How to Prune a Blue Potato Plant

Cut off any branches or stems that have died or been damaged, using a pair of pruning shears, each spring. Make the snip at the very base of the branch you wish to remove. This leaves room for new growth, freeing up space previously occupied by unproductive shoots. The increased airflow will prevent disease and encourage future blooming.

Trim extra-long branches whenever necessary. The blue potatobush has a tendency to sprawl, often resulting in long, vinelike branches that mar the otherwise orderly look of your garden or flowerbed. Cut these back as soon as you notice excess growth -- the plant can withstand regular pruning.

Prune the blue potatobush to conform to your desired shape. Some gardeners trim away all lower branches and cut the upper growth into a spherical shape, giving the bush the appearance of a tiny tree. Because the bush handles pruning so well, you can even treat it as topiary, fearlessly cutting it any way you wish.