the roots, especially in winter, is fatal. Terracotta pots are preferred over plastic. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting white tiger jaws — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot white tiger jaws?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for white tiger jaws. Repot white tiger jaws every 2–3 years into a snug pot of well-draining cactus compost, 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 white tiger jaws need?

When is the best time of year to repot white tiger jaws?

Should you water white tiger jaws after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot white 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 white tiger jaws after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting white 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.