Hi Daisy,

You can prune and shape a Crown of Thorns Plant (Euphorbia Milii) after it has finished blooming.  Milky sap will seep out from the cuts in the stems, this can cause dermatitis if it gets on the skin and temporary blindness if it gets in the eyes. The sap is poisonousPlants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Some plants contain chemicals such as oxalates, solanine, glycosides, or alkaloid lycorine that may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the mouth, throat, and lips, and trouble breathing. Touching parts of certain plants, especially the sap, may cause various skin irritations. The weight and age of the human or pet involved, and the part and amount of plant eaten determine how severe the reaction to the toxins will be. Although plants may be listed as non-toxic, they can still cause individual allergic reactions. If there is any question after a houseplant has been ingested or touched immediately call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 The Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Paperback]is an excellent reference to keep around if you have young children and pets. if ingested. You should cut the stems back to axillary buds or you can remove entire branches to open the plant up and encourage new growth. Start your pruning with any weak or thin branches that are visible. You can read more about Crown of Thorn Plants in the Popular HousePlant section HousePlant411.com website.

Crown of Thorns Plant
Euphorbia Milii