3 Ways to Prune Desert Rose – wikiHow

Desert roses only require minor pruning throughout the year, but you’ll need to do a heavy prune once every few years. Do a minor trim in the spring of each year to trim a few branches and keep your roses healthy. Cut away any tangled, thin, or rotting branches. You’ll know a branch is rotting if it’s dark brown, black, or yellow. Do a hard prune in the winter every 2 or 3 years to reduce the size of your roses. Aim to cut about ⅓ off each branch. Whether you’re doing a minor or major trim, always cut branches at 45-degree angles just above the flower nodes or junctions. This will encourage them to grow back healthy. Remember to use gloves when pruning, since the sap that oozes from cut branches can irritate your skin. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to sterilize your tools, read on!