Easy DIY Giant Paper Mache Cactus

Learn how to make giant paper mache cacti for stunning home or event decor! Our step-by-step guide will show you how to craft these eye-catching decorations from simple materials, perfect for adding a unique touch to any space.

I have a bit of a thing about cacti and succulents and love cactus-themed crafts. My cactus crafting went supersized with this giant paper mache cactus.

I love the giant, but I can't justify the cost of buying one, real or artificial, and I don't have the greenest fingers.

So I decided that I would only get a giant cactus by making one. I've made mini plastic bottle succulents, and a repurposed felt succulent garden before, but never something on this scale.

This is such a fun craft that I shared the experience with my friend Wendy on one sunny day. We made a giant paper mache cactus each. These weren't ordinary cacti; we pimped them with paper napkins.

After making Marimekko shoes a couple of weeks ago, we thought decorating our cacti with Marimekko paper napkins would be fun.

DIY Giant Paper Mache Cactus

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What You Need

• Plaster of Paris
• Plant pot for mixing the plaster
• Old bucket
• Large stick (broom handle)
• Chicken wire
• Craft wire or thin wire
• Masking tape
• Newspapers
• Green tissue paper
• Napkins for decoration - I used Marimekko ones. (optional)
• PVA glue / white craft glue
• Waterproof PVA Glue or Mod Podge
• Glue brush/ foam pad

Any old stick or broom handle will do. Bear in mind this will determine the height of your cactus.

The chicken wire I used was just an old roll I scrounged from my local junk shop. As I use a lot of PVA/white glue for my crafts, I buy it in large tubs from the DIY store as that's much cheaper than buying it from craft stores.

 For these cacti, we used Marimekko napkins and some green pear print napkins from IKEA; one packet should be plenty for each cactus.
 

How to Make a Giant Paper Mache Cactus

Step 1: First, to create a firm base, you need to set your stick in Plaster of Paris into a pot/small bucket.

To do this, mix Plaster of Paris according to the packet's instructions. Pull your stick up in the creamy mixture, use a table or chair, and tie it with string.

You want to make sure your stick remains upright as the plaster sets.

Step 2: Once the stick has been set, use the chicken wire to create a frame.

To do this, wrap the chicken wire around the stick to the desired thickness and taper the top. Then with more chicken wire, create two arms and attach them to the frame with loose bits of wire.

Chicken wire is straightforward to manipulate into shape.

Step 3: Next, the gaps in the chicken wire can be pretty large and, thus, challenging to paper mache straight onto the frame. To fix this, use masking tape.

Cover the wire cactus frame in strips of masking tape about 2 cm apart. This will then provide a surface for the newspaper to adhere to the structure.

Step 4: Cut the newspaper into strips approximately 3cm X 20cm. Paste the PVA glue onto the newspaper strips and stick them to the frame until covered.

Step 5: Once the paper mache has dried, dilute your PVA glue two parts glue to 1 part water. Cut your tissue paper into strips approx 3cm X 10cm. This time paint the diluted glue onto the newspaper layer and then place the tissue paper on top until completely covered. Leave to dry.

Top Tip: Tissue paper decoupage is very delicate, so it's best to use diluted glue. Also, apply the glue to the object rather than the tissue paper.

Step 6: Use the paper napkins for the final paper mache layer/decoupage. Most napkins are three-ply; separate your napkins to use only the top printed ply.

This time doesn't cut the napkins into strips but tears them to get a feathered edge. (Wetting the napkins with a brush makes them easier to tear). Find more about paper napkin decoupage here.

Cover your cactus in the napkins using the same glue mixture and method with the tissue.

Step 7: Finally, when the napkin layer is dry, cover the whole cactus with waterproof PVA/ Mod Podge. This will give it a protective finish.

Waterproof glue is thicker than regular glue. It's best to apply with a foam brush to avoid tearing the napkins. The glue will appear white when applied but don't worry, as it dries clear.

Conclusion & Other Posts

These cactus are a fun decoration; they look great in the garden for a summer party. You could have them casually in your home for a unique decoration.

The cacti could be used as an unusual hat/coat stand. The green pear one is for my son's room, which has just been revamped with a cacti theme.

The Marimekko cacti are my favourite as I love a Marimekko craft even more than cacti crafts. This one will look great with my Marimekko tin can planters in the garden.

If you want to start smaller with your paper mache projects, then perhaps try these paper mache teacups first. I also have a tutorial on how to make a paper mache bowl and then decoupage it. There is also a tutorial for a stunning watercolour 3D paper Mache heart wall decoration.

There are many more Marimekko crafts here, paper decoration ideas and other fun adult summer crafts.