How to prune finger cactus

Spring, if dead or damaged growth needs removing. With thick gloves and a sterile knife, cut away dead or rotted tissue cleanly. If separating healthy offsets for propagation, twist or cut them off at the base and allow to callous for several days in a dry, bright spot before potting.

Rarely — only when dead, damaged, or rotting tissue is present. Finger Cactus (Mammillaria vetula) is a small, cylindrical cactus that requires no routine pruning. Its natural form should be left intact. The only useful intervention is removing dead, damaged, or heavily rotted sections with a sterilized blade. Offsets can be detached if propagation is the goal.

With thick gloves and a sterile knife, cut away dead or rotted tissue cleanly. If separating healthy offsets for propagation, twist or cut them off at the base and allow to callous for several days in a dry, bright spot before potting.