How to prune claret cup cactus

Late spring, after flowering has finished. Use sterilised narrow pruners or scissors to sever a dead or damaged stem cleanly at its base. Wear thick gloves to protect against the dense spines. Allow the cut to callous before watering.

As needed — only to remove dead or damaged stems. Claret Cup Cactus naturally forms tight clumps of cylindrical stems and needs very little pruning. You can remove dead or damaged stems at their base to keep the clump tidy. Pruning is not required for flowering or health — this species blooms reliably on its own without any cutting.

Use sterilised narrow pruners or scissors to sever a dead or damaged stem cleanly at its base. Wear thick gloves to protect against the dense spines. Allow the cut to callous before watering.