UK pruning guide · RHS timing
When to prune rose of jericho (resurrection plant) 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 rose of jericho (resurrection plant)
If any sections remain brown and do not green up after several days of hydration, snip them away with clean scissors at the base. Otherwise, leave the plant completely unpruned through its drying and revival cycles.
Rose of Jericho (Selaginella lepidophylla, a resurrection plant) needs no pruning. It naturally curls into a dry brown ball when dormant and reopens when watered. Simply remove any permanently dead or blackened tissue. There is no shaping or cutting required — its entire appeal is its natural desiccation and revival cycle.
More rose of jericho (resurrection plant) care for British gardens
Care at a glance
Pruning rose of jericho (resurrection plant) in the UK — FAQ
When should I prune rose of jericho (resurrection plant) in the UK?
Prune rose of jericho (resurrection plant) 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 rose of jericho (resurrection plant) in spring or summer in the UK?
Pruning itself is not illegal, but destroying an active nest is. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is a criminal offence to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being built or in use, and the RHS treats the nesting season as March to August, sometimes longer. Check rose of jericho (resurrection plant) for nests before cutting, and if you find an active one, leave that part of the plant until the birds have fledged.
How do you prune rose of jericho (resurrection plant)?
If any sections remain brown and do not green up after several days of hydration, snip them away with clean scissors at the base. Otherwise, leave the plant completely unpruned through its drying and revival cycles.
How often does rose of jericho (resurrection plant) need pruning in a British garden?
Never under normal conditions — only to remove permanently dead tissue. Rose of Jericho (Selaginella lepidophylla, a resurrection plant) needs no pruning. It naturally curls into a dry brown ball when dormant and reopens when watered. Simply remove any permanently dead or blackened tissue. There is no shaping or cutting required — its entire appeal is its natural desiccation and revival cycle.
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.