UK pruning guide · RHS timing
When to prune cat's jaws in the UK
Why the timing differs here
For shrubs that flower on the current season's growth, the RHS times pruning to early or mid spring — after severe weather has passed and once the growth buds begin to swell. In Britain that is usually March into April rather than the February common in warmer regions; prune too early and the new shoots meet a late frost.
How to prune cat's jaws
Gently peel away any fully desiccated outer leaves at the base. Do not cut or trim the fleshy leaf pairs — the plant's natural growth form cannot be improved by shaping, and cutting causes ugly scarring.
Cat's Jaws (Faucaria felina) is a compact mesemb that needs no pruning. The toothed, fleshy leaves grow in tight opposing pairs and must not be cut. Simply remove any completely dried or dead outer leaves by peeling them gently away. After flowering in autumn, spent blooms wither naturally without any deadheading needed.
More cat's jaws care for British gardens
Care at a glance
- When to prune cat's jaws in the UK — our other guide for the same plant
- General cat's jaws pruning guide
- RHS hardiness ratings explained
Pruning cat's jaws in the UK — FAQ
When should I prune cat's jaws in the UK?
Prune cat's jaws in early to mid spring. For shrubs that flower on the current season's growth, the RHS times pruning to early or mid spring — after severe weather has passed and once the growth buds begin to swell. In Britain that is usually March into April rather than the February common in warmer regions; prune too early and the new shoots meet a late frost.
Is it illegal to prune cat's jaws in spring or summer in the UK?
There is no nesting-bird restriction that realistically applies to cat's jaws, since birds do not nest in it. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 still protects any active nest you do find anywhere in the garden — the rule is about the nest, not the plant.
How do you prune cat's jaws?
Gently peel away any fully desiccated outer leaves at the base. Do not cut or trim the fleshy leaf pairs — the plant's natural growth form cannot be improved by shaping, and cutting causes ugly scarring.
How often does cat's jaws need pruning in a British garden?
Rarely — only when dead leaves are present. Cat's Jaws (Faucaria felina) is a compact mesemb that needs no pruning. The toothed, fleshy leaves grow in tight opposing pairs and must not be cut. Simply remove any completely dried or dead outer leaves by peeling them gently away. After flowering in autumn, spent blooms wither naturally without any deadheading needed.
Why is UK pruning timing different from American advice?
Most pruning guides online are written for US conditions and anchored to USDA zones. Britain's maritime climate gives milder winters but later, less predictable last frosts — from March in the south-west to mid-May in the north — so the RHS advises against winter pruning for most plants: it pushes out soft growth that a late frost then kills. Britain also has the nesting-bird law, which has no US equivalent.