How to Prune the Leaves of a Cactus Plant

Cactus plants with modified leaves, like the Christmas cactus, require annual pruning maintenance. Occasionally, a few of the leaves may become limp, develop discoloration or die. As the cactus grows, its branches become longer. Pruning them back once annually will encourage the cactus to produce denser growth and prevent breakage of overly long stems. The best time to prune a cactus's leaves for health or shape is in March or April after it has finished flowering for the season.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Rubbing alcohol
• Gardening gloves

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Wipe your pruning shears down with rubbing alcohol to disinfect them. Pruning with dirty shears is the best way to spread or encourage disease.

   • 2

     Put on your gardening gloves to prevent injury.

   • 3

     Grasp the leaf that you intend to prune.

   • 4

     Make the pruning cut at the base of the leaf where it connects to the leaf below it. Take care not to cut the lower leaf as you prune the leaf above it.

   • 5

     Discard diseased or damaged leaves. However, if the leaf is healthy, you can transplant it into a small pot of moist vermiculite to start a new cactus plant.