Although we recommend trellising mirliton vines while they are in 3-gallon containers, some people prefer to prune them back. Pruning is safe and will result in a compact, bushy plant.
The most important point is that when you prune, leave at least three plant nodes above the soil line. Nodes are the small protrusions at the joint of the vine stem that produce branches, tendrils, leaves, and flowers. If you eliminate too many nodes, you can hurt vine growth.
Follow the nodes up the stem and prune anywhere above the third node. A “branching node” is a node where a branch has emerged. Try to leave as many of these branching nodes as possible because they will produce a stronger, bushier plant.
Every part of the plant that you prune is edible. Many people use the shoots and leaves in stir-frys.
Nodes will appear every few inches. Leave at least three nodes when pruning back.
Mimi Noug Prejean demonstrates how to prune a mirliton plant in this 90-second video here.