How to Prune Cacti in Pots

Potted cacti are low-maintenance houseplants that can thrive in sun or shade and with infrequent waterings. The cacti do not usually require pruning, but you can do so if you need to control the size of the cactus or take cuttings. Branched cacti or columnar cacti that are producing asymmetrical offshoots can all be pruned. Always use a sharp knife when pruning potted cacti. Once you remove the excess branches, you can pot them up and they should grow.

Things You'll Need

• Gardening gloves
• Sharp knife

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Put on gardening gloves. Potted cactus spines are sharp and can injure you as you try to prune the plant.

   • 2

     Hold the branch you want to cut off with one hand. Press the knife into the joint between the branch and the main stem, or between the oval pad and the next oval pad.

   • 3

     Cut through the joint and remove the excess branch. Always prune cacti by cutting off the shoots, branches or pads at a joint. Continue until you have removed all the excess growth and the cactus is the size you want.