What Cull Leaves works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt |
| Minecraft versions | 1.16.5, 1.17.1, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.1, 1.20.4, 1.21, 1.21.5, 1.21.8, 1.21.11 |
| Environment | Client |
Cull Leaves is a client-side Java Edition mod that stops Minecraft from rendering the interior faces of leaf blocks, the same optimization OptiFine ships as Smart Leaves. It runs on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt, and it installs on the client only since it has no effect on world data or server logic.
Loader support is not identical across builds. Fabric, Quilt, and NeoForge track current Minecraft releases, with the newest build shipping for 26.2 on July 15, 2026. The Forge branch stopped keeping pace after Minecraft 1.20.1: its most recent release, 4.1.1+1.20.1-forge, published in December 2025, is still the newest Forge build. Players on Forge past 1.20.1 will not find a matching build until the branch is ported further.
Installation
- 1.Install Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, or Quilt for the Minecraft version you want to play.
- 2.Download the Cull Leaves build for that loader from its Modrinth page.
- 3.Drop the JAR file into the mods folder of your instance.
- 4.Launch the modded profile. No extra dependency mods are required.
Client and Server Requirements
Cull Leaves only needs to be installed on the client. Server-side support is unsupported, so a multiplayer host does not need the mod, and players can add or remove it locally without coordinating with the server.
Compatibility with Sodium and Other Optimization Mods
Cull Leaves is compatible with Sodium, Canvas, and LambaBetterGrass, and it can run alongside other Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt performance mods such as Lithium and FerriteCore, since it only changes leaf-block face culling and does not touch entity, lighting, or memory systems.
The Bundled Smart Leaves Texture Pack
Cull Leaves ships with an optional included resource pack that recreates OptiFine's Smart Leaves look, trimming leaf textures down to their outer layer for a more transparent, see-through canopy. The creator also maintains a separate Better Leaves Resourcepack for players who want a more detailed pairing with the culling logic.
Questions about Cull Leaves.
5 questions
How do I install Cull Leaves?
Install Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, or Quilt for your Minecraft version, download the matching Cull Leaves build from its Modrinth page, and place the JAR in your mods folder. No dependency mods are required before launching.
Does Cull Leaves need to be installed on the server?
No. Cull Leaves is client-side only and server-side support is unsupported. Multiplayer hosts do not need to install it, and players can add or remove it on their own client without affecting other players or the world.
Is Cull Leaves compatible with Sodium?
Yes. Cull Leaves is compatible with Sodium, Canvas, and LambaBetterGrass, and it pairs cleanly with other rendering-optimization mods like Lithium and FerriteCore because it only changes how leaf block faces are culled.
Which Minecraft version does Cull Leaves support?
It depends on the loader. Fabric, Quilt, and NeoForge builds track current Minecraft releases, with the newest shipping for 26.2. The Forge branch stopped at Minecraft 1.20.1, and its last release was published in December 2025, so Forge players on newer versions will not find a matching build. Check the Modrinth versions list for the exact build.
What does the Smart Leaves texture pack included with Cull Leaves do?
It is an optional bundled resource pack that recreates OptiFine's Smart Leaves feature, trimming leaf textures to their outer layer for a thinner, more see-through canopy. It is separate from the creator's standalone Better Leaves Resourcepack.
