- Sage & terracotta
- Mint & blue pot
- Olive & cream pot
- Time needed
- 1.5 hrs
- Made this
- 0 crocheters
- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn weight
- Worsted
- Hook size
- 3.5 mm
- Finished size
- About 14 cm (5½ in) tall including the pot
On this page
- Skill level
Easy
Simple stitches with a little shaping or colour change.
- Time
1.5 hrs
An average pace, including assembly.
- Use
Desk Decor
About 14 cm (5½ in) tall including the pot
About this pattern
A plant that never needs watering. The cactus has raised ribs made with a simple back-loop trick, two little arms, and a pink flower on top. It sits in a terracotta-coloured pot with a soil top.
Add a few plastic pellets to the bottom of the pot so it stands steady on a desk or a windowsill.
Why you'll love it
- Ribbed texture from a simple back-loop pattern
- Weighted pot that stands up on its own
- About 90 minutes to make
- A fun gift for plant lovers
Step progress photos
- 1
Pot base
The back-loop round in Rnd 5 makes a flat base for the pot.
- 2
Pot with soil
The pot is weighted, stuffed and closed with a brown soil top.
- 3
Cactus & arms
The body and arms are ribbed and lightly stuffed.
- 4
In bloom
Everything sewn together, with a five-petal flower on top.
Switch things up
Tall cactus
Repeat the rib round until the body has 26 rounds, and add a third arm.
Mini cactus trio
Make three bodies of 10, 14 and 18 rounds without arms, and plant them in one larger pot.
Pincushion
Stuff the body very firmly with wool roving and use it as a pincushion.
Colour ideas:
- Sage & terracotta
- Mint & blue pot
- Olive & cream pot
Common mistakes & how to fix them
- The ribs spiral around the cactus.
- This happens naturally in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker and do not worry: a gentle spiral looks natural.
- The pot will not stand up.
- Add pellets in a small bag at the bottom of the pot, and press the base flat before closing.
- The arms droop.
- Stuff the arms more firmly near the tip, and sew them on with the opening angled upwards.
Materials needed
Yarn
- Cactus: Sage greenWorsted weight · 15 g
- Pot: TerracottaWorsted weight · 12 g
- Soil: Dark brownWorsted weight · 5 g
- Flower: Pink and yellowWorsted weight · 2 g
Tools
- 3.5 mm (E/4) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Polyester fibrefill
- Plastic pellets (optional, for weight)
- Pins
Gauge & finished measurements
Gauge: Gauge is not critical. Keep your stitches tight.
| Total height | 14 cm / 5½ in |
|---|---|
| Pot diameter | 6.5 cm / 2½ in |
Row counter
Row 0
Tap the circle after each row
The pattern
Pot
With terracotta.
Info: Change to brown at the end of Rnd 13. Add the pellets now, in a small bag, then a layer of stuffing.
Cactus body
With green.
Arms (make 2) & flower
Info: Add a yellow French knot in the centre of the flower.
Assembly
- 1
Pin the open end of the body to the centre of the soil and sew it on all the way around.
- 2
Sew one arm to each side: one at Rnd 8 and one at Rnd 11, so they are at different heights.
- 3
Sew the flower to the top of the cactus.
Important notes
- Tip: The rib pattern repeats every 3 stitches. Count in threes and it becomes easy to keep track.
- Tip: Keep the pot base flat by stuffing the pot only lightly above the pellets.
- Tip: Pellets are not safe for small children. Use extra stuffing instead if the cactus is for a child.
Video tutorial
The video tutorial is being filmed
In the meantime, every stitch used in this pattern has a step-by-step guide with photos in our stitch library.
Open the stitch libraryPattern FAQ
How do I make the ribs?
Every third stitch is worked in the back loop only. Repeated over many rounds, it makes raised vertical ribs.
Do I need plastic pellets?
No, they are optional. They help the pot stand steady, but you can use only stuffing.
Can I make different cactus shapes?
Yes. Add or remove rounds for height, or make round "barrel" cacti by stopping at Rnd 10.
How do I make a French knot?
Bring the needle up, wrap the yarn around it twice, and insert it back right next to where it came out, holding the wraps.
Can I sell what I make from this pattern?
Yes. You may sell finished items made from this pattern in small handmade batches. Please credit Sweety Dreamz as the designer. Do not share, translate or resell the written pattern or its photos.
Is there a printable version?
Yes. Use the Print button at the top of the page. The print view removes ads and decorations, and you can leave out the pictures to save ink.
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Potted Cactus Crochet Pattern, © 2026 Sweety Dreamz. Source: https://sweetydreamz.com/patterns/potted-cactus-crochet-pattern/. Please do not redistribute this pattern.