The crochet pattern for the crochet cactus scrubby is very simple and easy to make. You will love having a darling cactus by your sink. It would make a lovely housewarming or Mother’s Day gift, or for you to keep for yourself. Enjoy this free crochet pattern! This post includes affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Over the past few years I have fallen in love with cactuses. Yes, they have been very trendy as of late, but that’s not why I love them so much. If you have followed me on Facebook, you may have seen me mention that I am terrible with plants.
Just. Terrible. Beyond terrible actually.
I’ve actually killed spider plants and succulents, the two easiest plants to care for!
When I bought myself a couple cactuses a few years ago, I didn’t have high hopes. I thought I would give plants one more try, even a spiky, albeit un-huggable one.
And something magical happened. THEY LIVED. They lived for years and years and I found my calling in the botany world. I may not ever be the caretaker to an orchid or a fiddle leaf fig, but I can have cactuses. So I am leaning into it…hard.
Do you spy a little critter? This is a bit of a strange fact about me: as a child, my grandma had a terrarium in her front room and for some reason I loved that she had put little stone creatures throughout it. I especially loved the little frog that was almost completely hidden in the corner. So now I put small little lizards or frogs in all my pots. It’s a small (admittedly weird) thing that bring me joy.
In case you are wondering, they are just plastic dollar store critters that I spray-painted with stone-colored paint.
(Fake succulents FYI. )
My crown jewel is my beautiful air plant! It’s very large, about 6″ from tip to tip. Yes, the ends are a bit crispy but it has been alive for over 3 years in my care, so I would consider it thriving.
I have themed my entry room “desert chic” and I hope to share it with you soon. I have some finishing touches to add, like some crochet tasseled wall hangings and I would like to design a couple crochet southwestern throw pillows. When it’s done I will share the room tour with you.
For now, you can add a bit of desert chic to your kitchen with these crochet cactus scrubbies! I really wanted something that was 3-dimensional, so these scrubbies are lightly stuffed with tulle, which is perfect because it doesn’t hold water and drains very quickly.
I also recently updated the pattern with a mini size, as well as made some tweaks to the sizing of the regular sized one. The mini one is so darling and cute.
I also tried a different yarn with great success. The cactus scrubbier below I made with Lion Brand Just Hemp.

CROCHET CACTUS SCRUBBY – FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Please remember: You are free to use this crochet cactus scrubby pattern to make and sell, but do not republish or distribute this pattern in any way. DO NOT use my photos in your listings. Please do share my blog links! It’s a quick and FREE way of supporting Whistle and Ivy and more free crochet patterns in the future.
PLEASE read my Disclaimer before working my free patterns!
What you need: (affiliate links)
– 5.5 mm Hook
– Scrubby Cotton Yarn, or other natural fiber yarn
– 1/4 yard mesh/tulle fabric
– Darning Needle
– 3.5″ terra cotta pot
– Small bit of extra green cotton yarn
– Small bit of pink or red cotton yarn
Abbreviations: US Terms
Ch – chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Sl st – Slip Stitch
St – stitch
BLO – Back Loops Only
Gauge: not important
READY TO MAKE YOUR CROCHET ENDLESS?
You will LOVE The Endless Bundle – it’s literally ENDLESS! My membership program includes the entire Whistle and Ivy pattern library (to download and keep!) videos, full tutorials, courses, community, and much more.
You can also get an ad-free PDF from my shops. It’s great for crocheting on-the-go and doesn’t include comments or ads. It also includes the mini size scrubby!
Where would you like to shop today?
Whistle and Ivy Shop
Ravelry
REGULAR SIZE CACTUS SCRUBBY:
Ch 21
1. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Hdc in each ch across. Turn. (20 sts)
Your piece should be approx. 5.5″ long.
2. Ch 1. Hdc in same st. Working in BLO, Hdc in each remaining stitch, leaving last stitch unworked. Work a hdc in last st working through both loops. Turn. (20 sts)
Repeat row 2 until your piece measures 8.5″ long.
Finished rectangle should be approx. 5.5″ x 8.5″. Use your pot as a guide, your width may need to be adjusted depending on the yarn you use.

CROCHET CACTUS SCRUBBY CONSTRUCTION:
Fold your piece in half, with ribbing going vertical. Sl st the long edge, forming a tube.

Leave your piece with the seam on the outside. Using cotton yarn and a darning needle, sew a loose running stitch around one end of the tube. Pull the ends tight, cinching the ends closed.


Turn your piece inside-out. Cut your tulle into 2″ – 3″ strips (does not need to be precise or exact). Stuff the cactus with the tulle. Don’t over stuff, but stuff it until it holds its shape.

Once the cactus is stuffed, sew a loose running stitch around the opening with the same yarn. Cinch shut and tie a firm, small knot (this end will be the bottom).
Flower:
Using pink or red cotton yarn:
Begin with a magic ring
Ch 2.
*Dc into ring. Ch 3. Sl st into first ch* repeat 6. Join with first dc. Tie off.
Attach the flower to the top of the cactus with hot glue (make sure you put glue as far to the edge of the flower as possible).
The crochet cactus scrubby sits comfortably in your 3 1/2″ terra cotta pot by your sink.


It may be snowing outside right now, but my mind is on glorious crochet spring projects, how about you?
xoxo,

Oh these are so cute! I think I will try them out…
Thank you! I hope you like it!
So cute for a Mother’s Day gift !
Thank you for the free pattern.
You are welcome!
Oh and with my white cacti I used bright green tulle that bleeds through just the right amount to really resemble the white cactus I saw in my search!
Thanks for such a cute and useful pattern! I have used the green sparkly scrub-ology from HB and this time, since I happen to have some, I used the white sparkly scrub-ology! I searched white cacti first and saw some truly gorgeous ‘old man of Mexico’ cacti. I will tag you when I post them to Instagram soon! Thanks again!
That is wonderful! I would love to see!
So cute! Thank you for posting this pattern! I will probably make some for my mom. What is the name of the color of Red Heart Scrubby Cotton yarn you used for the cactus?
Thank you! I used a color called “Jade”.
I had trouble seeing the back loop if the stitch so crochet a strand of green cotton doily thread with the scrubby yarn and it made it extremely easy to see the stitch and to puck up the back loop only. You only catch glimpses of the thin strand it blends in so well when finished.
This is a great idea!!