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Indulge in the world of prickly yet charming cacti with this collection of more than 35 free crochet cactus patterns. Whether you’re looking to add a fun touch to your workspace, terrace, or indoor garden, make gifts for friends, or simply want to try a new crochet project, these patterns are a lot of fun to make.
From amigurumi cacti to keychains, coasters to pillows, and even bags and beanies, this article presents a wide range of different cactus designs that you can choose from. We’ve also included crochet patterns for succulent plants for you to add to your crochet cactus garden.
So, grab your crochet hook and some yarn, and get ready to bring some desert charm into your life.
Why Crochet a Cactus?
Living cacti and succulents are popular in home decor, but if you have a black thumb or just don’t want another thing to have to take care of, crocheting a cactus garden is a fun alternative.
Amigurumi cacti are fun to make, and they’re quick and relatively easy projects to make for yourself or to give as gifts.
If you’re totally new to amigurumi, you might want to check out our Amigurumi Workshop to learn all the skills you need to make crochet toys, plants, animals, and more. You’ll also get some simple, easy to adapt patterns to get you started on your amigurumi journey.
Cactus motifs can be found on many items as well, so in addition to making 3D crochet cactus patterns, here you’ll also find home decor, hats, and appliques you can add to all sorts of other projects.
Materials for Making a Crochet Cactus Garden
First and foremost, of course, you will need yarn to make your crochet cactus patterns. Most cacti in nature are green, but when you make them yourself you can choose any colors you want.
Stitch up a succulent garden in every color of the rainbow, or make your cactus animal amigurumi (you’ll see what I mean in a minute) the color of the animal it’s based on rather than the color of a cactus.
In addition to the yarn you select, you’ll also need a crochet hook in the size recommended by the pattern. For amigurumi projects like cacti, you’ll usually want a hook a size or two smaller than what you would normally use for that weight of yarn. This makes the fabric firm so your stuff won’t fall out as easily.
Other things you’ll need to make these crochet cactus garden free patterns include:
Sometimes you may also need a “planter” for your cactus if the pattern doesn’t include a pot. You can purchase tiny terra cotta pots at craft stores, or upcycle a K-cup, a chipped coffee or tea mug, or whatever you have on hand that your plant will fit in.
These cactus crochet patterns are so fun you’re sure to have grown your own crochet cactus garden in no time!
Cute Amigurumi Cactus Patterns
Cactus amigurumi are so fun to crochet and make great gifts for kids and adults. They’re perfect for an outdoor-themed nursery, an office that’s too dark for real plants, or anywhere else you want to put them.
Crochet Cactus Pattern
Designer: Moara Crochet Designs
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK
A blooming cactus is stunning, but a cactus on the brink of blooming can be just as beautiful. This crochet Domino Cactus uses only basic crochet stitches for the body and the French knot embroidery stitch for the white spots. The pattern includes a video tutorial.
Camilla Cactus Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Spin a Yarn Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton
This charming amigurumi cactus adds a touch of nature to your workspace. This one has a bit of a cartoony look with safety eyes and embroidered features. The pot is included in the pattern.
Free Crochet Saguaro Cactus Amigurumi
Designer: A Menagerie of Stitches
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
This super easy crochet saguaro cactus pattern has clear pictures and is a beginner-friendly pattern that only uses single crochet and some front and back loop only stitches. It is ideal to start with if it’s your first time crocheting amigurumi.
Crochet Cactus in a Cup Pattern
Designer: Paper & Landscapes
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Sport
If you have a chipped or sentimental cup that you aren’t willing to part with, this is a great use for it. The pattern includes a stitched cylinder of soil to stick into your cup, and the cactus has two little flowers to brighten up your space.
Barrel Cactus
Designer: Nuria Álvarez, via Ravelry
Yarn weight: (1) Superfine
Suggested yarn: Scheepjes Cotton 8
This easy and quick crochet barrel cactus is a beautiful gift for plant lovers who don’t have green thumbs, or who don’t to get pricked by cactus spikes. This free cactus pattern includes plenty of photos, instructions in English and Spanish, and it uses both US and UK terms.
Cactus Crochet Pattern
Designer: Pops de Milk
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Super Value
This teensy barrel cactus is worked flat, with the starting chain determining how tall the cactus will be. You can make a bunch of these in different sizes for a full succulent garden for your desk or bookshelf.
Chubby Cactus
Designer: Hooked by Robin
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Hayfield Bonus Chunky
This sweet cactus will always have a smile for you when you add charming facial details, or you can leave it plain for a more realistic look. This pattern has a video tutorial that you can watch while crocheting along.
Free Crochet Cactus Pattern
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (6) Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Bernat Blanket
Hug your cactus without getting pricked with this cactus plushie. This cactus is bigger than the other patterns we’ve shared, but still a sweet size at around 10 inches tall. If you make a lot of projects with blanket yarn you can use leftovers from other projects for this one.
Crochet Cacti
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ’n Cream
Adorn your windowsill with these easy crochet cacti. This free pattern includes instructions for two designs, a prickly pear cactus and a classic cactus. Place the cacti flowers in different places for more variety.
Cactus Amigurumi
Designer: Airali Design
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Alize Cotton Gold
The stitching on this cactus is easy, but you’ll want to consult the photo tutorial in the pattern for how to finish the cactus with a fun twist. The pom pom flower on top is super cute but you could also crochet a little flower to use there.
Spiral Cactus
Designer: Nuria Álvarez, via Ravelry
Yarn weight: (1) Super fine
Suggested yarn: Scheepjes Cotton 8
This stunning spiral cactus is a must-add to your garden. The spirals are made by working on top of a series of front post double crochet stitches. The pattern illustrates how to do it, and has a few other photo tutorials to help you along.
Crochet Cactus Pincushion
Designer: Whistle & Ivy
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted
Get your sewing pins in style with this adorable cactus pincushion. If you keep your other tiny craft tools inside a Mason jar, you can glue this cactus on top of the cap.
Crochet Cactus Ornament
Designer: Whistle & Ivy
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Shine Worsted
Add a touch of desert charm to your holiday season with this mini cactus ornament, perfect for hanging on your Christmas tree. You could even embroider little ornaments on it for extra holiday cuteness.
Curious Cactus Amigurumi Patterns
If a plain cactus isn’t cute enough for you, check out this set of cactus amigurumi patterns that makes the cactus a different shape, such as a cat, heart, or gnome. So fun for cactus lovers or fans of the animal or object being cacti’ed.
Cactus Cat Amigurumi
Designer: Delilah’s Crochet
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Sirdar Happy Cotton
This sweet cat cactus (cat-cus?) even has a little tail that wraps around the pot it sits in. So cute! Try your hand at crafting this one-of-a-kind cactus with the help of the free video tutorial.
Cactus Bunny Amigurumi
Designer: i crochet things
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK
This bunny cactus is a perfect Easter decoration or gift for a nature-lover child or friend. Its charming design and soft texture are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. The little flower made with puff stitches just makes it so much cuter.
Heart Cactus Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Little World of Whimsy
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Sport
Fall for the charming shape of this crochet cactus. The tiny bit of colorwork on the pot increases the skill level a bit, but you can always make a solid color (or striped) plant pot if you would rather.
Crochet Cactus Gnome Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
This gnome has a cactus hat so he’s a perfect addition to your crochet cactus garden! The designer has made a bunch of gnomes and has video tutorials for the basic body parts if you need them.
Saint Prickolaus – Free Crochet Cactus Pattern
Designer: The Loopy Lamb
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Premium
If you live somewhere that is warm during the holiday season, a Christmas cactus might be just the thing to add to your decor! The designer has made a variety of Christmas cactus characters including a snowman and reindeer you can buy as a pattern bundle.
Cactus-Themed Crochet Projects
Bring a touch of the desert to your home with these charming cactus-themed crochet patterns. From pillows, coasters, wall hanging, and bags, you’ll find a design that’s fun to make and would make a great gift, too.
Crochet Cactus Pillow Pattern
Designer: A Crafty Concept
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted
Spice up your bed with a crochet cactus pillow. Its size is perfect for a comfortable cushion to use or hug while you rest. This pattern has a soft but bumpy texture made with bobble stitches.
Cactus Pillow
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Bernat Super Value
This simple, large scale barrel cactus pillow is easy enough for a beginner to make. It only uses double crochet and front post dc to give it the ribbed look.
Crochet Cactus Keychain Amigurumi
Designer: LovelyCraft
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Gazzal Baby Cotton
Carry a cactus wherever you go with this adorable little potted cactus keychain. This one would also be cute to use as a pincushion, and there are lots of ways you can customize the plant or pot to make it even cuter.
Mini Cactus Keychain
Designer: A Crafty Concept
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Bernat Softee Baby
This is a tiny version of the bobble cactus pillow shared above, and it would be fun to gift both of them together. Use this one as a keychain or just as decor in your cactus-themed room.
Mini Round Cactus with Flower in a Pot
Designer: DIY Fluffies
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Schachenmayr Catania
This tiny blooming cactus may just be my favorite of the keychain patterns. I love tiny projects that include lots of little details, like this one with its flower, tiny pot, and a little bit of dirt showing.
Crochet Cactus Coasters
Designer: Sewrella
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
When storing these simple circle coasters in their “pot” holder, the set looks like a cactus. The coasters are worked just in green with the white spines added with simple embroidery stitches.
Cactus Coaster Quartet
Designer: Divine Debris
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Use the tapestry crochet technique to make these coasters that illustrate different varieties of cacti. The patterns are presented as graphs but are worked just in single crochet so it’s easy to follow along.
Cactus Appliqué
Designer: The Cookie Snob
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Appliques are a fun way to add a bit of color and texture to other projects, and you can also use them to hide stains or patch holes in garments. These little cacti are worked in one piece and are super quick and easy to stitch.
Cactus Applique Pattern
Designer: damn it Janet, let’s crochet!
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Make your crochet applique a little fancier with the addition of a pot to hold your plant. This also gives you a chance to add more color, though of course you’re not limited to green for the cactus, either.
Succulent Cacti Crochet Granny Square
Designer: Sewrella
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft
Add this cactus to your collection of crochet granny squares. The design begins with crocheting the cactus, then continues by working granny stitches around it. Make a couple to use as pockets, or stitch up enough for a whole cactus blanket.
Tapestry Cactus Afghan Square
Designer: Divine Debris
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron One Pound
This project is a great one to try if you’re new to tapestry crochet. This easy technique is great for bold, graphic images like this cactus. Make a whole cactus project or mix these in with plain squares to make your blanket more fun.
Cactus C2C Crochet Graph
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Here’s another fun colorwork technique to practice on another block with a cactus. Corner to corner is a great technique to knot, and when you’re done with this block you can make a little pillow or another project for the home.
Cool Cactus Wall-Hanging Free Crochet Pattern
Designer: Divine Debris
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Elevate your home decor with a touch of Southwest charm with this crochet cactus wall hanging. This tapestry crochet pattern is worked in single crochet and uses six colors.
Cactus Tote
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ’n Cream
Express your love for cacti with this charming and practical cactus tote bag. It has a stylish design and ample space to carry all your essentials. There are lots of different skills used in this intermediate pattern including tapestry crochet from charts, embroidery, and making pompoms and fringe.
Cactus Beanie
Designer: Raffamusa
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Premier Yarns Basix DK
This cute crochet cactus hat is sized for newborns through toddlers, and uses third loop half double crochet and crochet in the back loops to make the fun texture. There are also tips for turning her slouchy crochet hat pattern into a cactus hat for bigger kids and adults if you want to make them for the whole family.
Other Plants to Add to Your Crochet Cactus Garden
Check out these patterns to add to your collection of crochet cacti. These are cute succulent plants that you can display on your work desk, bookshelf, or anywhere else that needs a little extra (not killable) life.
Cactus Garden
Designer: Spotlight
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Alpaca
Transform your room into a desert oasis with this crochet plant pot filled with cacti and succulents. It’s a fun and challenging project that’s sure to add a unique touch to your decor.
Desktop Succulent
Designer: Yarn & Chai
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Put a lovely succulent plant on your desk and forget about it getting dried out and dying. This project is made in single crochet and each piece is stitched separately, so it’s a really easy project for new crocheters.
Snake Plant Amigurumi
Designer: A Menagerie of Stitches
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable
The leaves on this snake plant are worked in a stripe pattern, but you could also use multicolored yarn to make it even easier. They also have wire on the edges so they’ll stand up nice and straight. There are lots of photos in the pattern to make it easy to follow along.
Agave
Designer: Cristina Uggeri, via Ravelry
Yarn weight: (1) Super fine
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud Fingering
This gorgeous succulent is a must-add to your collection of crochet plants. The shape is so pretty and it would also be lovely worked in different colors, where it would look more like a flower than a succulent.
Crochet Succulents
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ’n Cream
This set of three different succulent crochet patterns is great for beginners. Stitch these little plants up and you’ll be well on your way to your own crochet cactus garden.
Are You Interested in Learning More about Amigurumi?
Amigurumi plants are so fun to make, but there are lot of other things you can make with this easy technique. Learn all the skills you need to make amigurumi and design your own patterns in our Amigurumi workshop.
These tutorials will help you with the basics and the workshop includes free patterns you can practice and alter to make your own toys and dolls.
Looking for More Quick-to-Finish Projects?
Another great thing about amigurumi (and most of these other crochet cactus projects as well) is that you can finish them in a flash.
If you love projects that are done almost as soon as you start them, check out our Done in a Day pattern bundle. This collection of 90 of our most popular quick finish patterns includes blankets, bags, scarves, hats, and more, all of which you can stitch in a day or so.
