---
title: "Help! My prickly pear cactus is unwell at the bottom but thriving at…"
description: "Help! My prickly pear cactus is unwell at the bottom but thriving at the top. I was instructed to cut the rot off but it looks like it spread. Can it be saved?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/915ZbXveGS8nk0vpYoy7xT"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Plantabetes"
published: "2026-08-14T13:37:06.856943Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pqgFj9f_A-7PlXJl4yY3F2kbvVM1wCVxpaKCGvI9QOg/_rOQIXyjTiuogyMVq_AnwQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Help! My prickly pear cactus is unwell at the bottom but thriving at…

_Posted by Plantabetes on 2026-08-14_

Help! My prickly pear cactus is unwell at the bottom but thriving at the top. I was instructed to cut the rot off but it looks like it spread. Can it be saved?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pqgFj9f_A-7PlXJl4yY3F2kbvVM1wCVxpaKCGvI9QOg/_rOQIXyjTiuogyMVq_AnwQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pqgFj9f_A-7PlXJl4yY3F2kbvVM1wCVxpaKCGvI9QOg/9xbCIKacRwS7MOdM4IsceQ.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Kelly commented on 2026-08-14

I’d remove those healthy green paddles and propagate.

#### Plantabetes replied on 2026-08-14

Thank you! 💚

### Pik commented on 2026-08-17

I agree with Kelly I had to cut the top off my prickly pear and there doing great now if you have any root hormone powder it helps keep bacteria out

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/D6rs5FJYXH-vRpQpbGgD3EA9l9zXQYs4mymD5Nznci0/2CD-RMdnTsOMINx7WZVt2w.webp?size=large)

#### Plantabetes replied on 2026-08-18

Ooh thank you, that’s really helpful!

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