How to prune pencil cactus rhipsalis

Spring. Pinch or snip individual stems back to a node or junction point using clean scissors. The plant will branch from the cut point. Removed segments can be laid on barely moist cactus mix to propagate — no callous period needed for Rhipsalis cuttings.

As needed — light tidying once a year or when stems become unruly. Rhipsalis cereuscula is a delicate epiphytic cactus that rarely needs pruning. If stems become excessively long, straggly, or damaged, trim individual branches back to a node with clean scissors or fingers in spring. This tidies the plant without harming it. No hard pruning or shaping is needed for healthy specimens.

Pinch or snip individual stems back to a node or junction point using clean scissors. The plant will branch from the cut point. Removed segments can be laid on barely moist cactus mix to propagate — no callous period needed for Rhipsalis cuttings.