How to prune paper spine cactus

Spring, during active growing season. Using tongs or folded newspaper for grip, twist individual segments off at the joint. Detached segments are viable cuttings; allow them to callous for a few days before placing in dry soil to propagate.

As needed — segments self-detach readily; remove wayward growth in spring. Paper Spine Cactus (Opuntia articulata) has jointed, easily detachable segments. Remove individual segments by twisting them off at the joint — they detach naturally. Use tongs, not bare hands, as the papery spines still irritate skin. Prune in spring to control spread. No structural cutting is necessary for a healthy plant.

Using tongs or folded newspaper for grip, twist individual segments off at the joint. Detached segments are viable cuttings; allow them to callous for a few days before placing in dry soil to propagate.