---
title: "I was wondering if it’s possible, and if so, how to go about pruning…"
description: "I was wondering if it’s possible, and if so, how to go about pruning the papery spikes from my pine cone cactus? Any advice is welcomed. :-)"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/4nMuDFf6tKZO9MjXjjTXDq"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "_leafeon"
published: "2026-01-21T20:01:08.507391Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Pps4-ph_EF8cPjbk3gePLr00U1yo79oAJszGz26MZjY/9iv0Rv3sQfql5wXWQJ--TQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md)

# I was wondering if it’s possible, and if so, how to go about pruning…

_Posted by \_leafeon on 2026-01-21_

I was wondering if it’s possible, and if so, how to go about pruning the papery spikes from my pine cone cactus? Any advice is welcomed. :-)

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Pps4-ph_EF8cPjbk3gePLr00U1yo79oAJszGz26MZjY/9iv0Rv3sQfql5wXWQJ--TQ.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### brittrb commented on 2026-01-21

This is such a cool cactus!

#### \_leafeon replied on 2026-01-21

Isn’t it?! I found it at my local nursery. I’m not used to cactus care because I’ve avoided them for the cats. Definitely a fun new learning curve.

#### brittrb replied on 2026-01-21

I hope to eventually get a cactus(this one is on my wishlist now) I have young kids however so I might wait until they get older

### Kevin the Ever-Green commented on 2026-01-21

From AI I hope it helps:

Yes — the papery spikes on a pine cone cactus (Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus) can be pruned, but it’s mainly a cosmetic choice, and it should be done carefully.

Before you decide  
• Those papery spines are normal and help protect the plant.  
• Removing them won’t harm the cactus if done sparingly, but heavy pruning can stress it.  
• They will not grow back once removed.

How to prune them safely

If you want to tidy the look:  
1\. Wear gloves (the spines are fragile but irritating).  
2\. Use sterilised, fine scissors or tweezers (wipe with alcohol first).  
3\. Cut or gently twist off individual papery spines close to the areole  
→ Do not dig into the green flesh.  
4\. Remove only the worst or damaged ones, not all at once.  
5\. Keep the plant dry for a few days afterward to avoid infection.

What not to do  
• ❌ Don’t pull hard — this can tear the areole  
• ❌ Don’t remove spines from the new growth tip  
• ❌ Don’t prune if the plant is stressed (overwatered, shrivelling, or cold)

A quick note on what I see

The spines look naturally aged and papery, which is normal. The small fuzzy growth at the top is healthy new growth, not a problem — avoid touching that area.

#### \_leafeon replied on 2026-01-21

Oh wow, this is good to know! Maybe I won’t do it then … between them not growing back and risking stressing the plant. I wouldn’t want to do irreversible damage.

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