China Doll Growing ‘Funny’

Question

I purchased a 4-inch potted China Doll last year. It is now about 4 inches in diameter, but has one lonely branch that is over 4 FEET tall. How do I get this plant to ‘fill out’, along with the growth. If I cut this long, tall branch, will the rest of it die?

Please help, as this is the only China Doll I have ever owned in 25 years, which actually stays alive for me. All others have only lasted a month or less.

Answer 1

Pruning of China doll plants can be done at any time. A healthy stem can be cut back to any point on that stem without harming it. The new growth will emerge just below the point of the pruning cut, so prune back to the place where you want new growth to come in.