How to prune hedgehog cactus

Spring to early summer for pup removal; damaged tissue any time. Wear thick gloves and use sterilised shears. Twist or cut pups cleanly at their attachment point. Let both parent and pup wounds callous for 2–3 days in a dry, bright spot before potting.

Rarely — as needed for damage or to separate crowded pups. Hedgehog Cactus (Echinopsis subdenudata) requires minimal pruning. Do not cut the ribbed body for cosmetic reasons. Remove only dead or rotting pads and any mushy root-collar tissue. Offsets (pups) can be detached at the joint with a clean blade and potted separately if the clump becomes overcrowded.

Wear thick gloves and use sterilised shears. Twist or cut pups cleanly at their attachment point. Let both parent and pup wounds callous for 2–3 days in a dry, bright spot before potting.